Marriage

1. Marriage France during the 19th century Customs

2. 1820's-Romantic Era began More focus on the romantic love in literature Marriage was supposed to be expression of romantic love Romantic and marital themes in literature affected the thoughts of young women and their anxieties towards it Marriage was more idealized during this era expectation that it would provide enrichment, blissful happiness, and constant doting During Romantic era in France, more people got married and they were marrying at younger ages between 1835-1885, average age at first marriage went from 25.5 years, to 24 and under

3. COURTSHIP- the art of courting rituals of courtship really begin once the couple is engaged Engagement period: usually 3 weeks to a month long man had to ask permission from the girl's parents only after her parents approve are they officially engaged man usually send a white bouquet to his fiancée before his first formal visit to her home if he is wealthy, he will send one everyday until the wedding (and maybe to his future-mother-in-law too)

4. supervised by a chaperone (most likely the girl’s mother) expression of affection was prohibited lady supposed to exhibit reserve in presence of her fiancé Couple could never go out late at night Considered impolite for the man to stay at his girlfriend's home when the man said good night to the girl, he could never go past the parlor door, the servant would see him out gentleman could only see their significant other with her and her mother's permission young women expected to symbolized innocence and virginity

5. supervised by a chaperone (most likely the girl’s mother) expression of affection was prohibited lady supposed to exhibit reserve in presence of her fiancé Couple could never go out late at night Considered impolite for the man to stay at his girlfriend's home gentleman could only see their significant other with her and her mother's permission young women expected to symbolized innocence and virginity

6. What’s in the Marriage A "good" marriage was usually one that involved social advancement A man would marry a girl on the basis of how large of a dowry her parents could pay or her name, reputation, class, and/or beauty (sometimes a woman's beauty would even outweigh her wealth) From early childhood girls were taught marriage matters most in life and learned domestic chores, etiquette, culture, arts, music, hygiene, child rearing women were also very attracted to prospect of marriage because it usually brought freedom, a husband to love, a heightened social position, and more money

7. MARRIAGE CONTRACT- behind the vows husband and wife owe each other fidelity, support and assistance a husband must protect his wife; a wife must be obedient to her husband WIFE- bound to live and to follow her husband wherever he he deems proper to live. Husband- bound to take her in and supply her with a livelihood, accoding to his means and conditions Woman was given no legal or economic rights

8. irony was that most women had perceived marriage to be "the image of a loving partnership and mutual trust" because of Romanticism Marriage technically was not a voluntary commitment; rather it was a negotiation between two families Consent of marriage was not given my the woman in acceptance of a man's proposal marriage was ultimately decided on my the parents according to their criteria Children expected to directly follow marriage

9. WEDDING CUSTOMS French Wedding Dress brides wore just about any color for their wedding including black if the intended bridegroom was a widower usually took their best dress and elaborated it with jewelry, embroidery, laces, and other ornamental objects Bridal trousseau and wedding armoire When French brides went to their new home with their new husband, they brought their clothes and other meager possessions with them in a small bundle. a wedding armoire, a.k.a. hope chest, used for bride's trousseau (bundle of clothing) as the bride to be grew up she filled the box made by her father with her own wardrobe that she took to her new home

11. Wedding Precession the groom would call on his future wife on the morning of their wedding day and escort her to the wedding chapel the procession will be headed by musicians, followed behind by the bride with her father, guests and the groom with his mother at the end of the line French village children would also block the bridal couple's way and have white ribbons which the bride must cut- a symbolic obstacle created for the wedding couple to overcome together and signify their common path in a new life As the newlywed couple departs from the wedding site, laurel leaves are scattered in their path for them to walk over

12. Wedding Ceremony church filled with incense and flowers couple stand beneath a silk canopy while a square of silk fabric or "carre" held over the head of teh bride and groom as the couple received the priest's final blessing (used to protect the couple from descending malice) rice or wheat (symbol for prosperity and fertility) showered over the couple the couple walk through a flower arch or over laurel leaves scattered in their path the bridal bouquet w/ fragrant flowers was believed to ward off evil spirits and help freshen up the atmosphere the popular orange blossoms represent fertility and prosperity

13. Wedding Reception wedding guests would bring small cakes and stacked them in a pile as high as possible on the corner of a table if bride and groom could kiss over them without knocking them over it symbolized a lifetime of prosperity the newlyweds would toast to each other from engraved, two-handled cups, usually a family heirloom passed from generation to generation Garter (La jarretière) the best man was in charge of stealing it off from the bride or the groom would take it off and sell it into small pieces to wedding guests pieces of brides garter would bring good luck to whoever caught it

14. Chiverie (Le Charivari) a wedding night prank a crowd forms in the middle of the night clanging pots and pans to interrupt the wedding couple on their wedding night the couple is expected to appear in their wedding clothes and provide drinks and snacks for them at first it was merely practiced for widows or widowers getting remarried. the groom had to pay fines called la peloto and invite all the young men from teh bride's village for refreshments later it became known as the shivaree often used as a ritual humiliation of the bride and groom