24 Dec Ukrainian Bride Traditions
A Ukrainian bridal is an occasion that combines both national and religious traditions https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/st-valentine-s-day. It is a large, complex meeting with many meaningful rituals and customs.
The meeting begins with the formal wedding, when the bridegroom goes to the couple’s parents ( for same- sex ukranian women for marriage or genderqueer couples this is done with both sets of parents ) with a bottle of horilka asking for her hand in marriage. The couple’s family and older married gentlemen called starosty visit him. If the parents accept the relationship, the wedding drapes a rushnyk around her hubby- to- been and they all drink horilka collectively.
Before the temple service, the bride and groom receive gifts from their parents and guardians during a traditional ceremony known as Blahoslovenja. They bow and transfer gifts, quite as wedding bread called korovai that indicates living and fertility. During this part of the ceremony, it is also common to manifest the pair with a set of theological icons that they must position at home and take care of, as a symbol of their innovative obligations.
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.
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