Hobbit Wedding Customs
Marriage is indeed a joyous celebration done after at least a few months of devoted courtship, during which the coupled Hobbits will go through a number of platonic rituals including walking together and respectable dancing and singing. It is common for male hobbits to present their love-interest with flowers, as is common for female hobbits to present baked goods (such as cookies or pies) to hers and hers' family. Marriage proposals are given after several months, at least, of such things. However, when marriage is proposed and invitations are sent, all family and friends (which, more often then not, includes the entire shire population) attend. Marriage almost always occurs in spring, and the bride will wear dresses of either white, pink, yellow, purple, or blue, with the bridegroom in, of course, his best shirt and vest. The rituals of marriage usually include the father of the bride giving his daughter to the bridegroom, and each Hobbit reciting poetic promises to each other. After such a ceremony, the new Hobbits and all their company will gather together, usually outside, and have a grand feast accompanied by, of course, the best beer the shire has to offer.
