The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GRAND MARCH

ALTHOUGH THE GRAND MARCH WAS ORIGINALLY A POLISH
WEDDING CUSTOM, IT IS NOW A COMMON SIGHT AT
ALMOST ANY WEDDING. WHILE THE BAND PLAYS A GAY
MARCH THE BRIDE AND GROOM JOIN HANDS AND WITH
THE BRIDESMAIDS AND USHERS BEHIND THEM, THE WEDDING
GUEST BEHIND THEM IN COUPLES, THEY BEGIN TO MARCH
ALL OVER THE HALL, SOMETIMES OUTSIDE AND BACK
INSIDE AGAIN. AFTER A WHILE THE BRIDE AND GROOM
STOP AND FORM AN ARCH WITH THEIR ARMS, AND LET THE
NEXT COUPLE PASS UNDER THE ARCH THEY HAVE MADE, BUT
NOT BEFORE THE USHER KISSES THE BRIDE AND THE
BRIDESMAID KISSES THE GROOM. THE SECOND COUPLE
THEN FORMS AN ARCH WITH THEIR ARMS AND THE SAME
THING HAPPENS WITH THE FOLLOWING COUPLES UNTIL
THE END OF THE LINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WAYNE

Date learned: 09-20-1969