Franklin Dean
Armenian weddings are steeped in tradition and ritual, with many customs being respected and upheld to the present day. The attire worn by the couple is particularly symbolic, with the bride and groom's outfits historically featuring the colours red and green, symbolising happiness, fertility, peace, life and sacrifice. In modern times, brides tend to wear white, but often change into a party dress later in the evening. Brides may also wear an 'evil eye' charm to ward off evil spirits, and jewellery to symbolise prosperity. The groom's attire is often expensive and of high quality, with red and green sashes pinned to his shirt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bride's attire colour | Traditionally red, but modern brides usually wear white |
| Bride's attire style | Modest, long gown with a veil |
| Groom's attire colour | Red and green sashes or ribbons |
| Groom's attire style | Tuxedo |
| Groom's accessories | Watch, a gift from the bride's parents |
| Bride's accessories | "Evil eye" charm in blue to ward off evil spirits |
| Gifts | Gold, cash, jewellery, money, household goods |
| Traditions | Blocking of the doorway by the bride's family members as the couple exits the bride's house |
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What You'll Learn
Brides: wear white, red, or a family heirloom
Armenian brides traditionally wore red dresses, which symbolised happiness and the family hearth. However, nowadays, most brides opt for a white wedding dress, often in a Western style. This is usually a modest, long gown with a veil.
If you want to pay homage to the traditional Armenian wedding dress, you could incorporate red into your outfit through accessories, such as a sash or ribbons. You could also wear a lot of gold jewellery—a traditional gift at Armenian weddings—which is believed to protect the bride from misfortune and bad luck.
Another Armenian wedding tradition is to wear an 'evil eye' charm, which is said to protect the wearer from evil spirits or curses.
If you want to wear something borrowed or old, you could consider wearing a family heirloom. In the past, Armenian brides would wear their finest garment, often passed down through generations, rather than a separate wedding dress.
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Grooms: wear a tux, with red and green sashes
Armenian weddings are steeped in tradition and are some of the most joyous and spectacular celebrations. The attire worn by the groom and bride includes colours of red and green, and symbols of health and prosperity.
The groom usually wears a tuxedo, with a watch that is often gifted by the bride's parents. In Iranian Armenian tradition, the groom wears crisscrossed, coloured sashes pinned to his shirt—a red sash symbolising sacrifice and a green sash symbolising life. The groom's family will present richly decorated trays of cognac and chocolate, flowers, jewellery and the bride's shoes to the bride's family.
The sashes are usually decorated with stitched motifs of grapes, pomegranates, and wheat, all symbols of health, prosperity, and happiness. The groom may keep the sashes on throughout the ceremony and reception, or he may take them off before the reception, depending on his preference. The sashes are made by a family member, and the materials can be purchased at any fabric store.
The red and green ribbon ceremony is an old Armenian tradition, mainly kept by Armenians in specific areas of Iran, such as Isfahan. The colours signify peace, life, and sacrifice. The groom's side makes the ribbons and takes them to the bride's house, where a female member of the groom's family, usually the wisest woman, starts fastening the sashes on the groom's white shirt.
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Gifts: gold, money, and jewellery
In Armenian culture, gold, money, and jewellery are all common gifts given to the newlyweds or bridal party. Gold is considered a traditional gift, representing safety and protection from evil spirits. In the past, gold was given as coins, but today, gold jewellery is a popular alternative. Jewellery, in general, is believed to protect the wearer from bad luck and is often given to the bride by the groom's family. The groom's mother or the groom himself may present the bride with an expensive piece of jewellery, along with other gifts, during the official engagement dinner. This gift exchange is a symbolic tradition that represents the joining of the two families.
Money is also a customary gift at Armenian weddings, with guests often presenting cash gifts to the newlyweds during a dance or toast. It is considered a good opportunity to give money when the couple is entering the banquet hall, as guests traditionally shower them with sweets, nuts, and coins for good luck. In addition to this, the bride's brother or cousin may place money in the bride's shoes as a symbol of good luck before helping her put them on.
Armenian weddings are known for their lavish celebrations, with a large number of guests and impressive budgets. The gift of money is a practical way to contribute to the high costs associated with these extravagant weddings.
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Bride's family: block the doorway with a sword
Armenian weddings are joyous and spectacular celebrations, steeped in tradition. One such tradition is the blocking of the doorway by the bride's family as the newlyweds are exiting the bride's house. This is usually done by the brother or cousin of the bride, who plays the role of the 'bouncer'.
In the past, the bride's brother would block the entrance of the sponsor (known as the 'kavor') and the newlyweds at the bride's home with a sword, demanding a 'bribe' before allowing the couple to leave for the church. The sword has been replaced in some modern weddings with a string or other ornament, and the exchange of money is usually done discreetly. The groom's family may step in and offer a higher amount of cash to satisfy the bouncer, and the money often returns to the sponsor anyway. This tradition is symbolic of the bride leaving her old family and joining a new one.
The bride's family may also block the doorway to allow time for the bride to change into her formal wedding gown. Traditionally, Armenian brides wore red dresses, but nowadays, most brides opt for a white gown, often with a veil. The groom usually wears a tuxedo with a watch, gifted by the bride's parents, and coloured sashes in red and green, symbolising sacrifice and life, respectively.
Armenian weddings are also characterised by the gift-giving of gold jewellery, believed to protect the bride from misfortune and bad luck, and to scare away evil spirits. It is customary for the groom's family to arrive at the bride's house bearing gifts, and for the bride's family to help her get ready.
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Groom's family: bring flowers and chocolates
Armenian weddings are steeped in tradition, with many customs and rituals being respected and followed to this day. One such tradition is the groom's family bringing flowers and chocolates when they visit the bride's home for a formal dinner, tea, or coffee. This event, known as Khosk-Arnel or Khosk-Kap, is a significant part of Armenian wedding culture.
During the Khosk-Arnel or Khosk-Kap, the groom's family presents the bride's family with beautifully arranged floral bouquets and boxes of chocolates. This act symbolizes the merging of the two families and is accompanied by other gifts, such as jewellery, clothing, and monetary presents. The groom's family may also bring a bottle of cognac, which the best man traditionally opens and serves with a tray of chocolates. These gifts are a way for the groom's family to celebrate the union and show their affection for the bride's family.
The floral arrangements are carefully selected and often include symbolic colours such as red and green, which represent happiness, life, sacrifice, and fertility in Armenian culture. The chocolates are typically of high quality and elegantly packaged, reflecting the importance of the occasion.
In addition to flowers and chocolates, the groom's family may also bring other gifts specifically for the bride. These can include jewellery, which is believed to protect her from misfortune and evil spirits, and the bride's shoes, which play a significant role in Armenian wedding traditions. The groom's family may also present the bride with a white wedding dress, as modern Armenian brides often opt for a Western-style white gown, sometimes with a veil, instead of the traditional red dress.
The groom's family's visit to the bride's home is a joyous occasion filled with hospitality and celebration. It is an opportunity for the two families to come together, get to know each other, and formally approve of the union through traditions like asking for the bride's hand in marriage. This tradition, though losing popularity, is still often communicated by the groom to the bride's immediate family in some form. Overall, the exchange of flowers and chocolates, along with other gifts, is a heartwarming aspect of Armenian wedding traditions, showcasing the generosity and cordiality of the Armenian community.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional colours associated with Armenian weddings are red and green, symbolising happiness, fertility, peace, life and sacrifice. Nowadays, brides usually wear white, but the groom may wear sashes or ribbons in the traditional colours.
Armenian brides usually wear a modest, traditional Western-style white wedding dress, often with a veil. The dress should be the bride's finest garment, carefully preserved and worn again on special occasions.
Armenian brides often wear gold jewellery as a gift from the groom's family. This is believed to protect the bride from bad luck and evil spirits. It is also traditional for the bride to wear an "evil eye" charm in blue to ward off evil spirits and bad fortune.
Armenian weddings are joyous and spectacular celebrations with lots of food, drink, songs and dancing. Guests should be prepared to participate in the dancing and eat a lot. There is no specific dress code, but guests should be aware that the bride's family may block the doorway as the couple is exiting, demanding payment from the groom or his family.
It is traditional to give gold or money as a gift at an Armenian wedding, as these are believed to bring safety and good luck. Gifts of jewellery, or household goods are also appropriate.
