Originally called "Gratulanterne kommer" (The well-wishers are coming),it was written in 1896 as a memorial of the 25th wedding anniversary of Grieg and his wife Nina.The anniversary celebration had been held in the Fossli Hotel near the Vøringsfossen waterfall in June 1896. Grieg and his wife celebrated their wedding anniversary with Borre and Nancy Giertsen. Nancy was the sister of Marie Beyer, then married to Frants Beyer, Grieg's best friend. She belonged to their closest circle of friends at Troldhaugen. During the occasion a guest book was ready to take contributions from all the guests.
Grieg gave the work its final title in 1897 when he compiled Book VIII, Op. 65, of his Lyric Pieces. The work's festive first section describes congratulations and best wishes that are given by the guests to the newlyweds; the second section is reflective and subdued.