Sie Leben Hoch
Pronounced (zee LAY-ben hoe)
Sie Leben Hoch is German tradition from Frankenmuth (where Morgan’s from) where the wedding guests wish the bride and groom a happy life.
The first part of the tradition has the bride & groom sit on chairs and get lifted up while the guests sing a German call and response chant to “Sie Leben Hoch!” (May they live well!)
For the second part of the tradition, they place bonnets on the bride and groom’s heads. The bonnets are decorated with different themed paraphernalia for the couple. Also, the bride and groom both have pacifiers in their mouths, which are connected by a length of string. This is “for good luck and fertility.”
After that, the married couple are carried over to the bar to chug a beer.
We hope you enjoy this relatively undocumented, yet extremely common and vital Frankenmuth tradition. We invite you to ask any of Morgan’s family or the Muthcrew about Sie Leben Hoch. They will have stories to share.
It’s ok if you can’t speak German! You’re welcome to stumble through it with the rest of us and enjoy yourself during Sie Leben Hoch!
Morgan’s brother Camden and his wife Brooke doing Sie Leben Hoch at their wedding