Marrying A Ukrainian Lady? - Learn Their Marriage Traditions
Peter Finch
Ukraine is a country with a long and rich history during which a variety of customs developed, including Ukrainian marriage traditions.
First of all I want to mention that even though for many women, in some countries marriage has greatly devalued and they do not seek anymore to marry or keep marriage traditions, in Ukraine lots of ladies still take it seriously and make it one of the top priorities in their lives.
Since marriage for Ukrainian ladies is one of the biggest and most outstanding events of their lives, they also tend to keep both more contemporary, religious and historical Ukrainian marriage traditions. Now Ukraine official marriage is effective only in State Registry offices and no notary or church priest has the legal power to register the marriage.
The above regulation was promulgated during the Soviet rule in conjunction with newly created traditions and regulations. Currently however, Ukrainians no longer keep the Soviet system and prefer to go back to their own national and religious practices.
So if you plan to get married in Ukraine you will have no choice in terms of registering your marriage. You have a choice, though, on what traditions you want to follow and what kind of wedding reception you want to have after. Aside from the civil wedding ceremony at the State Registry Office, you could also opt to have another church wedding ceremony or having a modern wedding celebrations. To please all parties, you can could combine and keep all the religious and ethnic Ukrainian marriage traditions.
There are particular marriage traditions that have to be fulfilled even if the couple is just getting married in the State Registry Office. One is the exchange of rings. Another tradition is the drinking of champagne. Another practiced tradition goes like this: a couple is given a round, white loaf of bread and some salt. The newlyweds take a small piece of bread each which they dip into the salt and eat. Whatever is left of the loaf is then crushed on the floor to break it into pieces. It is believed that if the loaf breaks into many pieces, then the newlyweds will enjoy a happy married life.
As the couple leaves the establishment, they will be given an elaborately decorated towel which they will step on. There will be a rush to reach the towel first because the first one who steps on the towel will rule the house.
For the non-religious wedding celebration, the practice is to invite a lot of guests and fill a huge table with food and drinks. Generally, Ukrainian weddings are boisterous and overflowing with people. Guests come to drink, eat and celebrate in a big way. One of their unique traditions is the stealing away of the bride or the bride's shoe. The bridegroom and the best man will have to pay the ransom to get back his precious bride. He can pay in money or do quaint tasks, such as drinking champagne or vodka poured onto the bride's shoe.
The above are just among the most commonly practiced marriage traditions. Generally Ukrainians solemnly adhere to their traditions. So if you had in mind marrying a Ukrainian lady, it will be to your advantage to know and understand the importance of their traditions and be ready to follow them as well. It will also show your respect and affection to your fiances relatives who would, sooner or later be your relations too.
Ukraine women are known to be amongst the most beautiful, stylish, well dressed, educated
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