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Open discussion. Love to hear about your own family traditions, what standards/guidelines your church might have about it, as well as your own experiences and opinions on such matters.

... bachelor/bachelorette parties? There are plain Anabaptists who do this?

I did hear about a "plain" wedding that had dancing at it. I really do not understand the thrust of plain Anabaptists who simply ape whatever they see in the world.

JohnH wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 4:23 pm ... bachelor/bachelorette parties? There are plain Anabaptists who do this?

I did hear about a "plain" wedding that had dancing at it. I really do not understand the thrust of plain Anabaptists who simply ape whatever they see in the world.

Yes, kinda, but not like the rest of society would do it. Typically its simply a Saturday night of playing ball and a campfire (for the guys). And the ladies might do something similar, just lady stuff. Typically it takes place a few weeks before the wedding. This was in the brethren circles, anyway.

i’ve had a similar curiosity about the old custom of hope chests for young girls?
viewtopic.php?t=6963

i find these things to be sentimental and practical. preparation for marriage, home, parenting.
originally, i believe it was born of necessity. a method of sharing family and community support.

altho, more recently, i’ve heard of the custom being distorted to be about materialistic things, even with sordid themes.

JohnH wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 4:23 pm ... bachelor/bachelorette parties? There are plain Anabaptists who do this?

Where do you see "plain" in the OP?

the-real-steve wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2026 4:44 pm Yes, kinda, but not like the rest of society would do it. Typically its simply a Saturday night of playing ball and a campfire (for the guys). And the ladies might do something similar, just lady stuff. Typically it takes place a few weeks before the wedding. This was in the brethren circles, anyway.

Oh, in that case... yeah plain people do this. But they just don't call it that.