It was rare for a married couple to be portrayed lifesize and together in a single painting, and even more so in such an intimate and joyful manner. The patron would have had to have been receptive to such innovation. The close friendship between Hals and the newlywed couple, presumably Isaac Abrahamsz Massa and Beatrix van der Laen, likely played a crucial role in facilitating the creation of this audacious portrait.