The practice of "making a bidding" and sending "bidding letters," of which
the following is a specimen, is so general in most parts of Wales, that
printers usually keep the form in type, and make alteration in it as
occasion requires. The custom is confined to servants and mechanics in
towns; but in the country, farmers of the humbler sort make biddings. Of
late years tea parties have in Carmarthen been substituted for the bidding;
but persons attending pay for what they get, and so incur no obligation;
but givers at a bidding are expected and generally do return "all gifts of
the above nature whenever called for on a similar occasion." When a bidding
is made, it is usual for a large procession to accompany the young couple
to church, and thence to the house where the bidding is held. Accompanying
is considered an addition to the obligation conferred by the gift. I have
seen, I dare say, six hundred persons in a wedding procession, and have
been in one or two myself (when a child). The men walk together and the
women together to church; but in returning they walk in pairs, or often in
trios, one man between two women. The last time I was at such a wedding I
had three strapping wenches attached to my person. In the country they
ride, and generally there is a desperate race home to the bidding, where
you would be surprised to see a comely lass, with Welsh hat on head and
ordinary dress, often take the lead of fifty or a hundred smart fellows
over rough roads that would shake your Astley riders out of their seats and
propriety.
"Carmarthen, October 2. 1850.
"As we intend to enter the Matrimonial State, on Tuesday, the 22nd of
October instant, we are encouraged by our Friends to make a Bidding on
the occasion the same day, at the New Market House, near the Market
Place; when and where the favour of your good and agreeable company is
respectfully solicited, and whatever donation you may be pleased to
confer on us then, will be thankfully received, warmly acknowledged,
and cheerfully repaid whenever called for on a similar occasion,
By your most obedient Servants, HENRY JONES, (Shoemaker,) ELIZA DAVIES.
"The Young Man, his Father (John Jones, Shoemaker), his Sister (Mary
Jones), his Grandmother (Nurse Jones), his Uncle and Aunt (George
Jones, {115} Painter, and Mary, his wife), and his Aunt (Elizabeth
Rees), desire that all gifts due to them be returned to the Young Man
on the above day, and will be thankful for all additional favours.
"The Young Woman, her Father and Mother (Evan Davies, Pig-drover, and
Margaret, his wife), and her Brother and Sisters (John, Hannah, Jane,
and Anne Davies), desire that all gifts of the above nature due to them
be returned to the Young Woman on the above day, and will be thankful
for all additional favours conferred."