WEDDING CUSTOMS OF THE SWEDISH IMMIGRANTS

AFTER THE DECISION TO MARRY IS MADE BY A SWEDISH
COUPLE, APPROVAL MUST BE SOUGHT FROM THE PARENTS. THE
PARENTS THEN SET THE DATE FOR THE ENGAGEMENT AS WELL
AS THE WEDDING AND HOLD A PARTY ON THE DAY OF ENGAGE-
MENT.
AFTER THE WEDDING RITES THERE IS ANOTHER PARTY AT
WHICH THE NEW BRIDE IS OBLIGED TO DANCE THE FIRST DANCE
WITH HER FATHER AND THE GROOM LIKEWISE HAS THE FIRST
DANCE WITH THE BRIDE'S MOTHER. THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE,
DURING THE DANCE, LEADS THE GROOM TO THE ELDERS OF THE
SWEDISH COMMUNITY WHO TAKE HIM TO ANOTHER ROOM. THE
BRIDE'S FATHER LEAVES HER AND LEADS THE ELDERS IN
QUESTIONING OF THE GROOM. THE QUESTIONS PERTAIN TO
HOW THE GROOM WILL TREAT THE FATHER'S DAUGHTER AND
EACH QUESTION IS ACCOMPANIED WITH A SHOT OF WHISKEY.
BY THE TIME THE FATHER RUNS OUT OF QUESTIONS, THE
GROOM IS CONSIDERABLY DRUNK. HE IS THEN DRAGGED TO THE
FEET OF HIS NEW BRIDE AND THE BRIDE IS OBLIGED TO
CARRY HER HUSBAND OUT AND HOME BY HERSELF.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF MR. SANBORN WHO
MARRIED A GIRL FROM THE SWEDISH COMMUNITY OF HARRIS,
MINNESOTA.

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; WISCONSIN ; WEST BEND ; HARRIS

Date learned: 09-30-1967