As a blushing bride walks down the aisle of a church with tears of joy in her eyes and dressed in an expensive white dress, her future husband stands and waits to kiss his wife. This couple has been engaged for several months, and in that time every detail of this day has been perfectly planned: the date of the ceremony, the location, the flowers, and even the colors of the bridesmaids' dresses. It's the day every girl dreams of living. However, if this girl is of the Amish faith, her wedding day will not be as extravagant. An Amish couple planning to get married will have a much simpler, more community-involved event that will include minimal advance planning, a special church service on the day, and a more personal way to thank their guests. An Amish wedding is a very different experience than a traditional American wedding. When finding a spouse, the Amish look for someone who will be a good companion, serve their spouse unconditionally, and most importantly, follow the ways of the Church and God. When an Amish couple decides to get married, they don't tell anyone until the church allows it, which is usually around midsummer. At this time, many couples may announce their engagement (“Planning for an Amish Wedding”). The community can, however, try to guess who is getting married soon, as the couples' families will grow more celery than usual as it is a traditional part of the wedding dinner (Clark 115). The couple will not get married until November or December, when the harvest season is over and more people can help with preparations for the wedding day activities. The majority of the wedding day preparations will be making the meal...... middle of paper ...... Amish weddings are not like a typical American wedding with all its extravagances, it is still a wonderful occasion where two people dedicate their lives to each other. This act is the most important, whether it is lavish and remarkable or clear and simple. The Amish don't mess around with expensive ceremonies because it's not necessary for them. All that matters is the cohesion of the community and the unification of a man and a woman in the presence of God. This is what makes this day truly special. Works Cited by Clark, Mindy Starns. A pocket guide to Amish life. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2010. Print. Kraybill, Donald B. and Marc Alan Olshan. The Amish's struggle against modernity. Hanover, NH: University of New England, 1994. “Preparing for an Amish Wedding” print. The Amish quilt. Internet. March 14. 2011. .