Mennonite Wedding Gifts

Wedding cake is served at most Mennonite weddings.

Mennonite weddings typically include most customs of traditional American weddings, but on a simplified scale. A small rehearsal dinner, a basic ceremony with flowers, a reception with gifts at the church meeting hall are all trademarks of a Mennonite wedding.

History

Historically, Mennonite wedding gifts were practical in value and wrapped in plain, brown wedding paper, a symbol of the simple lifestyle of the Mennonite faith. The gifts were to be used as the young couple set up house.

Types

Contemporary Mennonite wedding gifts often come from the couple's gift registry at local department stores and do not differ much from gifts any other couple would receive.

A Unique Option

Mennonite wedding customs typically involve small wedding favors, valued at $1 to $2, from the couple to each guest. Stephanie Hirschler Honderich and Michael Honderich decided to contribute the money that would have gone toward trinkets to worthy causes of art and education. Another relative matched the fund, which added additional punch to the Honderich's gift.

References

• The Mennonite: A Wedding Registry with the Earth in Mind
• Relijournal: Marriage in the Amish and Mennonite Communities
• Google Books: The Waterloo Mennonites - a Community in Paradox