Tradition, Tradition!
The Amish have many traditions surrounding important events like funerals and weddings. For example, Amish usually hold their weddings on Tuesdays and Thursdays in November after the harvest season has ended. Certain traditional Amish foods are served at these events. Shoofly or Vanilla Pie, fresh garden vegetables, homemade bread: these are common foods found at many Amish gatherings. At weddings these foods are centered around the main dish, Amish Roast.
What is Amish Roast?
Amish Roast is a mixture of homemade bread stuffing and roast pulled chicken. The stuffing is made with lots of butter and the roast chicken is tender and mixed in with the stuffing. Usually this main dish of Amish Roast is served with sides of mashed potatoes and gravy and creamed celery. The dish is savory, filling, and delicious!
What is an Amish Wedding Like?
Amish weddings are large affairs, as Amish families tend to be large in size. Usually the wedding party will invite not only their immediate families but also their extended families and friends and neighbors. Amish hold their wedding celebrations at their homes, and attendance will often average between 400-500 people. That is a lot of Amish Roast!
The Amish take marriage very seriously. To be married in the Amish Faith both the bride and the groom must be baptized members of the Amish Church. You can tell who is a married member of the Church among the men by their beards: only married men are permitted to grow them. There is a closed church ceremony but the vows take place during a separate ceremony that is open to all guests, including non-Amish.
The ceremony is followed by a meal featuring Amish Roast. Guests eat in shifts, with the bride and groom eating first. Food is passed around the tables, family style. Amish weddings are large celebrations that last all day. Socialization, eating, and even volleyball games are often part of the fun.
If you're not able to attend an Amish wedding in person, you can take home part of the experience with our Amish Roast!