For centuries, weddings have been an exciting celebration that unite two families. Throughout the Elizabethan era, English literature reflected the positive impact weddings had on people. Shakespeare, an Elizabethian poet and playwright, utilized weddings in his writing. Many people will remember the secret, sweet, and simple ceremony performed by Friar Lawrence to unite Romeo and Juliet. In Act 2, Scene 2, of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo says, “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.” Shakespeare’s prose demonstrates that during the Elizabethan era, weddings were the most important day in a person's life; they showed wealth and social status.
In the upper class, marriage was seen as an opportunity to gain property and friends. For this reason, marriages among wealthy families were more likely to be arranged than those among the lower class. Occasionally, couples were first introduced to each other on the day of the wedding! After a couple became engaged, the next step was the betrothal. “A betrothal
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During the Elizabethan era, unlike today, it was uncommon for brides to wear white. According to Cartright and Singman, common dress colors during this era consisted of red, blue, orange, and tan. In prosperous families, a dress was custom made for the bride. The dress was usually low-cut and square necked; it included detailed lace ruffles with a variety of jewels embroidered into the gown with gold thread. In contrast, penurious brides usually wore their best clothes or a simple gown along with a kirtle. A kirtle was a pattern for a basic women's dress. It was quite common for Elizabethan women and brides to wear corsets underneath their clothing. Additionally, a chemise would be worn underneath the wedding gown for modesty purposes and to protect the clothing material from sweat and body