Throughout Tsarist Russia, courting and marriage proposals were a significant part of a person’s life, whether they were from the peasantry or the nobility.  However, there were differences in these factors for the two classes as well.  The differences that were apparent in the courtship process between these two classes included early childhood courting, courting opportunities, criteria, and the proposal procedures. 

In the peasantry class, early childhood courting was common.  From the ages of eight or nine until the ages of sixteen or seventeen young girls were taught all of the qualities that a proper bride would possess such as knitting, cooking, and gardening.  Courting opportunities also arose at an early age, mostly in the spring and fall when harvesting season took place.  Dances and promenades where young men and women could interact were held in the spring under the careful watch of elders.  In the fall young men and women worked together during the harvest where they could carefully watch each other’s skill and diligence.  

There were also specific criteria involved when a person chose a mate.  A boy’s parents considered the woman’s kinship, personal attributes, and virginity.  In regards to pre-marital sex, it was forbidden by society and by the families of the couple.  However a double standard was ensued onto a woman; she would be publicly shamed and taunted if she was not a virgin at marriage.  The dowry of a girl was also accounted for when a family was choosing a bride for their son.  The dowry consisted of money, clothing, towels, and linens that went straight to the groom’s family.  A girl’s parents took the boy’s personal character, his social status, and age in regard when choosing a groom for their daughter. 

The courting procedure itself was very complicated and elaborate.  At times, matchmakers were involved to set up a boy with a girl who met the standards.  Once the boy’s family accepted her, the mother of the groom would go to the house of the bride to propose.  The father would be sent for, as is the daughter.  The daughter leaves the decision making up to her parents.  The two families sit together eating, drinking, and discussing the dowry to be exchanged.  Once they have come to an agreement, the girl is to marry the young man. 

The nobility, however, had many different characteristics and customs when it came to courtship.  Courting usually did not start as early as the peasantry did.  The nobility wanted their children to enjoy their youth.  Courting opportunities were also limited in the nobility.  There were balls, as seen in Anna Karenina, where men and women could interact however, they were not as apparent as in the peasantry.  This often resulted in limited time that a groom would see his bride-to-be.  Often, a man would only visit once or twice with a girl before they were to be married. 

The criteria for the men and women of the nobility were very limiting.  A man or woman had to be of the same social status as them.  It was only right for a man or woman to marry within the same class, as they did not want to lower their societal status.  This eliminated many marriageable men and women, as most people were of lower classes.  Parents did not make the decision of the marriage as they did in the peasantry class.  Parents could voice their opinions, yet the groom and/or bride were allowed to make the final decision.  The final courtship and proposal procedure was also very different from that of the peasantry.  Often the boy would approach the girl’s family first and then propose to the girl.  However, there are instances where the boy would go directly to the girl and ask for her hand in marriage.  Together they would announce the good news to her parents. 

Therefore, the peasantry and the nobility both had courting rituals and procedures, but they had differences within these customs.  The main differences circled around the childhood courting, courting opportunities, criteria, and the proposal procedures.