The Romantic Story of Laura and Almanzo Wilder’s Wedding

At just eighteen years old, Laura Ingalls became Mrs. Almanzo Wilder in a wedding that would eventually captivate readers around the world. Their small Dakota Territory town buzzed about the ten-year age gap between them, but their love story proved more powerful than social expectations.

The couple’s wedding on August 25, 1885, stood apart from typical elaborate ceremonies of that era. They chose a simple, intimate ceremony that matched their practical nature, rather than the grand church affair their acquaintance Nellie Oleson might have wanted. Laura’s independent spirit shone through her choice of a simple black cashmere dress, which distinguished her from traditional brides.

Their marriage shaped American literature through Laura’s cherished “Little House” series. What began as a personal milestone evolved into a story that touched millions of readers’ hearts.

A Prairie Romance Blossoms

Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder’s romance flourished on the Dakota Territory prairie. Laura was just fifteen and teaching school while Almanzo was twenty-five. Their unique courtship broke from tradition, as Almanzo drove twelve miles each week to bring Laura home from her teaching post.

Their first meeting and courtship

Laura’s first teaching job at the Brewster school marked the beginning of their story. Almanzo proved his dedication by driving his sleigh through harsh winter storms to bring Laura home every weekend. These simple acts built the foundation of their legendary romance.

Weekend buggy rides and growing affection

Sunday afternoons became the heart of their courtship. Almanzo would arrive with his horses after Laura finished Sunday School and church services. Their special outings included rides in:

• Almanzo’s bobsled during winter months
• His buggy in warmer seasons
• Occasional singing school sessions

Laura chose Almanzo’s company over three other suitors who asked her for buggy rides.

The surprise engagement announcement

A singing school evening became memorable when Almanzo surprised Laura with a beautiful garnet ring. Their unique bond showed in Laura’s decision to wear the engagement ring on her first finger instead of the traditional ring finger. The De Smet Leader newspaper announced their engagement, stating “two more of our respected young people have united in the journey of life”.

Their courtship had its challenges. Laura’s old rival Nellie Oleson briefly joined their buggy rides. Laura’s strong personality emerged when she told Almanzo not to pick her up if Nellie would be coming along.

Planning an Intimate Wedding

News arrived that Almanzo’s mother and sister planned to coordinate a grand wedding celebration. The young couple made a bold decision that would shape their marriage forever.

Avoiding the grand church ceremony

Their choice to skip a traditional church ceremony meant more than just keeping things simple. It showed what they valued most and what made sense for their situation. Neither family had enough money for a big celebration. Laura knew her father’s modest means would make everyone uncomfortable at a grand affair. The couple took control of their special day. They chose to have their ceremony in Reverend Brown’s parlor, where only his daughter Ida stood up for Laura.

Preparing the black cashmere dress

Laura picked her wedding dress with both style and practicality in mind. The black cashmere gown became quite the conversation piece with its special features:

• Delicate lace trim at the neck
• Hand-knitted, lace-trimmed underthings
• Machine-sewn details completed in mere days

Ma brought up the old saying “married in black, you’ll wish yourself back.” Laura cleverly balanced tradition with her personal style. She included the classic wedding charm of “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” by combining her:

• New black dress
• Old blue-lined bonnet
• Ma’s borrowed pin

Choosing meaningful wedding details

The most important wedding detail remained invisible to guests – Laura’s principled stance on her vows. She had a conversation with Almanzo that would define their partnership. She spoke about the traditional promise to “obey.” “I cannot make a promise that I will not keep,” she declared. She couldn’t obey anyone against her better judgment. Almanzo supported her completely. He assured her he’d never expect such obedience, proving they were truly equals.

They finished all preparations in just days. The quick timeline and simple ceremony might have seemed limiting to some. Laura and Almanzo turned these constraints into something special. Their intimate celebration matched their independent spirits and practical natures perfectly.

The Special Wedding Day

A warm August morning in 1885 set the scene for one of literature’s most beloved weddings at Reverend Brown’s home in De Smet, Dakota Territory. Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder’s intimate ceremony reflected their independent spirits and practical nature.

The simple ceremony at Reverend Brown’s

Laura and Almanzo exchanged their vows in the minister’s cozy parlor with only Reverend Brown’s daughter Ida as witness. Their ceremony’s simplicity contrasted with De Smet’s usual grand affairs at the time. They chose to marry without family not from discord but from their practical mindset and desire to avoid an expensive celebration that would burden their parents.

Laura’s bold stance on wedding vows

The ceremony’s most striking moment came from Laura’s principled stance on traditional wedding vows. She took a bold step for her time and asked both Almanzo and Reverend Brown to omit the word “obey” from the ceremony. “I cannot make a promise that I will not keep,” she stated firmly, adding that she couldn’t “obey anybody against my better judgment”. Almanzo’s response showed the depth of their connection when he simply said, “I’d never expect you to”.

This exchange showed everything about their relationship:

• Mutual respect for each other’s principles
• Open communication about important matters
• Shared vision of marriage as a partnership

Their first moments as husband and wife

The newly pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Wilder stepped out of Reverend Brown’s home to begin their life as equal partners. Laura wore her carefully crafted black cashmere dress while Almanzo stood tall beside her. Their union represented a new kind of marriage for their era, built on mutual understanding and respect rather than traditional hierarchy.

Their quiet ceremony captured Laura and Almanzo’s relationship perfectly without the grandeur of a church wedding. This special day marked more than just their union – it started a partnership that would face countless challenges and inspire generations through Laura’s literary works.

A Marriage Built on Partnership

Laura and Almanzo Wilder’s marriage stood out among typical unions of their era right from the start. Their partnership would face both natural disasters and life challenges that created a legacy to inspire generations.

Equal partners from the start

Laura’s bold stance on wedding vows set a precedent for their entire marriage and marked the beginning of their progressive partnership. Almanzo’s response that he “never knew one that did it, nor any decent man that wanted her to” revealed their shared values. Their relationship broke away from Victorian-era norms. They saw marriage as a team effort rather than a power structure.

Supporting each other through hardships

Life tested their bond with incredible challenges during their early marriage years. They faced:

• A severe bout of diphtheria that almost took both their lives
• The loss of their infant son in 1889
• Multiple failed crops that threatened their survival
• A house fire that destroyed their home

They stayed strong partners through each trial. Both Laura and Almanzo took different jobs to support their family when money got tight. They showed their strength by rebuilding together instead of letting tough times pull them apart.

Building their life together

Rocky Ridge Farm became evidence of their partnership. Laura created the design for their dream home, and Almanzo turned her vision into reality. They didn’t stop at farming – Laura became active in the community. She helped create discussion groups and a loan association for farmers.

Their greatest work together began when Laura started writing about her childhood. Her simple stories grew into the beloved Little House series, which she wrote by hand on paper tablets in their Rocky Ridge home. Their daughter Rose provided editing help, but Laura stayed true to her goal of “constantly trying to be true to her own experience”.

Their partnership proved its worth over 60 years together. Laura and Almanzo managed to keep their commitment to face life’s challenges as equals through money problems, health issues, and career changes. Their marriage showed that true partnership could overcome any challenge, and this idea still strikes a chord with readers today.

Their Enduring Love Story

Laura and Almanzo Wilder’s love story ranks among America’s most treasured romances. Their bond lasted an incredible 64 years until Almanzo died in October 1949. A teenage bride and her groom, ten years her senior, built a partnership that would touch hearts for generations to come.

64 years of devotion

Laura and Almanzo’s love grew stronger as years passed. Rocky Ridge Farm blossomed under their care from a simple 40-acre plot into a thriving enterprise with dairy operations, poultry farming, and apple orchards. They faced financial hardships together, celebrated victories, and built their dream home – proof of their lasting partnership.

Effect on American literature

Life took an unexpected turn when Laura started writing about her childhood memories in her sixties. She published Little House in the Big Woods at age 65, starting what became an amazing literary legacy. Her work achieved remarkable success:

• The nine-book series sold over 60 million copies
• Her stories kept authentic frontier experiences alive
• The books gave them financial security in their later years

Their romance became part of American literature when Laura wrote about their courtship in These Happy Golden Years. Readers fell in love with her tales of buggy rides and winter sleigh journeys for generations to come.

Legacy of their romance

The Wilders broke nineteenth-century norms, starting with their ten-year age gap and Laura’s decision to skip “obey” in her wedding vows. Readers connected with their story because it showed:

“A true account of two young people who lived through the most trying troubles to form a lasting love that is timeless and forever inspiring”.

Their life together spanned from the “single shot musket to the atomic bomb” era and showed what committed partners could achieve. The Laura Ingalls Wilder/Rose Wilder Lane Museum at Rocky Ridge Farm stands today because they wanted to preserve their memories. Visitors can still feel the magic of their extraordinary love story.

Reality surpassed the romance portrayed in television series and books. Laura and Almanzo’s bond grew stronger through diphtheria, failed crops, and the heartbreaking loss of their infant son. Their marriage embodied the pioneer spirit – tough, flexible, and lasting.

Laura’s books brought unexpected benefits in their later years. The success helped them recover from stock market losses and secured their future. Their story still inspires couples today. It proves that true partnership can overcome any challenge with mutual respect, shared dreams, and steadfast dedication.

Laura And Almanzo Wilder Wedding Frequently Asked Questions

How long were Laura and Almanzo Wilder married?

Laura and Almanzo Wilder were married for 64 years. They tied the knot on August 25, 1885, and remained together until Almanzo’s death in 1949. Their enduring marriage faced many challenges, including financial hardships, illness, and personal losses, but their bond remained strong.

In what episode did Almanzo and Laura get married?

Almanzo and Laura get married in the “Little House on the Prairie” TV series during Season 7, Episode 7, titled “Laura Ingalls Wilder: Part 2.” This episode showcases their wedding day, a significant milestone in the storyline as their relationship evolves into marriage.

What happened to Laura and Almanzo’s baby?

Laura and Almanzo’s second child, a baby boy, tragically passed away shortly after birth in 1889. His death deeply affected both Laura and Almanzo, and they never gave him a name. This loss, along with the challenges they faced during that time, was a significant source of sorrow in their lives.

Did Laura and Almanzo love each other?

Yes, Laura and Almanzo deeply loved each other. Their letters and Laura’s writings reflect a strong affection and partnership. While their relationship had its ups and downs, their mutual respect and devotion helped them navigate many hardships over the years.

How much older was Manly than Laura?

Almanzo, nicknamed “Manly,” was 10 years older than Laura. He was born on February 13, 1857, while Laura was born on February 7, 1867. Despite the age gap, their relationship grew from mutual admiration into a lifelong partnership.

Are there any Ingalls descendants alive today?

No direct descendants of the Ingalls family are alive today. Laura and Almanzo’s only surviving child, Rose Wilder Lane, did not have any children. Therefore, the family line ended with her passing in 1968.

How many children did Laura and Almanzo have?

Laura and Almanzo had two children. Their daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, was born in 1886 and went on to become a well-known writer. They also had a baby boy who tragically died shortly after birth in 1889.

How historically accurate is Little House on the Prairie?

“Little House on the Prairie” is partially historically accurate, as it is based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s real-life experiences. However, some details were fictionalized or altered for dramatic effect. The books and TV series provide a romanticized view of pioneer life, omitting or simplifying certain historical and personal hardships.

Why did Almanzo call Laura Beth?

Almanzo called Laura “Beth” as a nickname derived from her middle name, Elizabeth. This affectionate term was unique to their relationship and reflected the close bond they shared. It became a symbol of their special connection.