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Although not all couples exchanged rings in the eighteenth century, many did seal their wedding vows with rings like this gold band Elihu Hoyt (1771-1833) of Deerfield, Massachusetts gave to Hannah Taylor (1772-1864) in 1794. Weddings usually took place at the home of the bride with a minister present. Weddings and other celebrations generally occurred during quieter times of the farming year. Elihu and Hannah wed in early December, a time of year more popular for weddings than any other in this period.