Szczęśliwy Dzień Slubu!

You and Rob come from different backgrounds and nationalities, so I thought it might be interesting to check into various wedding traditions from the cultures represented. Not that you should incorporate any of them into your wedding or reception, but they will give you options and ideas nonetheless.

I thought I would start with Polish traditions since most of Daddy's family is Polish. Having been to several weddings of Daddy's extended family, some of these traditions we have witnessed first hand. Others I read about but never experienced.

For example, at the reception, tradition says the parents of the bride and groom greet the new couple with a loaf of bread sprinkled with salt and a goblet of wine. The items represent health, prosperity, healing and happiness. This is something we've not seen at weddings when we were in Wisconsin.

However we have witnessed the wedding march where the bridal party forms a tunnel as they are announced into the reception hall for the bride and groom to walk through. As they go under the arms of the first couple, that couple moves to the back of the line to continue the tunnel in a serpentine path throughout the dance floor. It's a sweet honoring way to introduce the new Mr. and Mrs.

Of course, there is always at least one Polka at a Polish wedding. Your Daddy and I used to laugh that little old Polish ladies that couldn't move would still get up and dance their hearts out to a Polka. Seems everyone enjoyed dancing to that.

The first toast and song for some traditional Polish weddings was the Sto Lat, which means "100 years," wishing the bride and groom that many years together. The song translated is "Good health, good cheer, may you live a hundred years."

Another tradition we read about include the bride throwing her veil instead of her bouquet to the unmarried women at the reception, signifying the next lady to get married. Knowing the cost of that ... don't recommend it.

One tradition I read about listed as a Polish tradition is the Dollar Dance, which is interesting since I just thought it was Pennsylvania reception tradition. We had a Dollar Dance at our wedding. Guests pay to dance with the bride. In some cultures, you drink a shot of whiskey or other liquor before dancing with her. The last person to dance with the bride in the Dollar Dance is the groom, who then whisks her off her feet and carries her out of the reception and onto the honeymoon. It is usually a pretty lucrative dance as many folks will pay more than a dollar to dance with the bride. We recommend that one.

Other traditions I read about include having change instead of rice thrown at the bride and groom (which they then have to pick up); a pre-wedding blessing; having Polish foods like pierogi, golumpki and kieska; and the fact that wedding celebrations can last three days (pretty sure your Grandparents Zimanek wedding lasted that long).

So there you go. Plenty to choose from. Could be fun! Szczęśliwy dzień ślubu (Happy Wedding Day)!

Discussion: Have you heard about any of these Polish wedding traditions? Is there one you think would work for your wedding?

Prayer: We thank you, Father, for different cultures and nationalities and the traditions they have had throughout the years. We pray you are glorified in all the wedding and reception events. We love you, Lord God. In Jesus, Amen.