A Norwegian Wedding

    The dowry is an amount of money, goods, and property the bride brings to the marriage. It can also be called her marriage portion.  A Viking marriage would only be legal if a bride price had been paid by the groom's family. A matching amount of dowry was normally paid by the bride's family. A high bride price and dowry enhanced the status of all parties involved. The brideprice and the dowry were used by the couple. They provided security for the wife and her children in the event of her being widowed. The marriage contract could also include anything else at all which was agreed. Once terms were agreed a date was set for the wedding to be held. The wedding ceremony was simply a declaration of the terms of the agreement in front of three witnesses of good standing.

*Information and pictures taken from Lothene Experimental Archaeology, Viking wedding, re-enactment, living history, 10th Century, marriage of Gunnar and Ragnhild