How to Dress for an Amish Wedding

Amish people traditionally dress very simply - even for their weddings - as a way to express their faith and humility.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pattern Patterns
• Amish Caps
• Black Hats
• Blue Fabrics
• Aprons

Groom and Ushers

1. Plan for the groom and his newehockers (which means side sitters, or wedding party) to wear black suits.

2. Fasten all of the coats with hooks and eyes, instead of buttons, as is the Amish way.

3. Expect all of the men to wear bow ties for the special occasion, even though this is unusual for Amish men.

4. Select high-top black shoes for the groom.

5. Ask all of the men to wear black hats with a 3 1/2-inch brim.

Bride and Attendants

1. Expect the bride to wear a new blue dress. This is the most popular color for an Amish wedding dress.

2. Be creative with the shade of blue. The whole spectrum is acceptable - from sky blue to midnight blue to navy.

3. Help the bride make her own dress, which should be in a simple style without a train or trim. The dress should be mid-calf length.

4. Understand that after the wedding, the bride will wear the dress for church on Sundays. She will also be buried in this dress.

5. Suggest that the bride make her attendants' dresses.

6. Remember that all of the women in the wedding will wear aprons and caps.

7. Realize that the bride's cap will be black instead of the usual white, to signify the special occasion.

8. Remind the bride to wear high-top black shoes like the groom's.

Tips & Warnings

• Amish men do not have mustaches but they do grow a beard after marriage.

• Amish women never cut their hair. They wear it coiled into a bun secured at the back of the head.

• No one in the wedding party carries flowers.