Love matches happened more frequently with peasants and many medieval weddings among lower classes were the result of pregnancy. But as with nobles, marriage among peasants were often matters of business. Arranged marriages were very common. Betrothal ceremonies would take place at the house of the bride and the village would gather to celebrate the day, and perhaps give the couple gifts of wooden utensils or other tools.
Rings often could not be afforded, so one wedding tradition was that a broken coin be given to the bride, with the groom keeping the other half. Another Middle Age tradition was that villagers would shower the couple with seeds or grains of wheat to wish them a large family.
Grooms who were not local would traditionally buy a round of drinks for the young men of the village whom he "robbed" of a possible wife. In return the young men would often organize a mock serenade, partly in hopes of spying on the newlyweds as they consummated the union.
