The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GERMAN WEDDING CUSTOM

ON THE EVE OF A GERMAN WEDDING (IN GERMANY) THE FRIENDS
OF THE GROOM STEAL THE BRIDE AWAY FROM HER HOUSE AND
THE GROOM MUST LOOK FOR HER TILL HE FINDS HER. USUALLY
HE IS EXPECTED TO FIND HER BEFORE MIDNIGHT. THE
CUSTOM IS MORE OF A TRADITIONAL PRACTICAL JOKE THAN A
SYMBOL.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HIS GERMAN
PARENTS AS A YOUNG BOY IN OWOSSO, MICHIGAN WHICH IS
A STRONGLY GERMAN COMMUNITY. IT IS NOT DONE AS MUCH
HERE AS IT WAS IN GERMANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; OWOSSO

Date learned: 12-22-1963