George Boyle
Macedonian weddings are extravagant affairs, steeped in centuries-old traditions, rituals, and customs. The celebrations are filled with music, food, and dancing, and can last for days. The wedding ceremony itself is conducted in an Orthodox custom, with the bride and groom wearing grand gold crowns tied together with a ribbon. But how long are the festivities, and what unique traditions are part of a Macedonian wedding?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | 300 (150 on each side) |
| Duration | Days |
| Dress code | Traditional or modern |
| Food | Roasted lamb and veal, stuffed peppers, rice pilaf, sarma, burek, mixed salad, cold platter of mixed cheese and ham, natural chicken and pork steak, mushroom sauce, baked potatoes and rice |
| Drinks | Vranec, rakija, Turkish coffee, herbal teas, freshly-squeezed juices |
| Music | Instrumental arrangements of classic songs played using gajda, šupelka, kemane, tambura, zurla, tapan, kaval, accordion, or modern, popular music |
| Dance | Oro, Pig dance |
| Customs | Shaving of the groom, crowning of the bride and groom, bride kicking over a glass of water, bride lifting a baby 3 times, buying of the bride, shoe ceremony |
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What You'll Learn
The crowning of the bride and groom with gold crowns
Macedonian weddings are extravagant celebrations full of dancing, food, and family, steeped in centuries-old traditions. One of the most famous elements of a Macedonian Orthodox ceremony is the crowning of the bride and groom with grand gold crowns. The crowns symbolise the beginning of a new kingdom and the glory and honour bestowed upon them by God. The crowns are often tethered together with a piece of ribbon, symbolising the couple's eternal commitment to one another.
The crowning ceremony takes place after the exchanging of the rings, and it is what truly distinguishes an Orthodox wedding from all others. During the ceremony, the priest first places a crown on the groom's head while reciting the crown blessing three times. The blessing is as follows: "The servant of God, [groom's name], is crowned unto the handmaiden of God, [bride's name], in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The priest then places a crown on the bride's head, reciting the same blessing, but with the bride and groom's names swapped. The priest then chants, "O Lord, our God, crown them with glory and honour," while lifting both crowns and switching them back and forth over the couple's heads three times.
In the past, the bride and groom were expected to wear their crowns for a full week after their wedding, with an official "removal of the crowns" ceremony. Nowadays, it is more common for the priest to perform a quick ceremony after the couple returns from their honeymoon. The crowns are typically displayed in a case, either in the bedroom or living room, or stored in a china cabinet.
The crowns are not just a symbol of the couple's commitment to each other, but also signify their new roles as king and queen of their newly created family. The crowns are a visible reminder of the glory and honour bestowed upon them by God and the authority they have been entrusted with to rule their family in faith, love, and harmony with Christ.
The gold crowns are just one example of the many unique traditions that make a Macedonian wedding ceremony so special and memorable. From the shaving of the groom to the "buying" of the bride, these centuries-old customs add a touch of humour, symbolism, and tradition to the celebrations.
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The shaving of the groom
Another interesting tradition is the "buying of the bride," where the groomsmen engage in a lighthearted bartering game with the bride's family, reminiscent of dowry payments from the past. In addition, before leaving for the ceremony, the bride deliberately kicks over a glass of water to symbolise a life together as smooth and flowing as water.
Macedonian weddings also involve a traditional Orthodox ceremony, rich in symbolism. One of the most famous elements is the crowning of the bride and groom with grand gold crowns, tied together with a ribbon. These crowns represent the honour and glory bestowed upon them by God, as well as the beginning of their new kingdom together.
The reception is typically where the energy and excitement peak. In a display of ancient masculinity, male members of the wedding party perform the 'Pig Dance,' dancing into the reception with bottles of wine, knives, and a roasted pig, demanding 'payment' for the feast from the godparents.
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The buying of the bride
A Macedonian wedding is a grand affair, full of dancing, food, and family, and steeped in centuries-old traditions. One of the most well-known traditions is the "buying of the bride", which takes place before the wedding ceremony. Here is a detailed description of this unique custom:
The "buying of the bride" is a lighthearted tradition that takes place when the groom and his groomsmen arrive at the bride's house before the wedding ceremony. This custom is a throwback to the days when a groom would literally buy his bride from her family, similar to the practice of dowry payments. Today, it is done in a playful manner, with the groomsmen bartering with the bride's family until a price is agreed upon. This tradition is not just about exchanging money but is filled with joy and excitement as the bride's family playfully blocks the groom's entry.
On the day of the wedding, the groom leads a street parade with a Macedonian band to the bride's house. The bride watches the groom's arrival through her engagement ring and a wooden sieve, repeating, "Through this ring I look at you; welcome me to your heart." The groomsmen assist the best man, or "dever," in entering the bride's room and bartering with her family. The "dever" is a unique role in Macedonian weddings, similar to a best man, and his girlfriend also has an important role in the wedding.
The "buying of the bride" is a fun and lively tradition that brings together both families and sets the tone for the joyous celebration to come. It is a reminder of the cultural significance and rich history that Macedonian weddings hold.
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The shoe ceremony
Macedonian weddings are extravagant affairs, steeped in tradition and symbolism. One such tradition is the shoe ceremony, which takes place before the wedding. The shoe ceremony is a symbolic ritual that is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the young couple.
During the shoe ceremony, the brother-in-law of the bride plays a crucial role. He carries a pair of bridal shoes, which are deliberately one size bigger than the bride's feet. The shoes are then filled with money by the brother-in-law, a gesture that symbolises the couple's future wealth and prosperity. The amount of money added to the shoes is carefully calculated so that the shoes fit the bride's feet perfectly once they are filled. This act of filling the shoes with money is also seen as a way to ward off any financial difficulties the couple may face in their married life together.
In some variations of the shoe ceremony, the brother-in-law is assisted by an unmarried girl from the bride's side of the family. As he fills the shoes with money, she ties a knot on his hand, and once she finishes, either the girl playfully slaps the brother-in-law, or he seizes the opportunity to steal a kiss from her. This lighthearted moment adds a touch of humour to the ceremony.
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The reception, including the pig dance
The reception is the longest part of a Macedonian wedding. After the ceremony, the bride's and groom's parents stand outside the reception hall to welcome guests and receive gifts. The guests are then received by the bride and groom and assisted to their seats by a family member. Macedonian weddings are usually large, with around 300 guests, so the process of receiving guests can take a while. The bride and groom then leave the hall and re-enter to be reintroduced in a special way.
The reception is filled with loud music, food, and dancing. The traditional Macedonian dance, the 'Oro', is performed by the couple, their families, and friends. Everyone holds hands and stands in a circle, representing the circle of life and family. The dance is accompanied by the waving of handkerchiefs in the air.
One unique aspect of the Macedonian wedding reception is the "Pig Dance", a display of ancient masculinity. In this ceremony, the male members of the wedding party dance into the reception, wielding bottles of wine, knives, forks, and a roasted pig. They dance and shout in front of the godparents, demanding "payment" for the feast.
Another tradition at the reception involves a round loaf of bread, baked by a young unmarried girl from the bride's family. The bread is round like a wedding ring to symbolise something that has no beginning or end. The godfather of the bride or groom lifts the bread over the heads of the married couple as they dance under it. The couple then compete to break the bread, with the winner believed to be the head of the household.
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Frequently asked questions
The entire wedding celebration can last several days, with festivities often continuing until around 1:30 am. The ceremony itself is followed by a reception, which is typically the longest part of the day.
At the reception, the bride and groom will greet their guests, who will bring gifts such as chocolates, flowers, kitchen tools, and money. There will be lots of food, music, and dancing.
Traditional Macedonian wedding dishes include roasted lamb and veal, stuffed peppers, rice pilaf, sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), and burek (phyllo-dough filled with cheese or meat).
Macedonian weddings feature a mix of traditional and modern music. Traditional instruments include the gajda (bagpipe), šupelka (flute), kemane (3-string fiddle), tambura (long-necked lute), zurla (double-reed horn), tapan (drum), kaval (flute), and the accordion.
Guests typically have two outfits—one for the day and one for the evening.
