Let's continue to consider modern wedding traditions and customs of Ukraine. Part four and the last one for today. The previous, third article about modern wedding traditions in Ukraine...
Let's consider the throwing of the wedding bouquet by the bride. Many consider this wedding ceremony to be an American fad, but in Ukraine a similar tradition has existed for a very, very long time. Since ancient times, Ukrainian brides passed on their wedding wreath, woven from the most beautiful flowers, to the bridesmaid, who, ideally, was supposed to be the next to get married within a year from the date of the transfer.
Later, in order to equalize the chances of all the girls present at the wedding, the wreath began to be thrown into the crowd of those wishing to get married as soon as possible. There are, as is known, quite a few of them, therefore, skirmishes for possession of the wedding bouquet did not happen often, but they did happen.
The garter of the bride. The process of throwing the garter is almost identical in concept to throwing the wedding bouquet. The groom removes the garter from his wife's leg either modestly under the table or with his teeth under the admiring glances of the guests in the center of the banquet hall. And who would have thought that the guys who are so reluctant to get married also line up in orderly rows in the hope of catching the bride's garter.
To be able to catch the bride's garter predicts a quick farewell to bachelor carelessness for the lucky man. But, dear girls, do not upset your husband and be sure to put on two garters so that he does not feel deprived. Let him take off one for his friends, as a tribute to the wedding tradition, and the second belongs to him by right - to be removed in the marriage bed.
The traditional wedding ceremony of unbraiding the bride's hair is very beautiful. To the sound of ritual songs, the bride's veil is removed and she is dressed in a beautiful white scarf.
The bride must resist, shake her head, break free, making it clear that she is a "hot chick" and that there is no point in counting on her husband's complete obedience. Basically, the groom's mother unbraids the hair, and putting on a headscarf symbolizes that she recognizes the daughter-in-law as the full mistress of the newlyweds' house. The wedding ceremony itself symbolizes the transition from girlhood to adult and independent family life, and therefore the bride begins to say goodbye to her unmarried friends in a traditional ritual dance, putting a veil on each of their heads. It is very touching to watch the dance with the veil, and often the guests furtively wipe away tears from their touched cheeks.
Next, according to tradition, comes the wedding loaf. The loaf is cut at the end of the entire wedding feast by the elders. The middle of the wedding loaf is given to the newlyweds, the rest is cut into pieces and distributed to the guests. But the loaf is not cut to the very bottom. The lower part, the so-called "sole", is given to the musicians by the elders during a cheerful, lively dance.
Modern wedding traditions and rituals Ukrainian weddings have their own highlights in each region, and it is very difficult to describe the fullness and abundance of the nation, rich in its rituals. But I can say with confidence only one thing - at Ukrainian weddings it is always fun, satisfying and far from boring.
Also, one of the new wedding traditions is the toastmaster. Nowadays, hired people are increasingly responsible for the cheerfulness of the guests - they organize competitions and games, sometimes saving on the abundance of games for the festive table, since the guests simply do not have time to have a snack, carried away by the new action.
I can only wish all future newlyweds a well-chosen restaurant, a good toastmaster and musical accompaniment.
Well, a creative wedding photographer with a videographer will not hurt in any way, so that this fabulous holiday of a dream come true remains, let's not forget, and you always have wedding photos - devoted guardians of your feelings.
To book a wedding photoshoot, please contact me:
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Sincerely, Eduard Stelmakh.
stelmakh.com