A Ukrainian bridal is an occasion http://projectbritain.com/valentine.htm that combines both national and religious customs. It is a huge, elaborate ceremony with many significant rituals and customs.

The festival begins with the proper proposal, when the bridegroom goes to the couple’s parents ( for exact- sex 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 household and older married people called starosty accompany him. If the parents accept the wedding, the wedding drapes a rushnyk around her hubby- to- get and they all drink horilka together.

Before the temple service ukrainian girls for marriage, the bride and groom receive blessings from their families and guardians during a classic ceremony known as Blahoslovenja. They bow and transfer presents, quite as wedding breads called korovai that embodies career and fertility. During this part of the ceremony, it is also popular to present the pair with a set of spiritual icons that they must area at home and take care of, as a symbol of their novel commitments.

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.