Marriages may be made in heaven, but weddings are done on Earth.
More than 2.1 million marriages took place in the United States in 2018. The traditions they celebrated covered virtually every country in the world. One of them was Ukraine.
Ukrainian wedding traditions celebrate both the happy couple and their families. However, they can be a little complicated. Knowing how to go through them from start to finish can make your wedding an occasion to remember.
Here is a quick guide to Ukrainian wedding traditions.
Formal Engagement
The wedding begins with a formal engagement ceremony. The prospective groom goes to the parents of the woman he intends to marry (for same-sex or genderqueer couples, this can occur with either spouse). Two older men accompany him.
The prospective groom presents the parents with a bottle of horilka. If the parents accept, the bride drapes a rushnyk around the two men who accompany the groom.
If the parents do not accept the marriage, they give a pumpkin to the man. This symbol lets him go home without being empty-handed.
Buying the Bride
The groom buys the bride on the morning of their wedding. He goes to her house with money and gifts.
Before he can enter, the family members of the bride stop him. They demand a ransom in exchange for handing her over.
The groom must answer a series of questions about the bride, usually praising her qualities. After handing over gifts and answering the questions, the family hands the bride over to her soon-to-be spouse.
Some ceremonies go on for quite some time. The bride’s family can bring out someone dressed in the bride’s veil. When the groom realizes that person is not his bride, he must engage in buying all over again.
Blessings
Before the ceremony, parents and godparents assemble before the couple. The two kneel on a rushnyk. The parents and godparents wish them a healthy and happy life together.
After that blessing, the couple steps on another rushnyk prior to taking their vows. According to tradition, the person who steps on it first will have the final say during the marriage. It is customary for the groom to let the bride take that step.
The Wedding Ceremony
Traditional Ukrainian ceremonies happen in a church. The bride and groom walk down the aisle, symbolizing that they are equal partners. They arrive at the front and place their hands on the Bible.
They then recite their vows to each other. As they do so, crowns are put on their heads. This crown symbolizes that they are king and queen of the family they will start together.
Once the vows are completed, the priest binds the hands of the bride and groom together. The priest then leads the couple across the altar three times.
The couple can then sign their civil marriage contract. This process is traditionally done on a Saturday, though very religious weddings can occur on a Sunday.
Traditional ceremonies occur in the Ukrainian language. A priest or interpreter can provide material in English or another language.
Reception
The reception occurs immediately after the ceremony. It begins with a traditional Ukrainian dance that local dancers perform. The couple and guests can join in.
Music is played throughout the night. Bands perform on traditional instruments, like the bandura.
The Ukrainian wedding cake is koravai, a braided bread baked on the Thursday or Friday before the wedding. Bakers can decorate the bread with symbols, figurines, and frostings.
Many people make toasts to the happy couple. Any alcoholic beverage can be served, though vodka and horilka are most common.
In addition to dance, many games are played. Guests are encouraged to guess the gender of the couple’s children, placing money into baskets.
The “Single Ladies Dance” involves the unmarried women in the room. They participate in a wedding dance before each woman sits down in a chair. They have to jump up and grab a piece of paper indicating their future husbands’ occupation.
Throughout the night, the bridesmaids can hold the bride captive until the groom performs a dare. This dare may involve a surprising stunt or drinking a large amount of vodka.
A guest can shout, “Hirko!” This word means “Bitter!” The couple is then required to kiss to offset the bitterness in the room.
Wedding receptions can last for days. It can take place in a reception hall or a person’s home.
Planning a Ukrainian Wedding
Ukrainian wedding traditions are very similar to Eastern Orthodox Christian weddings. It does not require extensive foresight or preparations.
It would be best if you took the time to prepare the Ukrainian wedding dress. The traditional dress contains many colors, patterns, and ornaments. Try out several before picking the best one for you.
Guests often bring sealed envelopes with money. They can get other gifts, including koravai.
You should book your church and reception hall in advance. If you are outside of Ukraine, finding a religious official who speaks Ukrainian may take a significant amount of time or be expensive. You should also find a band that plays traditional songs.
The Essentials of Ukrainian Wedding Traditions
Ukrainian wedding traditions are rich with significance. They begin with engagement, which takes place at the bride’s house. Then the groom must buy the bride from her family, humorously bridging the two families together.
After blessings, the ceremony itself takes place. The happy couple receives crowns and is bound together.
The reception lasts for hours as guests play games and perform dances. Many people make toasts, wishing the couple well.
When you plan your wedding, turn to the experts. Wedding Details is the Internet’s leading wedding planning site. Contact us today.
Wedding Details is your comprehensive guide to all aspects of your wedding. From traditional ceremonies to questions regarding the guests, our website offers you one place to do all your research.