Friday, December 3, 2010

Traditional Slavic Wedding

Getting to know traditions of other countries is always fun.  This cute couple started out the day with a traditional Catholic ceremony.
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It was beautiful and sweet.
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Apparently it is traditional to decorate their vehicles and all of the family/close friends travel around together for pictures and to visit special places and then to head all together to the reception. The first place they visited was the graveyard.  Eva’s father had passed away last January and she want to visit his grave in respect to him on her special day.
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Then they all headed out to the beach for a few photos there.
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Upon reaching the hotel where the reception was held, they walked in, had a toast then a friend broke a plate in honor of their joining.  Then they had to clean it up together.
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The next important moment was the first dance.
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But unlike other first dances, all of the guest joined them on the dance floor in a large circle and dance right along with them.  It was really cool!
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The next big moment of the evening was them feeding each other soup.  I’m thinking that this must signify how they would help each other all through life – always providing what the other needs.
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They did the things that we do here as well, like cutting the cake and feeding it to each other.
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But what was really fun is how many times she changed clothes!  After the cake cutting, she went and changed into a little red dress.  Then all the guests took turns dancing with her.  BUT, they had to “pay” for the dance, by throwing money into a bowl and then drinking a shot.
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Eventually, the groom, Michal, claimed his bride and took her away.
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When she returned, she was wearing yet another dress.  And that is truly when the partying began.  Those people LOVED to dance!  It was good times!
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