Deborah Chan
Armenian weddings are steeped in rich history and traditions, with celebrations lasting from dusk till dawn. The ceremony itself typically lasts for about an hour and is held in a church, followed by a reception with plenty of food, music, and dancing. From pre-wedding rituals to post-ceremony celebrations, there are many unique traditions to explore, and each region in Armenia has its own wedding ceremony style.
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What You'll Learn
- Armenian wedding ceremonies are steeped in rich history and traditions
- The ceremony is dedicated to God and the church and usually lasts about an hour
- The bride and groom are crowned to represent their reign over their kingdom
- The couple drinks wine from a 'common cup' to symbolise their union with each other and with Christ
- Armenian weddings are punctuated with loud music, dancing, and feasting
Armenian wedding ceremonies are steeped in rich history and traditions
One of the oldest traditions in Armenian weddings is the groom's godparents paying a ransom for the bride before he is allowed to see her. This is known as "asking for her hand", or Khosk-Kap, and involves a formal dinner organised by both families. The families bring floral arrangements, chocolate, and Armenian cognac, and tea is served, but no one should drink it until the bride's family agrees to the marriage. Another pre-wedding tradition is the blocking of the doorway by the bride's family as she is leaving her house. A male family member, often the bride's brother, cousin, or younger male relative, will block the door and insist on getting paid.
During the ceremony, the bride and groom are crowned to symbolise their reign over their kingdom, with the best man holding a cross over their heads. They also drink wine from a "common cup" to symbolise their union with each other and with Christ. The cup is sometimes shared with the best man and maid of honour, and guests throw coins at the couple as they leave the ceremony site, wishing them financial health.
Armenian weddings are known for their loud music and dancing, with guests joining the newlyweds on the dance floor to celebrate their union. The mother-in-law places lavash on the couple's shoulders as a sign of prosperity and abundance, and the bride and groom break plates to cast off any evil before entering their new home. The celebration continues late into the night, with guests enjoying delicious food, music, and dancing.
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The ceremony is dedicated to God and the church and usually lasts about an hour
Armenian weddings are steeped in rich history and traditions. The ceremony is dedicated to God and the church, and usually lasts about an hour. It is held in a church, with a priest officiating the ceremony. The priest sings traditional Armenian songs and says prayers in Armenian before the couple says their vows and exchanges their "I dos".
One of the oldest traditions in Armenian weddings is the groom and his relatives visiting the bride's home early in the morning on the wedding day with flowers, decorated fruit baskets, sweets, wine, Armenian brandy, shoes, and perfume. They are then treated to a feast. The godparents of the groom must pay a "ransom" for the bride before he is allowed to see her. Another fun tradition is the stealing of one of the bride's shoes as she gets dressed. After negotiations, the shoe is returned with money inside as a symbol of wealth.
Armenian weddings also include the "blocking of the doorway" tradition. A male family member from the bride's side blocks the door and asks to be paid to let the bride leave her family's home. This role is often performed by the bride's brother, cousin, or younger male relative, and they sometimes hold a sword.
The ceremony includes many symbolic rituals. The bride and groom wear crowns, which represent their reign over their "kingdom", glory, and honour. The crowns are made of white, green, and red threads, symbolising peace, life, and sacrifice. The couple also drinks wine from a "common cup" to symbolise their union with each other and with Christ. The best man and maid of honour may also take a sip from the cup as a sign of best wishes.
Armenian weddings are also known for their lively celebrations, with loud music and dancing. The "Sabbath" dance is a traditional part of the celebration, where guests dance around the bride and slip money into her hands, symbolising abundance in the new family. The "Yarkhushta" is another spirited dance performed by men before the bride and groom. The celebration continues late into the night, with guests enjoying delicious food, music, and dancing.
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The bride and groom are crowned to represent their reign over their kingdom
Armenian weddings are steeped in rich history and traditions. The crowning of the bride and groom is a significant ritual in Armenian wedding ceremonies. This act symbolises the couple's reign over their kingdom, representing their union as king and queen of their family. The crowns are also a symbol of glory and honour. The crowns are often made of red and green threads, signifying life and sacrifice, with the colours reflecting peace, life and sacrifice.
The crowning ceremony takes place after the couple has exchanged their vows. The best man and maid of honour assist the priest in the program, and the best man holds a cross over the newlyweds' heads as they wear their crowns. The couple may also drink wine from a "common cup", presented by the priest, to symbolise their union with each other and with Christ. The best man and maid of honour may also take a sip from the cup, wishing the newlyweds happiness and good fortune.
Armenian weddings are filled with symbolic rituals and vibrant traditions. Before the ceremony, the groom and his family visit the bride's home, bringing gifts, flowers, and chocolates. The bride's family greets them with elaborate floral decorations and a catered buffet. The bride's brother helps her with her shoes, and her father or maid of honour presents her to the groom. Dancing and music are integral parts of the celebration, with live musicians performing throughout the day.
Armenian wedding ceremonies typically last for about an hour, followed by a banquet with cultural foods, including rice, stews, and kabobs. The celebrations can go on until the early hours of the morning, with guests singing, dancing, and offering well-wishes for financial health and good fortune to the newlyweds. The entire day is a grand celebration filled with rituals, symbolism, and the coming together of two families.
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The couple drinks wine from a 'common cup' to symbolise their union with each other and with Christ
Armenian weddings are rich with traditions, and the ceremonies typically last for about an hour. One notable tradition is the couple drinking wine from a common cup, symbolising their union with each other and with Christ. This ritual is steeped in symbolism and holds great significance in Armenian culture.
The common cup is usually presented by the priest or officiant, and the couple drinks from it during the wedding ceremony. This act symbolises the unity between the bride and groom, representing their willingness to share life's joys and challenges together under the shadow of God. It is a sacred moment where they affirm their commitment to each other in the presence of their loved ones.
The wine in the cup is not just any beverage but holds religious significance as well. Drinking from the same cup symbolises their union with Christ, indicating that their marriage is blessed and sanctified by God. This ritual reinforces the spiritual aspect of the ceremony, as Armenia, being the world's first Christian nation, holds deep reverence for its faith.
In some instances, the best man and maid of honour may also take a sip from the common cup. This act symbolises their pledge to extend blessings and best wishes to the newlyweds, wishing them a happy and prosperous life together. The common cup tradition is a beautiful expression of unity, faith, and community support for the couple's new journey as husband and wife.
Armenian weddings are known for their vibrant traditions, and the common cup ritual is just one of many. Other customs include the crowning of the couple, the red and green ribbon ceremony, and the blocking of the doorway by the bride's family members. The festivities are filled with music, dancing, and an abundance of food, reflecting the joy and celebration of the occasion. Overall, Armenian wedding ceremonies are a beautiful blend of faith, tradition, and community.
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Armenian weddings are punctuated with loud music, dancing, and feasting
Armenian weddings are lively affairs, filled with music, dancing, and feasting. The celebrations are steeped in rich history and tradition, with many rituals and symbols that hold significant meaning for the couple and their community.
Music and dance are integral to Armenian weddings, with the festivities often punctuated by upbeat songs and energetic dances that continue late into the night. The "Sabbath" dance, for instance, is a traditional part of the celebration, where guests gather around the bride, slipping money into her hands as she dances, symbolising abundance and good fortune for the new family. The "Yarkhushta" is another spirited dance performed by men before the bride and groom. The bride herself may change into a fun party dress to join in the dancing.
The wedding ceremony, which usually takes place in a church, is accompanied by traditional Armenian songs and prayers sung by the priest. The ceremony also includes unique rituals such as the couple wearing crowns, symbolising glory and honour, and sharing a common cup of wine to represent their union with each other and with Christ.
Armenian weddings are also known for their delicious feasts. The tables are filled with an array of appetizers, including breads, charcuterie boards, salads, and finger foods. Cultural dishes such as rice, stews, and kabobs are also commonly served, ensuring that guests have plenty of options and never go hungry.
The celebrations often begin early in the morning, with the groom and his relatives visiting the bride's home with gifts such as flowers, fruit baskets, sweets, and brandy. The day is filled with various rituals, including the "asking of the hand" (Khosk-Kap), where the groom formally asks the bride's family for her hand in marriage. Another fun tradition is the blocking of the doorway by the bride's family members as she is leaving her home, with the "bouncer" demanding payment before allowing her to depart.
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Frequently asked questions
The ceremony itself lasts about one hour. However, the entire wedding celebration can last until 2:00 a.m. or longer, with guests dancing and parting ways.
Armenian wedding ceremonies are steeped in rich traditions and rituals. The ceremony is dedicated to God and the church and is held at a church, typically one that the families have attended over the years. The priest sings traditional Armenian songs and says prayers in Armenian before the couple's vows. The couple is then crowned to represent their reign over their kingdom, and they share a common cup to symbolise their union with each other and with Christ.
Armenian weddings have many unique traditions. One of the oldest traditions is that the groom's godparents must pay a ransom for the bride before he is allowed to see her. Another tradition is the blocking of the doorway by the bride's family members as she is leaving her family home. The bride's brother, cousin, or younger male relative typically plays the role of the "bouncer" and demands payment to let the bride pass.
