Wedding Traditions of Eastern Europe’s Central Region

Sep 14
2010
Wedding Traditions of Eastern Europe’s Central Region
Wedding traditions of Eastern Europe has grand traditions that have been part of the regions
many years. Although modern traditions have been incorporated, older traditions still remain.
For the countries of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, they are no exception.
Bulgaria
- In old Koprivshttiza, it was the mother who chose her son’s bride. The mother would see if the
woman would make a good wife if she was a good housewife that was hard working. The reason
for this is because often the son would be out of the village as much as four to five months out of
the year and did not have time to search for a bride.
- Often the groom’s parents and his friends will go to the home of the girl. They give her
parents reasons for why they are there as through various rituals. When the families agree on the
marriage, the young woman is then asked for her acceptance of the marriage, and more often
than not, she agrees.
- In the old days, a Bulgarian wedding may last up to three or four days, in which day has
something specific planned for it. Whether its food preparation or wreaths being made.
- Old Bulgarian wedding traditions are connected with the separation of the bride from her
family and friends as she joins her groom’s family. Often that leads to her calling her new in-
laws mother and father.
- Just prior to the wedding, a bride will toss a dish over her head. The dish is filled with coins,
wheat and raw eggs. In the event the dish breaks, that is a symbol for good luck.
- Future happiness is in order if the couple each steps into the church with their right foot.
Hungary
- Hungary is a multicultural country and often the weddings reflect that.
- The bride generally will wear an elaborate headdress which will include woven strands of
wheat. The wheat is a symbol of fertility.
- An egg is also presented to the new bride. She would then smash the egg thus bringing good
health to her future children.
- As a measure for the bride’s wish for a long and happy marriage, she will present a gift of
seven scarves to her new husband. Seven is considered a lucky number.
- The ceremony usually begins with the couple arriving by a horse drawn carriage.
- As a sign of their trust, the coupe will exchange moneybags and handkerchiefs.
- The money dance at the reception involves the bride placing her shoes in the middle of the
dance floor. Anyone wanting a dance with the new bride needs to place money into her shoes.
Romania
- A wedding ceremony is often known as a “show” with elaborate outfits. This is looked at as a
sign of prosperity and happiness to the new couple.
- Often in the Moldova part of Romania, a wedding celebration will last all night and into the
morning.
- A sign of respect to the parents is for the couple to bow to them, which is another way of
showing their gratitude for all that they have done as parents.
- At the end of the reception, a baby is held by the new bride as a symbol for her own home to be
full of children.
- In the Maramures part of Romania, a trust worthy friend of the groom will be sent to the
potential bride’s home to get permission of marriage. Quite often the answer is yes. At that point
the discussion turns to the woman’s dowry and the engagement date is set.
- Many traditions are followed to be exact with a Romanian wedding. Everything from the
clothing to the dressing of the table. Traditions play a very important part in wedding ceremonies
and their pre and post celebrations.
- On the evening before the wedding, many men and musicians will show up at the groom’s
house where they will perform the “Flag Dance.”
- Emotional moments are held for the relatives of the bride and groom as they ask their parents
for their forgiveness for all past mistakes.
- At the ceremony, both the bride and the groom will have their cheeks washed by the groom’s
mother. This is one form of acceptance of the new bride by her new mother-in-law.
- A Romanian wedding is so important, that many girls begin to plan as early as age six. They
will begin to fill their wedding trousseau by collecting treasures.

Wedding Traditions of Eastern Europe’s Central Region
Wedding traditions of Eastern Europe has grand traditions that have been part of the regionsmany years. Although modern traditions have been incorporated, older traditions still remain.For the countries of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, they are no exception.
Bulgaria
- In old Koprivshttiza, it was the mother who chose her son’s bride. The mother would see if thewoman would make a good wife if she was a good housewife that was hard working. The reasonfor this is because often the son would be out of the village as much as four to five months out ofthe year and did not have time to search for a bride.
- Often the groom’s parents and his friends will go to the home of the girl. They give herparents reasons for why they are there as through various rituals. When the families agree on themarriage, the young woman is then asked for her acceptance of the marriage, and more oftenthan not, she agrees.
- In the old days, a Bulgarian wedding may last up to three or four days, in which day hassomething specific planned for it. Whether its food preparation or wreaths being made.
- Old Bulgarian wedding traditions are connected with the separation of the bride from herfamily and friends as she joins her groom’s family. Often that leads to her calling her new in-laws mother and father.
- Just prior to the wedding, a bride will toss a dish over her head. The dish is filled with coins,wheat and raw eggs. In the event the dish breaks, that is a symbol for good luck.
- Future happiness is in order if the couple each steps into the church with their right foot.
Hungary
- Hungary is a multicultural country and often the weddings reflect that.
- The bride generally will wear an elaborate headdress which will include woven strands ofwheat. The wheat is a symbol of fertility.
- An egg is also presented to the new bride. She would then smash the egg thus bringing good
health to her future children.
- As a measure for the bride’s wish for a long and happy marriage, she will present a gift ofseven scarves to her new husband. Seven is considered a lucky number.
- The ceremony usually begins with the couple arriving by a horse drawn carriage.
- As a sign of their trust, the coupe will exchange moneybags and handkerchiefs.
- The money dance at the reception involves the bride placing her shoes in the middle of thedance floor. Anyone wanting a dance with the new bride needs to place money into her shoes.
Romania
- A wedding ceremony is often known as a “show” with elaborate outfits. This is looked at as asign of prosperity and happiness to the new couple.
- Often in the Moldova part of Romania, a wedding celebration will last all night and into themorning.
- A sign of respect to the parents is for the couple to bow to them, which is another way ofshowing their gratitude for all that they have done as parents.
- At the end of the reception, a baby is held by the new bride as a symbol for her own home to befull of children.
- In the Maramures part of Romania, a trust worthy friend of the groom will be sent to thepotential bride’s home to get permission of marriage. Quite often the answer is yes. At that pointthe discussion turns to the woman’s dowry and the engagement date is set.
- Many traditions are followed to be exact with a Romanian wedding. Everything from theclothing to the dressing of the table. Traditions play a very important part in wedding ceremoniesand their pre and post celebrations.
- On the evening before the wedding, many men and musicians will show up at the groom’shouse where they will perform the “Flag Dance.”
- Emotional moments are held for the relatives of the bride and groom as they ask their parentsfor their forgiveness for all past mistakes.
- At the ceremony, both the bride and the groom will have their cheeks washed by the groom’smother. This is one form of acceptance of the new bride by her new mother-in-law.
- A Romanian wedding is so important, that many girls begin to plan as early as age six. They
will begin to fill their wedding trousseau by collecting treasures.

A Maui Wedding

Aug 20
2010

The summer has been filled many weddings and beautiful couples. Here’s just one of several recent couples that stood out. I had so much fun with this couple that I am still laughing when I think back at our day together. If your looking for a Maui Wedding Photographer please give Nicole a call at Behind The Lens Maui.

808 205-2366

Family Portraits: What To Wear And What Not To Wear

May 19
2010

Family Portraits: What To Wear And What Not To Wear

When it comes to your family portraits, there are different styles to choose from. However, regardless of what style you go with, there is some basic choices to make with your clothing and accessories that will improve your portrait results. However, you can also detract from your photo with the wrong choices that you may make. Here are a few suggestions that should help you in your planning for your photo session.

For a more distinct photo that accentuates your face, hair and hands, the following is recommended for your clothing tops:

· Colors should lean towards the extreme ends of the spectrum with either very dark or very light. This allows your top to highlight you and your face, regardless of the backdrop.

· Avoid more intermediate colors as they generally don’t produce as well and will cause your facial tones to blend in with your top.

· Include interesting collars and/or sleeves on your tops.

· Tops with interesting textures, such as, a sweater, can add richness or depth to your photograph.

· Avoid busy colors, stripes and noisy patterns. Quite often these don’t reproduce well and can distract from viewer from your photo.

In addition, if you bring with you enough clothes to change into for your session, then also consider bringing a variety of styles in your colors, textures, necklines, as well as undergarments for a variety of different looks.

Other suggestions when it comes to colors is with the darker colors you will get a more slimming effect in a photo, while you may get the opposite wearing lighter colors. Also try to avoid clothes that may create reflective colors against your skin tones. The camera readily picks this up and reflects the color cast, which in turn can cause you to look somewhat off color. Bright reds, oranges and yellows are common colors that can produce a more true color cast. Compare that to in terms of pastels or soft colors and you should be just fine.

If your images are to include you below the shoulders during your portrait session, it is usually suggested that your bottoms be a pair of blue jeans, dark slacks or something similar. Of course it will depend on the look you are looking for in your portraits. In addition, dark shoes will also reproduce well on film while your portraits are taking place when your feet are included. You will want to bring a couple pairs of shoes that are appropriate for the type of clothing you may be wearing, as well as other items such as socks/stockings. This could enhance your full posed photos.

You will also have to consider whether or not your outfit could be considered outdated in the near future. What may be today’s fashion statement, may be tomorrow’s faux pas. In addition, try to avoid any clothing that may contain distractions such as logos or slogans, as they to can become outdated or bring you embarrassment.

Jewelry is a nice way to accessorize and highlight your portrait session, but try to keep it simple and elegant. Overdoing the jewelry or jewelry that is too large and gaudy will distract and draw your viewer’s attention from your portrait and sometimes in an unflattering way. This approach should also be taken into consideration when choosing other sorts of accessories as well.

One of the biggest challenges with portrait taking is with glasses. The lenses have a tendency to cause the face to come out distorted, which could result in a less than picture perfect effect. Consider your photos without your glasses or bring frames without lenses. Experience shows that you will be unsatisfied with your portraits that were taken with the lenses on your existing glasses. So prepare yourself to have your portrait shots taken with either your glasses without lenses or without glasses altogether.

When all is said and done, you will look your best if you are wearing something comfortable and with your own sense of style. After all, they are your portraits. The above suggestions are to allow you to get the best looking portrait possible.


Family Portraits:What to wear and what not to wear

Apr 11
2010

Family Portraits: What To Wear And What Not To Wear

When it comes to your family portraits, there are different styles to choose from. However, regardless of what style you go with, there is some basic choices to make with your clothing and accessories that will improve your portrait results. However, you can also detract from your photo with the wrong choices that you may make. Here are a few suggestions that should help you in your planning for your photo session.

For a more distinct photo that accentuates your face, hair and hands, the following is recommended for your clothing tops:

· Colors should lean towards the extreme ends of the spectrum with either very dark or very light. This allows your top to highlight you and your face, regardless of the backdrop.

· Avoid more intermediate colors as they generally don’t produce as well and will cause your facial tones to blend in with your top.

· Include interesting collars and/or sleeves on your tops.

· Tops with interesting textures, such as, a sweater, can add richness or depth to your photograph.

· Avoid busy colors, stripes and noisy patterns. Quite often these don’t reproduce well and can distract from viewer from your photo.

In addition, if you bring with you enough clothes to change into for your session, then also consider bringing a variety of styles in your colors, textures, necklines, as well as undergarments for a variety of different looks.

Other suggestions when it comes to colors is with the darker colors you will get a more slimming effect in a photo, while you may get the opposite wearing lighter colors. Also try to avoid clothes that may create reflective colors against your skin tones. The camera readily picks this up and reflects the color cast, which in turn can cause you to look somewhat off color. Bright reds, oranges and yellows are common colors that can produce a more true color cast. Compare that to in terms of pastels or soft colors and you should be just fine.

If your images are to include you below the shoulders during your portrait session, it is usually suggested that your bottoms be a pair of blue jeans, dark slacks or something similar. Of course it will depend on the look you are looking for in your portraits. In addition, dark shoes will also reproduce well on film while your portraits are taking place when your feet are included. You will want to bring a couple pairs of shoes that are appropriate for the type of clothing you may be wearing, as well as other items such as socks/stockings. This could enhance your full posed photos.

You will also have to consider whether or not your outfit could be considered outdated in the near future. What may be today’s fashion statement, may be tomorrow’s faux pas. In addition, try to avoid any clothing that may contain distractions such as logos or slogans, as they to can become outdated or bring you embarrassment.

Jewelry is a nice way to accessorize and highlight your portrait session, but try to keep it simple and elegant. Overdoing the jewelry or jewelry that is too large and gaudy will distract and draw your viewer’s attention from your portrait and sometimes in an unflattering way. This approach should also be taken into consideration when choosing other sorts of accessories as well.

One of the biggest challenges with portrait taking is with glasses. The lenses have a tendency to cause the face to come out distorted, which could result in a less than picture perfect effect. Consider your photos without your glasses or bring frames without lenses. Experience shows that you will be unsatisfied with your portraits that were taken with the lenses on your existing glasses. So prepare yourself to have your portrait shots taken with either your glasses without lenses or without glasses altogether.

When all is said and done, you will look your best if you are wearing something comfortable and with your own sense of style. After all, they are your portraits. The above suggestions are to allow you to get the best looking portrait possible.