Amish wedding day reflections from Old Order Amish writer Lovina Eicher center on the recent marriage of her son, Benjamin, to Joanna. The couple has returned from their honeymoon and will live with Eicher’s family for now while they look for a home.
With four empty upstairs bedrooms in the house and a bathroom on that floor, the arrangement is workable, though son Kevin cannot access the upstairs until a lift or elevator is installed. Eicher said she and Joanna are already sharing household routines, including doing laundry together.
The couple’s ceremony took place on a clear morning at the Community Youth Center, where family and friends gathered to celebrate. Eicher noted the striking sunrise as guests from Joanna’s Ohio church, the family’s local congregation, and relatives and friends arrived.
Close to 400 people attended. Some relatives were unable to come due to a fatal accident involving Eicher’s great nephew Amos, she said. The bride and groom expressed appreciation for those who joined them.
Amish wedding day menu and preparation
Food preparation began early that morning. According to Eicher, sons-in-law Dustin and Daniel, along with son Joseph, grilled 250 pounds of boneless chicken thighs before the service so they could attend.
Cooks peeled and prepared 200 pounds of potatoes, and eight 8-quart kettles of gravy were made. The meal also included 68 pounds of corn, dressing made with 20 loaves of bread, and desserts such as cupcakes and ice cream.
Earlier in the week, Joanna’s mother, Luella, baked 40 loaves of cinnamon bread, and cinnamon butter was served. Fruit bowls featured watermelon, cantaloupe, and grapes.
As is customary, wrapped candy bars were handed to each guest at the end of the meal, a highlight for younger children. Head cooks, Eicher’s sisters Liz and Emma, arrived soon after the family.
As the kitchen filled with conversation, cooks peeled potatoes and mixed dressing. Guests began taking their seats with help from sons-in-law Tim and Ervin.
The service started at 9 a.m., and by 9:30 a.m. Joanna’s mother and grandmother, Eicher’s daughters and daughter-in-law, and the children helping for the day were seated.
Ceremony, attire, and roles
The bride wore an Olive dress with a white cape and apron. Witnesses included Daniel Ray and Eicher’s daughter Verena for Joanna, and son Kevin and Susan, Eicher’s great niece, for Benjamin.
Verena and Susan wore Sage Green dresses with white capes and aprons. Mothers of the bride and groom wore blush, while Benjamin’s sisters and sister-in-law wore light green.
Table waiter girls wore ancient scroll, the table waiter boys wore white shirts with black pants and vests, cooks wore dill, dishwashers wore wheat, and coffee and water servers wore lotus. Special helpers, including Joanna’s youngest sister Lori and Benjamin’s nieces and nephews Kaitlyn, Abigail, Jennifer, Timothy (TJ), Isaiah, Ryan, and Curtis, wore icy morn.
A separate group of helpers known as Day Brighteners, Benjamin’s nephews and nieces Allison, Andrea, Denzel, Byron, Ervin Jr., Kylie, Sharlene, Brooklyn, and Jayden, wore veiled pink. Joanna’s father, Joni, officiated the marriage.
Her grandfather read Scripture, and the first sermon was delivered by Robert, a minister from Eicher’s home church. Eicher said seeing Benjamin marry after 27 years at home was joyful.
Shortly after 10 a.m., kitchen staff, servers, dishwashers, beverage servers, and special helpers ate, then returned to prepare for guests. Two serving lines were stocked with large pots of dressing, potatoes, and gravy, and water glasses were filled.
Eicher said there were 22 serving bowls so each table waiter had two bowls to circulate. The chicken was kept hot in coolers.
The couple joined hands in marriage at 11:30 a.m. To conclude the service, Song 122 from the Ausbund, the German songbook used in the community, was led by nephew Benjamin.
Earlier songs were led by Tim, Ervin, Daniel Ray, Menno, who is niece Emma’s husband, and nephew Marvin. After the ceremony, the couple and their witnesses exited, followed by family.
Following tradition, Joanna changed her black covering to a white covering. Eicher explained that unmarried girls in their community wear black coverings to church, and married women wear white.
Unmarried boys remain clean-shaven until they are published, after which they grow beards. Eicher noted it is different to see Benjamin with a beard.
Eicher plans to share more wedding details next week. She also provided the dressing recipe served at the reception.
Wedding dressing recipe
- 10 loaves of bread, 16 ounces each, cut into small pieces
- 48 eggs
- 1 quart onions, chopped
- 3 quarts potatoes, shredded
- 1 quart carrots, shredded
- 1 quart celery, diced
- 1 3/4 cups chicken soup base
- 4 teaspoons seasoning salt
- 8 teaspoons black pepper
- 8 teaspoons Montreal chicken seasoning
- 2 cups melted butter
- 6 quarts chicken broth with chicken pieces
Beat the eggs, then combine all ingredients in a large tub and mix well. Add water if the mixture seems too dry.
This batch fills four roasters to about three-quarters full. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes, or until set and the potatoes are soft.
Grease pans or roasters before adding the dressing. Note: The bread was not toasted for this version, though it can be.
Toasted bread will require more liquid. Eicher wrote that her mother never toasted bread or added milk, and her dressing was always well liked.
Lovina Eicher is an Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Readers can write to her at PO Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091, including a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply, or email Questionsforlovina@gmail.com and the message will be passed along.