Lyla Dejesus
Russian weddings are known for their fun, lighthearted, and whimsical nature, incorporating a mix of traditional and Western rituals. The duration of a Russian Orthodox wedding can vary, with the ceremony typically lasting between 20 minutes and an hour, followed by a celebratory dinner and reception with dancing, singing, toasting, and banqueting. The entire wedding celebration can last anywhere from two days to a week, with the first day dedicated to the ceremony and ring exchange. Russian weddings are filled with exuberant rituals, games and pranks, reflecting the country's diverse cultural influences and rich history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | Between two days and one week |
| Ceremony length | 20 minutes to an hour |
| Civil ceremony length | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Traditions | Crowns, rings, toasts, gifts, dancing, singing, banqueting, games, pranks, decorative dolls, bouquet-throwing, plate-breaking |
| Atmosphere | Fun, lighthearted, whimsical, opulent, hospitable |
| Participants | Bride, groom, priest, best man, bridesmaid/maid of honour, witnesses, wedding party, family, friends |
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What You'll Learn
The ceremony
Russian Orthodox weddings follow a template that cannot be personalised. The ceremony can last anywhere between 20 minutes and an hour. It begins with guests taking their seats, followed by live classical music played during the processional. The first part of the ceremony is the betrothal, where the couple becomes officially engaged and their wedding rings are blessed by the priest. The couple also receives lit candles, symbolising the light of God, which they hold for the remainder of the ceremony.
After the betrothal, the priest leads the couple into the centre of the church, where they stand on a piece of new, rose-coloured fabric, symbolising their entry into a new life. The couple then publicly professes that they are marrying of their own free will and that they have not promised themselves to another. Following this, the priest places crowns on the heads of the bride and groom, which are then held over their heads by members of the wedding party. These crowns symbolise the glory and honour bestowed on the couple by God, as well as the self-sacrifice asked of them.
After the crowning, there are readings from the Epistle and Gospel, followed by more prayers and the sharing of a "common cup" of wine (or grape juice) by the couple. At the end of the ceremony, the priest holds icons of the couple's patron saints above their heads. The priest then places a garland on their heads, and women in the wedding party sprinkle seeds on the couple to ensure prosperity. Finally, the priest blesses the couple and dismisses the wedding party and congregation.
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$28.88
The reception
The newlyweds and their witnesses often travel around the city in a limousine, touring historical sites and taking photographs, before meeting the other guests for the reception. The wedding car is usually decorated with a doll, which is believed to collect the enthusiasm and good wishes of the people. This doll is later washed and kept by the couple for luck.
At the reception, guests are encouraged to drop money on the floor, which is meant to help the couple establish their new life together. The first toast is made to the newlyweds, and after the first shot, guests shout "Goŕko" ("bitter"), and the couple must kiss for a long time to counteract the bitter taste of the wine or grape juice. The second toast is made to the parents. The guests then dance, sing, play games, and make more toasts as the night goes on. There is usually an entertainer (tamada) who organizes the games and dancing and ensures the guests get to know each other.
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Traditions
Russian weddings are known for their fun, lighthearted, and whimsical traditions, influenced by the country's rich history and diverse culture. The ceremonies are often filled with exuberant rituals, games, and pranks, reflecting the importance of joy and celebration in Russian wedding culture. While Russian weddings have evolved differently in various regions, they retain several common traditions. Here are some of the unique traditions that you might encounter at a Russian Orthodox wedding:
Betrothal and Ring Exchange
The betrothal is a significant part of the Orthodox ceremony, where the couple becomes officially engaged, and their wedding rings are blessed by the priest. This ceremony is not considered the actual wedding but is a crucial step in the process. The exchange of rings is usually done during the first day of the wedding. In modern times, the rings are given to the couple by a married couple, with the wife placing the ring on the bride first, followed by her husband, who places the ring on the groom.
Crowning of the Couple
One of the most distinctive Russian Orthodox wedding traditions is the crowning of the couple. The priest places crowns on the heads of the bride and groom, symbolizing the glory and honour bestowed on them by God. The crowns also represent the couple as king and queen of their domain, expected to rule their home with wisdom and integrity. In the past, the couple would wear these crowns for eight days, but now they are typically removed after the service.
Symbolic Gestures and Rituals
Russian weddings are replete with symbolic rituals. For instance, the couple stands on a new, rose-coloured piece of fabric, symbolizing their entry into a new life together. They also share a "common cup" of wine or grape juice, sealing their union. Another ritual involves breaking crystal glasses, with the number of shards representing the number of years the marriage will last. The wedding car is usually decorated with a doll believed to absorb good wishes, which the couple later keeps for luck.
Toasts and Celebrations
Toasts play a crucial role in Russian weddings, with the first toast being made to the newlyweds and the second to their parents. After the toasts, the couple traditionally shares their first dance, followed by more dancing, singing, and games. The guests shout "Goŕko" ("bitter"), prompting the couple to kiss for an extended period to counteract the bitter taste of the wine. The celebrations can last for several days, with the family continuing to eat, drink, and rejoice.
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Customs
Russian weddings are known for their fun, lighthearted, and whimsical nature, incorporating a mix of traditional and Western traditions. They are also known for their elaborate opulence and warm hospitality. The weddings can last anywhere from two days to one week, with activities like dancing, singing, toasting, and banqueting.
Betrothal
The first part of the Orthodox ceremony is the betrothal, where the couple becomes officially engaged and their wedding rings are blessed by the priest. The couple also receives lit candles, which they hold for the rest of the ceremony, symbolizing God's light in their lives and their willingness to accept Him. The sign of marriage in the Eastern Orthodox Church is not the exchange of rings but the placing of crowns on the heads of the bride and groom, known as the "Mystery of Crowning."
Crowns
The crowns symbolize the glory and honor that God bestows on the couple during their marriage, acknowledging them as king and queen of their domain, which they are expected to rule with wisdom and integrity. In the past, the couple would wear these crowns for eight days, but nowadays, they are usually removed after the service.
Ransom
Before the wedding ceremony, the groom must pay a "ransom" to "free" his "kidnapped" bride when he arrives at her parents' home.
Reception
The wedding reception is filled with exuberant rituals, including toasts, gifts, and dancing. The first toast is made to the newlyweds, followed by a kiss to counteract the bitter taste of the wine. The second toast is made to the parents. The bride and groom then share a common cup of wine, and the guests continue to dance, sing, play games, and make more toasts throughout the night.
Bouquet Toss
Similar to Western weddings, at the end of the reception, the bride turns away from the guests and throws her bouquet to the young women, who try to catch it, as it is believed that the catcher will be the next to marry.
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Length
The length of a Russian Orthodox wedding can vary, with the ceremony lasting anywhere between 20 minutes and an hour. However, the celebrations often extend beyond the ceremony, lasting anywhere from two days to a week.
The ceremony itself follows a template that cannot be personalized and includes the famous Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn. The first part of the Orthodox ceremony is the betrothal, where the couple becomes officially engaged, and their wedding rings are blessed by a priest. The couple also receives lit candles symbolizing the light of God, which they hold for the remainder of the ceremony. After the ceremony, the couple typically has a celebratory dinner with friends and family at a separate venue or restaurant.
Following the traditional ceremony, the couple must also participate in a civil ceremony called "rospis' v zagse," which takes place at the Department of Public Services (formerly known as ZAGS). This civil ceremony ranges from 15 to 30 minutes, during which the rings are exchanged, and the couple is pronounced husband and wife.
The wedding celebrations in Russian culture are known to be fun, lighthearted, and whimsical, with various games and pranks involved. They are also an opportunity for opulence and warm hospitality. The festivities include dancing, singing, toasting, and banqueting. One unique tradition is the "crowning of the couple," where ornamental crowns are held above the heads of the bride and groom, symbolizing the glory and honor bestowed on them by God.
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Frequently asked questions
The ceremony can last anywhere between 20 minutes and an hour.
The wedding celebration can last between two days and one week.
The ceremony is divided into two parts: the betrothal, where the couple becomes officially engaged and their wedding rings are blessed, and the second part where the couple is crowned.
After the ceremony, the couple typically has a celebratory dinner with friends and family at a separate venue or restaurant.
The best man and the bridesmaid are called "Witnesses" in Russian. They also play a role in the crowning ceremony, where they hold the crowns over the couple's heads.
