Dutch wedding customs
Dutch weddings, in which the civil ceremony at the town hall is the legal marriage and sugared almonds are shared.
Also: Nederlands huwelijk, bruidssuikers
In the Netherlands only a civil ceremony before a registrar, a trouwambtenaar, is legally binding, and a church wedding may follow. Many couples marry at the town hall or at a chosen venue with a licensed registrar, and sometimes with a few guests. Sugared almonds, called bruidssuikers, are handed out, as are wedding cake and a day-long party. A master of ceremonies, a ceremoniemeester, may organise the day. The Netherlands was the first country to open civil marriage to same-sex couples, in 2001.
Region: Europe