Katrina Van Tassel's two suitors in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" present contrasting motivations for and meanings of marriage. Ichabod Crane wants to wed Katrina because of her family's wealth, while Brom Bones wants to marry her because he is seemingly interested in her character.
Katrina initially catches the interest of Ichabod because she is a "blooming lass" with a "coquette" nature. She dresses in a way that somehow reflects both "ancient and modern fashions," and he finds her rather beautiful. Yet it isn't until Ichabod beholds her inheritance that he determines that he must marry her. Katrina's father has a great deal of land that is stocked with pigs, geese, turkeys, and other livestock that will provide for many future meals. The land abounds with wheat, rye, corn, and fruit, and Ichabod is tantalized by the seemingly endless and delicious dishes this land could produce. He also...
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pragmatically considers that the property "might be readily turned into cash."
Ichabod therefore becomes singularly focused on winning the heart of Katrina, using her as a means to inherit the property and the bounty of her father. Ichabod's view of marriage is rather manipulative; he only views a union in terms of how it could improve his own circumstances.
Brom Bones has been courting Katrina for some time, and she has not rejected his attempts to win her heart. Brom's intentions are seemingly not based on Katrina's wealth; he is described as having a sort of "rough chivalry" and resorts to playing practical jokes on Ichabod to try to deter his rival's efforts. On the night he watches Ichabod dancing with Katrina, he is described as being "sorely smitten with love and jealousy"; he is envious that Katrina seems to be enjoying herself with Ichabod. Brom views marriage with a sense of adoration and adventure, seeking the heart of his beloved instead of her fortunes.
In the end, it is Brom who "conduct[s] ... Katrina in triumph to the altar." This ending implies that authenticity is important in marriage. Brom's successful courtship means that marriage is best accomplished as a union of hearts.