So the past few weeks have been absolutely crazy (in a good way) and I haven't had time to update about some of the wonderful cultural excursions I have taken part in. I will begin by sharing my experience at my first Russian wedding.
Last month, Zhenya invited me to her friends' (Dima and Marina) apartment. After only meeting them once, to my surprise, they invited me to their wedding! I remember being in Russia a few years ago and being at Leo Tolstoy's estate seeing many brides wandering around and thinking to myself "things are certainly done differently here". Now I had a chance to experience it for myself.
Russian weddings typically take place over two days and almost never in a church - but in some type of wedding hall. The ring is a simple gold band and it goes on the right hand. It is common also for the groom to meet the bride at her home and participate in a series of competitions before heading out to the ceremony. Following the ceremony, the guests all travel to various spots in the city and take pictures and then eventually we end up at the reception. There is a clear influence of Western traditions, but they have evolved to become uniquely Russian.
On the day of the wedding Zhenya picked me up at 11am and off we went to Marina's parents' flat on the outskirts of Tyumen. Close family and friends gathered while Marina got ready for her big day. Zhenya and I helped decorate the apartment in preparation for Dima's arrival. Specifically - we put balloons and streamers and special wedding posters from the entry to the apartment to the door to their flat. Over the next two hours more and more guests arrived and around 1pm Dima arrived - with plenty of honking of course as is customary for all happy couples and their guests. Dima first had to gain permission to meet his bride by passing a series of "tests". Once Dima and Marina were united, there was the first toast of the day. Then off we went to the ceremony -- I even got to ride in the magenta limo adorned with decorative interlocking wedding bands on the roof. Everyone seemed to be concerned that I was having a good time and I felt like I was treated like a special guest - nice, but a little weird on someone else's special day!
The ceremony took place in a small room and there were 67 guests. There is a table where the bride and groom stand, and the ceremony, which only lasted maybe 20 minutes, was officiated by some woman. The couple signs documents legalizing their marriage and exchanges rings. Then the bride and groom have their first dance in this room. Next we visited another room - this time for pictures and more champagne, of course.
Following the ceremony we piled back into the limo and the celebrating picked up. We went to several spots to take pictures including a park, the eternal flame in Tyumen, and Tyumen's famous "bridge of love". Apparently several cities in Russia have bridges of love. Traditionally happy couples put a lock on the bridge and throw away the key into the river below.
Next up was the reception. As Zhenya had warned me, I was not able to sit with her as she and the "best man" sat with the bride and groom. Here, wedding parties don't really exist as it is just the two "witnesses" who are at the side of the bride and groom. The Russian ladies I sat with made sure to take good care of me and we did our best to communicate. Each and every guest must say their congratulations and wishes for the newlyweds and at the end the guests pass in their gifts (normally money) to the witnesses. I, of course, had to participate as well - and me being the special guest from America - I had to stand up and give a toast by myself (with help from Zhenya thankfully)! In between toasts there was plenty of food and drink, dancing and games. For example, blowing up and then popping a balloon with a fork, bidding for cake, and various dance competitions.
Dima and Marina's wedding was only one day...so it was definitely a marathon event - the reception went until 1am! I felt like I was part of their family for the day - Zhenya and Marina's grandfather (they're step-cousins) even invited me to his village - it was nice to feel so included!
The Wedding Hall
The Bridge of Love
This really happened...luckily while the cars were stopped, though they did try while we were moving.
The Reception -- one of the many games/competitions
Last month, Zhenya invited me to her friends' (Dima and Marina) apartment. After only meeting them once, to my surprise, they invited me to their wedding! I remember being in Russia a few years ago and being at Leo Tolstoy's estate seeing many brides wandering around and thinking to myself "things are certainly done differently here". Now I had a chance to experience it for myself.
Russian weddings typically take place over two days and almost never in a church - but in some type of wedding hall. The ring is a simple gold band and it goes on the right hand. It is common also for the groom to meet the bride at her home and participate in a series of competitions before heading out to the ceremony. Following the ceremony, the guests all travel to various spots in the city and take pictures and then eventually we end up at the reception. There is a clear influence of Western traditions, but they have evolved to become uniquely Russian.
On the day of the wedding Zhenya picked me up at 11am and off we went to Marina's parents' flat on the outskirts of Tyumen. Close family and friends gathered while Marina got ready for her big day. Zhenya and I helped decorate the apartment in preparation for Dima's arrival. Specifically - we put balloons and streamers and special wedding posters from the entry to the apartment to the door to their flat. Over the next two hours more and more guests arrived and around 1pm Dima arrived - with plenty of honking of course as is customary for all happy couples and their guests. Dima first had to gain permission to meet his bride by passing a series of "tests". Once Dima and Marina were united, there was the first toast of the day. Then off we went to the ceremony -- I even got to ride in the magenta limo adorned with decorative interlocking wedding bands on the roof. Everyone seemed to be concerned that I was having a good time and I felt like I was treated like a special guest - nice, but a little weird on someone else's special day!
The ceremony took place in a small room and there were 67 guests. There is a table where the bride and groom stand, and the ceremony, which only lasted maybe 20 minutes, was officiated by some woman. The couple signs documents legalizing their marriage and exchanges rings. Then the bride and groom have their first dance in this room. Next we visited another room - this time for pictures and more champagne, of course.
Following the ceremony we piled back into the limo and the celebrating picked up. We went to several spots to take pictures including a park, the eternal flame in Tyumen, and Tyumen's famous "bridge of love". Apparently several cities in Russia have bridges of love. Traditionally happy couples put a lock on the bridge and throw away the key into the river below.
Next up was the reception. As Zhenya had warned me, I was not able to sit with her as she and the "best man" sat with the bride and groom. Here, wedding parties don't really exist as it is just the two "witnesses" who are at the side of the bride and groom. The Russian ladies I sat with made sure to take good care of me and we did our best to communicate. Each and every guest must say their congratulations and wishes for the newlyweds and at the end the guests pass in their gifts (normally money) to the witnesses. I, of course, had to participate as well - and me being the special guest from America - I had to stand up and give a toast by myself (with help from Zhenya thankfully)! In between toasts there was plenty of food and drink, dancing and games. For example, blowing up and then popping a balloon with a fork, bidding for cake, and various dance competitions.
Dima and Marina's wedding was only one day...so it was definitely a marathon event - the reception went until 1am! I felt like I was part of their family for the day - Zhenya and Marina's grandfather (they're step-cousins) even invited me to his village - it was nice to feel so included!
Pictures!:
Dima on the left, "best man to his right", and Zhenya in the red -- this is outside of Marina's flat and Dima's first "competition".
The Wedding Hall
The Bridge of Love
This really happened...luckily while the cars were stopped, though they did try while we were moving.
The Reception -- one of the many games/competitions
No comments:
Post a Comment