Weddings And A Ball In The 1800's

Think to yourself what a ball in the 1800’s would be like. Grand, elegant, a large number of people- all of whom have different lives and come from different places, yet all somehow related to the host. Does this sound familiar? That is because yesterday’s balls are today’s weddings.

A wedding, according to the Merriam Webster website, is “a ceremony... with accompanying festivities” or “a (formal) act, process, or instance of joining in close association (with one another)” (Merriam Webster) and a ball, according to the Merriam Webster Website, is “a large formal gathering for social dancing” (Merriam Webster). As seen through these definitions, both are a formal social gathering where a large group of people can come together to dance and

At a wedding, it is two families joining together to form one. Where people can catch up on the times missed or just socialize with one another. Just like at a ball, where there is a large number of families, all getting together to socialize and improve their relations. Weddings and balls are also very formal, where you dress fancy- for in both it is seen improper to come in casual clothing.

Some of the rituals at a wedding include the first newlywed dance, the father-daughter dance, the mother-son dance, and the throwing of the bouquet. Some of the rituals at a ball include having the ball split into different sections, changing partners with each change in section, and of the males asking the females to dance before the section begins.

Just as a ball is split into different sections to dance with a wedding is also split into different pieces. For each section, at a ball, there are two dances. At a wedding, the dances are divided among the newlyweds, the father and his daughter, and the mother and her son. So although, they are both split it is for different purposes- a ball for the guests and a wedding for the hosts; the guests are not involved in these splits as they have a separate time to dance which is not divided in any specific way other than the change of the

In balls from Pride and Prejudice, it is seen as an honor to receive an invitation by word of mouth rather than by words of a card, due to the fact that “Mrs. Bennett was….flattered by receiving an invitation from Mr. Bingley himself instead of a ceremonious card” (Austen 116). This is much like weddings, as the guests will receive cards but if the bride would like one to become a bridesmaid or maid of honor, they would ask by word of mouth- which is the same with the groom and his best man.

Where balls and wedding are different though is that at weddings, you go with one person and usually stay and dance with that one person, and if they are left for another to change partners, it is seen as rude. Whereas during a ball, if someone danced with only one person, they were perceived as having poor etiquette, and, therefore, were judged very harshly- as Mr. Darcy was after only dancing “once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley” (Austen