Have you received an invitation to a Dutch wedding? Then you’ll probably be introduced to a whirlwind of funny (and slightly unusual) traditions that you might’ve not seen before. In this article, we’ll explain more about some ‘odd’ traditions you can expect to see during these events. This way, you’ll be well-prepared with some real insider knowledge!
Dutch weddings aren’t that different from other western countries. You often start with a ceremony, after which you’ll eat and party until you drop! Most couples choose to inform you about the planning on the wedding invitation. Still, there might be some things about Dutch weddings that could surprise you.
Borrelen
After the ceremony, it’s time to celebrate! Often, the cake is cut first, which you then eat while congratulating the bride and groom. After that, it’s time for drinks and snacks! This is called a ‘borrel’ in Dutch and is traditionally a moment to have drinks and small snacks before having dinner. You will often see traditional snacks and bites like ‘bitterballen’ around.
These deep-fried balls filled with a hearty meat goulash are well-loved among the Dutch, and you’ll find them at almost any get-together, from birthday parties to work events. Other popular options for snacks include little cubes of cheese and meat, often served with pickles on the side.
Performances by guests
Weddings often have some kind of entertainment, whether it’s music or other performances. The Dutch often prefer DIY: they’ll invite certain guests, like friends or family, to put on a funny skit or perform a rehearsed song. Another popular option is the ‘Alfabet’ speech.
This is a playful tradition that has guests contributing different words starting with each letter of the alphabet to describe the couple. It’s often a mixture of heartfelt comments and a good-natured roast. Don’t worry, you won’t be expected to enter the stage unless they’ve specifically asked you to do so beforehand.
Dutch games
Games are also a popular way to entertain guests. A classic Dutch game you might see at weddings is ‘sjoelen’. Sjoelen includes a long wooden board and small wooden disk. The goal is to get all your disks in one of the holes and getting the highest score possible.
Wish tree
Instead of the traditional guestbook, you might find a wish tree when attending a Dutch wedding. Here, guests write small cards with their wishes for the couple and hang them on a decorative tree. It’s a unique way to give the couple a heartfelt message full of good vibes.
Unique experiences
When moving to The Netherlands, you’ll be confronted with all sorts of (slightly weird) traditions and cultural differences. The same goes for weddings. The traditions mentioned above are a few of the unusual things you might see at a Dutch wedding, depending on how the couple chooses to celebrate their marriage.
Source: ThePerfectWedding.nl
Disclaimer: This blog was written for the Expat Spouses Initiative by Loes Hopper (ThePerfectWedding.nl) to share their knowledge of Dutch weddings. The views or opinions expressed in this blog are the personal views of the blog writer and may not represent those of ESI. All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only.
