Norwegian Wedding & Engagement Traditions

Norwegian wedding bands favor simple lines in precious metals. This gorgeous mens tri-gold wedding band fits the style perfectly. Click here to view our selection of mens wedding bands. Photo ©EraGem Jewelry.   Norwegian wedding customs continue to evoke bygone eras. Norway, the land of "magnificent glaciers flowing waterfalls and mountain peaks dipping their toes in the fjords" proves a prime source for medieval wedding inspiration (source). If you love Viking boats, exquisite craftsmanship, and traditions rooted in storytelling and superstition, then look no further than Norway.  

Norwegian Engagement Traditions

According to custom, Norwegian couples begin preparing for marriage once the families approve of their engagement. Although Norwegian couple rarely wear engagement rings, many couples wear their wedding rings on their left hands in the months leading up to the ceremony. Norwegians also dispense with proposals. Instead, their friends and families host a huge feast in their honor. In the days following their party, the groom showers his bride with gifts to demonstrate his continued intention to marry her. During this season of engagement, Norwegian brides knit socks and mittens for each of her fiance's relatives. Norwegians place a high value on their daughters, so this offering of handmade gifts represented the entire dowry offered to the groom's family.  

The Morning Of

On the morning of the appointed wedding day, the groom arrives, accompanied by his clansmen, at the door of his bride's home. He wears a bunad (a woolen suit), a white silk shirt, short pants, calf-length stockings, a vest, and a top coat. His bride's father opens the door and offers him a stein of beer. After taking a sip, the groom asks one more time, not only her father, but all of her relatives in attendance, for permission to marry his sweetheart. With this final consent, the bride steps out onto the porch. Though some devoutly traditional brides wear the traditional bridal bunad (a handmade dress of dark blue or black wool embroidered in traditional Norwegian decor), most modern Norwegian brides wear a bridal gown in white or silver. Atop her head, every Norwegian bride wears a crown of gold or silver laced with spoon-like bangles. These bangles produce a melodic sound as the bride moves about, serving to ward off evil spirits. At this point, someone sounds the lur, a traditional Norwegian horn, to announce the commencement of the wedding festivities. Following the blowing of the horn, someone slams the front door of the house three times to send any lurking evil spirits scattering. Side by side, bride and groom set off down the path toward the church. A fiddler leads a procession of their closest friends and family members trailing behind. Their remaining relatives remain at the bride's home until after the ceremony. (source)  

A Norwegian Wedding Ceremony

During the ceremony, the bride and groom exchange wedding rings. As is customary in many European countries, they wear their wedding bands on their right ring fingers. Next, they exchange a traditional kiss, symbolic of the endless commingling of their souls one with the other. Directly following the ceremony, the wedding party returns to the bride's home for the reception and feast. These raucous parties often extend well into the wee hours of the next morning. Many toasts are made, including a speech in honor of the chefs and servers. At some point following the meal and toasts, the bride and groom cut their wedding cake.  

Traditional Norwegian Wedding Cakes

Norwegians favor several types of wedding cakes. For example, the Brudlaupskling features a baked flour cake drizzled in a mixture of cheese, cream, and syrup. Another type, the Kransekake, features a stack of macaroon rings layered one atop another descending sizes. The end result favors a a fluted pyramid decorated with candy, flowers, and the Norwegian flag. Some brides choose to engage in the custom of lifting the top ring off the pyramid. The number of rings she pulls off with it are said to represent the number of children they will have.  

Kisses & Cheese

The dancing commences shortly afterward. During the dance, the wedding guests shout out to the bride and groom. In response, the bride and groom must stand atop a chair and kiss. Traditionally, guests present gifts during this kissing ritual. In order to extend the length of the kiss, guests attempted to outgive each other. The more lavish the proffered gift, the longer the couple kissed. This night of revelry ends with the presentation of the Bride's Cheese. The bride serves a slice of cheese soaked in honey and sprinkled with nuts to each of her guests from a tray. (source) This served as a hint to the guests that the sweetness of the night was only just beginning for the happy couple. As soon as the bride's tray emptied, their guests prepared to leave. Finally, the bride and groom can enjoy their Sweet Night together in the privacy of their bedroom. One last tradition. In the morning the groom lavishes his bride with further gifts, typically diamond and gold jewelry. Now, that's a tradition I support! Which of the Norwegian wedding traditions appeal to you? ~Angela Magnotti Andrews