Marriage is a serious step up in your relationship, and you should understand all the benefits and implications it’ll bring into your life. However, when you start to seriously consider Russian female order brides, the notion doubles in seriousness. Russian marriage culture is utterly different from what the West is used to. Thus, the better you understand the customs and rites, the easier it’ll be to get through the process.
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Classical Russian marriage customs
No matter how modern and sophisticated a bride you find, the chances that she’ll go back on Slavic wedding traditions are slim. Some hard-core Russian traditions may be left out, but the witnesses remain.
Witnesses
At first, it may seem like you’re about to take part in a crime since there are witnesses to choose from. However, in Russia, the wedding witnesses are the 2 people who are the closest to the couple. They signify your feelings for one another and ensure that the vows you exchange are unbreakable.
Towels
Whether you’re marrying a Ukrainian woman or a Russian girl, there’s also an embroidered towel to be involved. A long time ago, the brides-to-be were the ones to do the embroidery on their own. However, these days the towels are still hand-made yet usually purchased. The towel signifies a happy and joyous marital road in front of you. It’s laid out in front of the couple in the marriage registration office and in church too.
The newlyweds need to step on the towel simultaneously so that they’re considered equals in the relationship. In case a man or woman steps faster than the other partner, it’s said that the first to claim the towel is to rule the relationship.
Primary Russian wedding traditions
Aside from unbreakable customs, some common traditions may alter from region to region.
Ransom
A traditional Russian wedding can’t go without the ransom. It’s not like you have to pay a fortune to the bride’s relatives, like in some other countries. It takes a series of quests and challenges to pass before you get the bride. Very often, a ‘fake’ bride is offered if you deal poorly with the tests. A male dressed as a woman plays a role in many cases. After some fun and a fair share of money given to the bridesmaids and relatives, the bride is passed on to the groom.
Crowning
While in church, both the groom and the bride are crowned. They wear the heavy crowns throughout the ceremony, the crowning signified them as the King and Queen they should be to one another and to God.
Betrothal
Most couples have to pass through the Russian Orthodox wedding ceremony, which starts at the church entrance. Then, the priest usually blesses the couple and invites them in to continue the ceremony. That’s when the candles are lit by the couple and held that way until the ceremony is complete. In case, a candle goes out—it’s considered a bad omen.
Games
It’s not enough to eat and drink to celebrate the occasion. Russians are fond of dancing and various games and funny, at times bordering with inappropriate, quests. There’s usually a host aka “Tamada” invited to the party who conducts all the games and ensures that the event is as merry and memorable as it can get.
Second round
It’s never enough to dedicate a single day to a marriage celebration in Russia. After a long night of dancing and fun, the second round takes place the next day. Usually, the closest relatives and friends gather around. At times, 2 separate weddings are thrown—one on the bride’s behalf and the other on the groom’s. So, there may be even a third and fourth round.
Honeymoon trip
This is a bit of Western influence on Russian culture that you can consider as something native to you, but it has its local flavor. Usually, the newlyweds go on a trip to some romantic getaway right after the wedding.
Traditional Russian wedding gifts
For the longest while, the guests at the wedding were to bring the couple all sorts of presents. The tradition holds to these days too. However, a while ago, it was customary to present cutlery, porcelains, jewelry, furniture, and even electronics. These days, the invited gift flowers and money for the most part.
Final words
Some of you may be still wondering why are Russians so attractive. There’s not a single answer to that. Surely, the beauty of their women is breathtaking and captivating. Yet, there’s more to it. The old-fashioned attitude toward the wedding and marriage, in general, has its peculiar vibe that everyone would give a lot for to taste it!
