Décor: A canopy of fragrant evergreens meaning "everlasting love" was where the bride and groom would sit following their ceremony to receive best wishes and gifts from their friends.  A pine tree is planted outside the newlyweds' home as a symbol of fertility and luck.

BRIDAL SHOWER:
The tradition of bridal showers originated in Holland. Legend has it that a Dutch girl wished to marry a poor miller's son, but her father disapproved of the union, and refused to provide a dowry. The girl's friends took it upon themselves to get her everything required to start her new home.

This custom became popular in Holland, and whenever a father disapproved of his daughter's choice of suitor, the girl’s friends would make sure that she could get married without her father's help. Each friend helping a bride prepare for her wedding would bring a small gift, and in the 1800's, the trend was to place the gifts inside a small parasol, and later open it over the girl's head -- letting this ‘shower ‘of gifts fall upon the bride.

The days before a wedding would be filled with dinner-parties. The couple would spend their time organizing the wedding banquet and planning their wedding attire, and guests would visit the bride's home.

The day before the wedding, the door of the bride’s house would be painted green, and flowers would be scattered along the bride and groom's path as they made their way to the wedding ceremony venue.

WEDDING RITUALS
On the wedding day, the bridesmaids would introduce the guests, make seating arrangements and escort people to their seats, and would ensure that everybody was having a good time. They would also decorate the groom's pipe -- a valuable family heirloom -- with garlands and ribbons.

The bridesmaids would also prepare a basket for the bride, decorating it with the couple's initials and filling it with flowers and garlands. They would arrange a lace collar and cuffs -- presents from the bride to her groom -- into another basket.
 
The groom's clothes would be in keeping with his social standing, and often passed down from generation to generation.  The girl would traditionally wear a bride's dress, which was not necessarily an actual wedding dress. The gown would be as expensive as the family's income would allow, and would be worn with gloves and a fan, traditionally -- but brides of lesser means would opt for a black dress that could later be worn to funerals, and would forego the accessories. All brides, however, would wear a veil.

Traditionally, the marriage ceremony was performed in public. It would start with a reading from the scriptures, followed by the singing of psalms. The bridal party would enter the church, followed by the bride, the groom, and their parents. The pastor would be last to enter. Marriage vows would be read, an oath would be taken, and after the singing of psalms, money would be collected for the poor.

A canopy of fragrant evergreens meaning “everlasting love” was where the bride and groom would sit following their ceremony to receive best wishes and gifts from their friends.

POST WEDDING RITUALS
After the ceremony, the bride and groom would lead a procession to the bride's home, where a large feast awaited.

Sugar cake, marzipan, sugared almonds, and a variety of heavy food and sweet cordials would be served. Two traditional items served at Dutch wedding celebrations are 'bridal sugar' and 'bride's tears.' Bridal sugar -- a traditional wedding favour -- is a type of sweet candy. Five pieces of candy -- representing love, happiness, loyalty, prosperity and virility -- are wrapped in tulle. 'Bridal tears' consist of a little bottle of spiced wine containing real gold leaves, which represent tears.

A large silver bowl filled with brandy and raisins would be passed around, and guests would drink and sing, as the bride and groom sat under a canopy of fragrant evergreens symbolizing everlasting love. Guests would offer the newlyweds best wishes and gifts -- which would be unwrapped immediately. Traditionally, in Holland, someone receiving a gift shows it to the other guests and passes it around. People are thanked on the spot.

After the wedding, the bride and groom would plant lilies-of-the-valley around their house to symbolize 'the return of happiness.’ This custom ensures that the couple's love is renewed with each blooming season.