Why do Amish people marry on Thursdays? Who was the last Democrat to represent Lancaster County in Congress? [We the People] (2024)

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Why do the Amish get married on Thurdays and not on a Saturday when they have off of work?

Why do Amish people marry on Thursdays? Who was the last Democrat to represent Lancaster County in Congress? [We the People] (1)

Plain folk actually have quite a few wedding customs that differ from non-Plain weddings.

Amish weddings typically occur on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, as those are the least-busy days of the farming week.

The community needs a full day to prepare and clean up for the event. Weddings aren't celebrated on Mondays and Saturdays, as it's considered sacrilegious to have to work or clean on Sundays, according to LancasterPa.com.

Weddings are also typically held in November, as the farms require more tending during harvest seasons in the spring, summer and fall; the chances for inclement weather are too great during the winter.

LNP reporter Erin Negley wrote a story about Amish marriage customs; read more here.

Question submitted by Daniel S.

Who was the last Democrat to represent Lancaster County in the US Congress, and when was that?

Why do Amish people marry on Thursdays? Who was the last Democrat to represent Lancaster County in Congress? [We the People] (4)

The answer to this question is tricky.

Lancaster County is currently in Pennsylvania's 11th district.

Until 2013, our county was in the 16th district; before that, Lancaster was in several other districts, according to historian Steve Nolt.

LNP reporter Tim Stuhldreher details Pennsylvania's 2013 redistricting in this article.

From the 1980s to the 1990s, Lancaster County was split, and part of the county was in a district with Berks County. During that time, that area - including Brecknock, Caernarvon, East Earl and East/West Cocalico were represented by a Democrat, Constantine "Gus" Yatron.

Before that, a Democrat hasn't represented Lancaster county since 1829.

Republican Lloyd Smucker has been Lancaster County's representative since 2017.

*Note: This question has been edited and corrected with the help of Steve Nolt.

Question submitted by Tyler M.

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Why do Amish people marry on Thursdays? Who was the last Democrat to represent Lancaster County in Congress? [We the People] (2024)

FAQs

Why do Amish people marry on Thursdays? Who was the last Democrat to represent Lancaster County in Congress? [We the People]? ›

Amish weddings typically occur on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, as those are the least-busy days of the farming week. The community needs a full day to prepare and clean up for the event.

What days of the week do Amish get married? ›

Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays in later fall after the harvest. Amish wedding tradition has had to give way to practicality. Weddings are now held year round and on other days to accommodate the number of couples getting married. Courtship among the Amish is more secretive.

Do Amish couples sleep in the same bed? ›

It also allows couples to sleep together without being married, which is important in a community where marriages are often arranged. Couples who are bundling typically sleep in separate beds that are pushed together. They may also sleep in the same bed, but with a board between them to prevent any physical contact.

At what age do Amish girls get married? ›

Dating among the Amish typically begins around age 16 with most Amish couples marrying between the ages of 20 and 22. To find a prospective date, the young adults socialize at functions such as frolics, church, or home visits. One of the most popular activities is the Sunday night singing.

What are the Amish marriage rules? ›

Rather than going on a honeymoon, newlyweds spend time with family and close friends helping clean up. They will live in the bride's parent's house after the wedding. They can live there for several months until they can build their own house. Amish marriage is a lifelong commitment and they take it very seriously.

What is the Amish wedding night consummation? ›

The purpose of the ritual was to establish the consummation of the marriage, either by actually witnessing the couple's first sexual intercourse, or far more often symbolically, by leaving before consummation. It symbolized the community's involvement in the marriage.

What do the Amish do on Thursdays? ›

Amish Weddings

Traditionally, they are held Tuesdays and Thursdays, so there is time in between to get ready for and clean up after each. Even so, it can get pretty busy during the "wedding season," with some Amish going to two or three weddings in one day!

How many times a week do Amish bathe? ›

In summer, conservative Amish tend to bathe at least twice weekly to eliminate dirt and sweat. The women may bathe more frequently and keep the home clean as well. New Order Amish may bathe more frequently than the Swatzentruber order, taking advantage of running water for showers or baths.

How do Amish deal with periods? ›

I think the level of integration with the modern world varies community to community (some Amish communities are more insular than others) but the most conservative of them will probably use the same methods women used for hundreds of years — wrapping themselves with strips of material, or wrapping their shift/ ...

What happens if an Amish woman is infertile? ›

Amish women consider infertility as God's will” Johnson-Weiner said. However, members of the community respond by encouraging these women to “Submit to God's will and do your best to follow God's plan” even allowing these women in some communities to adopt children.

Do Amish get to pick who they marry? ›

Hopefully, we've demonstrated that not only do the Amish not practice arranged marriages, but Amish couples are also in complete control of who they choose to spend their lives with. Amish young people have the freedom and opportunity to decide who they marry, with minimal pressure from their families and communities.

Can the Amish get divorced? ›

The Amish don't believe in divorce. In fact, to the Amish, divorce can be grounds for excommunication. Although there may be reasons for exceptions in certain communities, divorce is contrary to Amish teachings on marriage. Marriage is meant to last for life.

What happens to an Amish woman when her husband dies? ›

Remarriage After the Death of a Spouse

Widows and widowers may enter a courtship and remarry, and many Amish people do after losing a loved one. Because the Amish have large families, remarriage results in large extended families.

Can an outsider marry an Amish girl? ›

Marriage between Amish and outsiders is rare. That's because it's not allowed by Amish Law. However, should an outsider decide to convert to the Amish faith and get baptized, they'll be accepted as a member of the Amish community. They'll then be allowed to marry an Amish person.

Why do Amish only get married on Thursday? ›

Amish weddings typically occur on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, as those are the least-busy days of the farming week. The community needs a full day to prepare and clean up for the event.

How can you tell if an Amish woman is married? ›

A white bonnet will typically symbolize that an Amish woman is married, whereas a black bonnet symbolizes the opposite. Women going out of town or to church wear black bonnets to show that they haven't yet been courted.

What day of the week do Amish go to church? ›

Their religious beliefs call them to live a life of faith, discipline, dedication, and humility. Amish attend church every other Sunday in a church members' home. The service acts as a renewal of faith and an affirmation of community.

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