Ukrainian Wedding Cultures

A Ukrainian wedding is an occasion that combines both national and religious practices ukrainian mail order bride. It is a huge, sophisticated festival with many valuable rituals and customs.

The ceremony begins with the elegant proposal, when the bridegroom https://abc.xyz/ goes to the couple’s parents ( for equal- sex or genderqueer couples this is done with both sets of parents ) with a bottle of horilka asking for her hand in marriage. The vicar’s household and older married people called starosty visit him. If the parents accept the relationship, the bride drapes a rushnyk around her father- to- get and they all drink horilka together.

Before the church service, the bride and groom receive gifts from their families and godparents during a classic ritual known as Blahoslovenja. They bow and exchange gifts, quite as bridal wheat called korovai that indicates living and fertility. During this part of the ceremony, it is also popular to present the couple with a set of theological symbols that they must place at home and take care of, as a symbol of their innovative tasks.

As the couple exits the ceremony hall, they are presented with a towel that has been nicely decorated. They are supposed to step on it and superstition says that whoever steps on it first heads the household.

Once the wedding celebrations are over, it is common for the newlyweds to spend a few days at their parents ‘ houses. They are showered with gifts and pampered by their family and friends. During this time it is customary to play some light- hearted games like putting a towel on their heads and running through the house or throwing salt at each other. This helps to relax the atmosphere and prepare for their married life.