Счастливый день свадьбы!

As you can probably surmise by now, there are all kinds of nationalities getting in the mix for these two weddings. We've only touched on a few - Polish, Danish, Romanian, Seminole, Irish, Italian - and have a few more to go - Swiss, English, Czechoslovakian, Portuguese, German, Hungarian and Choctaw among others. And we may even look at some nationalities not represented just to see how other cultures celebrate marriage. Today we're looking into one of Busha's nationalities ... Russian. Grandpa Roman Jarmolowicz had some Russian in him.

For Russians, the wedding celebrations could last two to seven days. There are all kinds of traditions that happen over the several-day celebration. It kicks off with the groom showing up at the bride's parents house with a ransom for his bride. Just for kicks and giggles, the bride's parents will bring out someone else in a wedding dress (sometimes even a man), demanding a higher price for their daughter. Sometimes family members or members of the bridal party will make the groom do all kind of goofy things to win his bride. The groom can offer money or jewelry. If it's satisfactory, the bride is brought out. While this may have been actual tradition at one time, now it's just done for fun.

At the wedding, the officiant blesses two lit candles and gives them to the bride and groom to hold throughout the ceremony. Rings are put on the right hand. Like the Romanians, the bride and groom are crowned. They will stand on a new rose-colored rug for this tradition. After the crowning, they have a handfasting (clasped hands wrapped in the officiant's stole) and then the couple walks three times around the lectern (or altar - wherever the Bible is laying) to symbolize the beginning of their new life together. Like the Jewish tradition, couples will break a crystal glass (the shards represent their many years together).

After the wedding, doves or balloons may be released and then the wedding couple hops in a limo to tour famous sights around town. Then it's off to the wedding feast and countless toasts (with vodka, of course). When guests shout “Горько!” (pronounced "gorka") they are saying "bitter," as in the alcohol is bitter and to sweeten it up they need to kiss. If the couple doesn't kiss long enough, they shout "Gorka" again. Parents of the bride and groom offer the couple a loaf of bread and salt (as a symbol of health and prosperity). They both take a bite of the bread. Whoever takes the biggest bite is the head of the household.


Dancing, feasting, singing and drinking can last for days in the wedding celebration. Those Russians know how to party, but I would imagine that cuts in to honeymoon time.

Every time we do one of these, we discover a unique or new tradition. Pick and choose what you like! Счастливый день свадьбы (Happy Wedding Day!)

Discussion: Do any of these traditions sound interesting to you? Which do you not like?

Prayer: Father, may you be glorified in every moment of the wedding. As Creator of all nations we praise Your name and thank you for the uniqueness and similarities of what we learn. In Christ, Amen.