It has happened! The young lovers Arent Simonszoon and Brechje Jansdatter from the Noord-Hollandse Broek in Waterland promised each other eternal fidelity on this sunny Sunday in 1610. The whole village turned out for this peasant couple. A report of an exuberant party.
The preparations for this day have been going on for weeks, since the couple got married. Officially, only 40 wedding guests are allowed, to prevent disturbances from drunken guests. But the couple, like so many bridal couples, doesn't care about that law. All friends, family and acquaintances are invited. Two playboys and two playgirls, the masters of ceremonies, helped the newlyweds. The farm is decorated with green garlands, outside tables are ready. Behind the bride's chair hangs a wedding robe and above it hangs a large green bridal crown made of woven palm branches.
Groom Arent, farmer's son, wears a dark suit. Farmer's daughter Brechje wears her mother's wedding dress, with a tight bodice and a wide floral skirt. That the bride has just become pregnant is not a problem, because now the groom knows for sure that he is not marrying a barren woman. In the afternoon Brechje's family takes her in a procession to the village, where Arent is waiting for her. A niece scatters flowers. The procession enters the church. The pastor marries the young couple. Arent gives Brechje a silver ring, which she puts around her thumb, as a symbol that she now belongs to Arent.
When Brechje sits on her effervescent chair at the party, the gifts appear. The newlyweds receive a crib and a diaper basket for the baby, plates, tools and a churn. Meanwhile, bagpipe music is played. The guests drink beer and dance more and more exuberantly. There is delicious food:rice pudding with butter, sugar and cinnamon, peas with raisins and pancakes. Brechje's parents pay for the feast.
The party lasts for an hour or so. Then it's time for the wedding night. The guests and musicians dance the bride to the large bed, which is decorated with leaves and flowers. It is quiet in the village. But tomorrow, as usual, there will be a whole day of partying!