Wedding Traditions of Eastern Europe’s Western Region
Wedding traditions in the western region of Eastern Europe is very simple, but yet done with asense of history in each of their wedding ceremonies and receptions. For countries such as theCzech Republic and Poland, their history’s go back for hundreds of years and yet their traditionscontinue, to go along with a more modern take as well.
Czech Republic
– Sometime before the wedding, friends of the bride will usually plant a tree somewhere in heryard. The tree is then decorated with ribbons and egg shells that have been brightly painted.
– Often they would place an infant child on to the couple’s bed to symbolize the couple’sfertility.
– Also to ensure fertility, after the ceremony, rice, peas or lentils are tossed at the new couple.
– After the ceremony, tradition is that the couple together will break plates. The more the pieces,the more success that their marriage will have. Despite the fun of breaking plates, the couplehas to work together to clean up the mess to show they are in unison with one another and thisrepresents that they are together from this point forward.
– At the reception, the couple will eat soup together. The couples are bound together and areexpected to eat the soup sharing one spoon. This tradition symbolizes the couple’s ability toovercome potential difficulties together.
– The groom has the choice of either doing the traditional garter belt toss or they can auction itoff so that they can use the money towards their new beginning.
– When the timing is right, often the groom’s friends will kidnap the bride. If the groom does notfind her quick enough, he must pay for her return.
– Once the new couple reaches their new home, the ceremony officially is over. He will carry hisnew bride over the threshold. Therefore, guaranteeing the demons are not awakened.
Poland
– It is custom for couple’s parents to buy them rye bread that has a touch of salt on it, along withsome wine. The salt represents that life will have its hurdles, the bread means the couple willnever go hungry and the wine brings happiness and health.
– An old Polish tradition is that a single woman would wear her hair in one braid. The night priorto her wedding, her mom and another married relative would rebraid her hair into two braids,which now means there is now another person involved. Once the ceremony is over, the braids
come out. This tradition is called the “rebraiding of the bride’s hair.”
– As her last duty of being the mother, the mother of the bride will place the veil on the bridebefore the wedding.
– In the event the wedding is in the morning, it is custom to have a luncheon right after. Then inthe evening, everyone returns for a long reception.
– The bride’s bouquet is usually made up in red and white flowers to represent the country ofPoland’s colors. This is known to bring the bride good luck. To also bring the bride and toothers involved healing, love and remembrance, rosemary and other herbs are included into thebouquet.
– Polish reception ceremonies include many traditional songs and dances. The song, “TwelveAngels” is usually played when the bride transfers her veil and the good luck that comes withit, to her bridal party. After the veil has been passed on, the bride then dons a wreath or a lace,known as a czypeck. It is a symbol that the bride is now taking on her marital duties as she wearsthis cord around her neck that includes a pink and blue tiny doll on it. Other dances includemazurkas and polkas, as well as poloniaise and kujawiak. The couple will dance the PolishWedding March.
– There is quite a bit of food at a Polish ceremony. From cheeses to meats to various desserts,food is never at a loss. However, the popular Polish goulash dish is generally not seen as it is notconsidered a proper dish for this sort of celebratorial magnitude. The same goes for the drinking,as there is plenty of wine and spirits for all to enjoy.
– After the feast, the toasts begin. The na zdrowie is a toast that brings good health to the couple.The sto lat offers them a life of happiness for a hundred years.
– A bride that does not spill her wine on her is blessed with good luck.