Random Rules You Had No Idea Amish Women Are Supposed To Follow (14 items)

(#5) Their Wedding Dresses Aren't White

While white wedding dresses remain popular in much of the world, things are a little bit different when it comes to Amish culture. Instead of appearing clad in virginal white at their wedding, Amish women often prefer to wear hues of blue and indigo for their special day.

Amish women also tend to make their own dresses, which are plainly designed and end at the calf, along with the dresses of the bridesmaids, who are known as "newehockers."

Because of the practicality of an Amish woman's wedding dress, they often get worn again, especially for attending church. They may even be worn after death, as many Amish women get buried in their wedding dress.
(#14) They Are Required To Wear Certain Hem Lengths

Though it can vary from community to community - and age can also be a factor - most Amish women's hems must conform to a certain length. Generally, that means no higher than calf length.
(#3) They Are Expected To Submit To Their Husbands

Both religion and the Bible play a huge part in Amish marriage, and Amish society tends to put the wife in a submissive role to her husband. In public, the husband must lead, and the wife is expected to follow.

Within the privacy of the home, though, a woman might have more say in matters.
(#9) They Might Be Forbidden From Physical Contact Before Marriage

Many religions don't permit sex before marriage, and that's generally the rule among the Amish and Mennonite communities, as well. Modern sects allow couples to kiss during courtship, though, and 21st century social trends have led to more premarital relations between young people.

On the other end of the social spectrum exists a practice called bundling, where a couple in the midst of courting will spend the evening in the same bed together, but aren't allowed to touch. Instead, they get "bundled" into sacks. This type of courtship is rarely practiced anymore, though.
(#4) They Aren't Supposed To Cut Their Hair

Amish women can go their entire lives without getting a haircut, due to a literal interpretation of the Bible which deems it a "shame" for a woman to get shorn. Instead, an Amish woman grows her hair long and puts it in a bun under the prayer covering on her head.

Similarly, Amish men are not allowed to shave their beards after marriage.
(#11) They Are Discouraged From Letting Themselves Be Photographed

For both Amish women and men, being photographed is frowned upon, as posing for a picture is considered overly prideful. Some Amish interpret this rule more loosely, however, and will allow themselves to get photographed if their faces aren't shown.

Others allow their picture to get taken, so long as the photo is candid, since they believe posing for the picture makes it inappropriate, not the picture itself.