Traditional weddings in Bucovina and India

Marriage is one of the most important steps in human life and is the basis of society, irrespective of religion. Although religious customs are preserved, each culture tends to develop its own way of celebrating the event, their costumes and customs. The concept of marriage has changed enormously over the years and continues to do increasingly more

Nothing better defines the spirit of Bukovina than its ancient traditions. In the Country Top of Moldova customs and fascinating wedding dances are celebrated with great joy. Today, only the elderly remember the most important moments of a wedding ritual autochthonous, while young people completely ignore the promptings grandparents. The most common traditions and customs related to wedding in Bukovina are wooing the bride, engagement ring, choosing godparents, choice knights and ladies of honor, shaving groom, bride's veil, preparing bride, bride dance, bride cake, wedding rings, groom waltz, stealing the bride, wedding cake, removing the veil, bouquet toss.

Indian weddings are very special. Although, as the name suggests is mainly in India, this kind of marriage is a goal for Western countries. Most exciting is, however, attend an Indian wedding at home. And as every nation has its own traditions and customs of marriage in India we find the following: Sagai (espousal), Mangalasnana (the holy bath), Kanyadan (bride groom is given), Mangalasutra (groom ties a chain around the neck of the bride),Var Mala (exchange garlands), Saptapadi(7 vows), Panigrahana (groom holding hands bride). Last ceremony is "Vidai", the girl's family say goodbye to her.

WEDDING IN BUCOVINA

- BRIDE'S OUTFIT

At the wedding the couple wears traditional costumes. The bride wears a “fotă”(a richly-ornamented wrap-around skirt) and a “ie “. Also she can accessorize the outfit using flowers.

- THE FORGIVENESS

Asking the parents for pardons is an extremely important phase of the wedding ritual. The bride and the groom have to ask for pardons from their parents, siblings, and relatives, because they are oftentimes move to a different household. The bond between the lovers is acceptable only if the parents are giving their consent.

- THE PARTY

After the arriving of the groom to the bride’s house, the mother-in-law are meting the guests with a coil and salt. There is a lot of orations for the grooms at the party. People are giving money to the couple and the amount of money given is announced aloud.

- UNDRESSING THE BRIDE

The headkerchief of the bride was given at the end of the wedding to another girl that was going to marry soon. Also the bride has to give to the groom parents a gift.

- COST OF WEDDING

In Bucovina, a traditional wedding for 100 people costs around $11,000. Why? I know that sounds like a ridiculous amount of money to spend on one day, but the costs of the wedding will vary greatly depending on the choices made by the couple and especially the number of guests. The biggest expense is normally rellated the food and drinks, so the more people you have, the more it costs. However, it rarely is an expense on the family because of the gifted money, which basically covers the costs and usually even leaves the newlyweds with some extra money as well. All restaurants only require a down payment, with the rest of the money being paid after the wedding - because this is how things work here.