{"id":2545,"date":"2012-01-18T08:00:54","date_gmt":"2012-01-18T08:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=2545"},"modified":"2012-01-18T05:16:08","modified_gmt":"2012-01-18T05:16:08","slug":"how-to-celebrate-wedding-russian-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/how-to-celebrate-wedding-russian-style\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Celebrate a Wedding \u043f\u043e-\u0440\u0443\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Doesn’t look like much, does it? Yet this fairly unassuming doorway, with a four-letter acronym \u0417\u0410\u0413\u0421, leads to a life of (hopefully) married bliss. This particular door is for the \u0417\u0410\u0413\u0421 is in my hometown of Volgograd. I walked by it countless times as a child and was inside the office only twice, at a friend’s wedding and at my grandparents’ fiftieth anniversary.<\/em><\/p>\n

I am going shopping for a set of two \u0444\u0430\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u0441\u043e\u0432\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u043a\u0438<\/strong> (earthenware tea cups) today. It is a gift for a friend who is celebrating \u0434\u0435\u0432\u044f<\/span>\u0442\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0434\u043e\u0432\u0449\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u044c\u0431\u044b<\/strong> (ninth wedding anniversary). In Russia, the ninth is known as \u0444\u0430\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u0441\u043e\u0432\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u044c\u0431\u0430<\/strong> (earthenware wedding). So let\u2019s talk weddings today.<\/p>\n

Have you ever had a chance to be a guest at a Russian wedding? If not, you can still observe some of the traditions while vacationing in Russia and touring the sights. So what exactly is \u0441\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u044c\u0431\u0430 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e-<\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438<\/strong> (Russian-style wedding).<\/p>\n

To begin with, it\u2019s a really big deal. Most weddings are celebrated \u0441 <\/strong>\u0440\u0430\u0437\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0445\u043e\u043c<\/strong> (in a big way). This doesn\u2019t necessarily mean \u0448\u0438\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u043d\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u0446\u0435\u0440\u0435\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f<\/strong> (lavish ceremony). The emphasis is on \u0447\u0438\u0441\u043b\u043e<\/span> <\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0435<\/span>\u0439<\/strong> (the number of guests) as well as on celebrating \u043e\u0442 <\/strong>\u0434\u0443\u0448\u0438<\/span><\/strong> (from the heart).<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start by learning Russian words for the most important participants in a wedding ceremony:<\/p>\n

\u0416\u0435\u043d\u0438<\/span>\u0445<\/strong> – a groom<\/p>\n

\u041d\u0435\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u0430<\/strong> – a bride<\/p>\n

\u0421\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u0438\u0446\u0430<\/strong> – a maid of honor (lit: a witness since she will be witnessing the registration of the marriage record)<\/p>\n

\u0421\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c<\/strong>, also known as \u0448\u0430<\/span>\u0444\u0435\u0440<\/strong> or \u0434\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0436\u043a\u0430<\/strong> – a best man (lit: a witness, for the same reason)<\/p>\n

Nowadays many Russian couples \u0432\u0435\u043d\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u044e\u0442\u0441\u044f <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u0446\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u043a\u0432\u0438<\/strong> (have a church wedding ceremony). \u0412\u0435\u043d\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435<\/strong> literally means crowning. During the ceremony \u0441\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/strong> (see above \u0441\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c<\/strong> and \u0441\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u0438\u0446\u0430<\/strong>) hold \u0432\u0435\u043d\u043a\u0438<\/span><\/strong> (wedding crowns or wreaths) over the couple\u2019s heads.<\/p>\n

The official paperwork is not handled by the church, but instead the happy couple goes to \u0440\u0430\u0441\u043f\u0438\u0441\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u0441\u044f<\/strong> (register the union, lit: sign) to a local \u043e\u0442\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043b <\/strong>\u0437\u0430<\/span>\u043f\u0438\u0441\u0435\u0439 <\/strong>\u0433\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e <\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u0441\u0442\u043e\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f<\/strong> (registry office), \u0417\u0410\u0413\u0421 for short.<\/p>\n

But before that happens, a groom must go through an ordeal known as \u0432\u044b<\/span>\u043a\u0443\u043f <\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u044b<\/strong> (paying ransom for the bride). It is a game in which the groom and his friends are met at the entrance into bride\u2019s house or apartment building by bride\u2019s friends and guests.<\/p>\n

To advance, a groom must pass through a series of tests, such as come up with as many \u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0432\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0438\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0430<\/span><\/strong> (tender names) for his \u0441\u0443<\/span>\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0430\u044f<\/strong> (bride, lit: the intended one) as there are steps to the door. He might be challenged to remember meaningful dates and numbers – date of \u043f\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0432\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435<\/strong> (first date), date when he \u0441\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u0430\u043b <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u043b\u043e\u0436\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435<\/strong> (proposed), the bride\u2019s clothing sizes, etc. Or he might have to dance or sing or pass other tests. If he doesn\u2019t pass a test, he can buy his way to the bride\u2019s door by giving away candy, chocolates, Champaign, vodka, or money.<\/p>\n

Once the groom gets to the bride, they make their way outside to \u0441\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u0431\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u043a\u043e\u0440\u0442\u0435<\/span>\u0436<\/strong> (a wedding train or cavalcade). It is easy to tell the bride-and-groom\u2019s car in the procession.<\/p>\n

Not only will it be the front car, but also the fanciest looking one and the most decorated. Some of the most popular decorations include large golden \u043e\u0431\u0440\u0443\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u0435<\/strong> \u043a\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u0446\u0430<\/strong> (wedding bands), \u0446\u0432\u0435\u0442\u044b<\/span><\/strong> (flowers), \u043b\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u044b<\/strong> (ribbons), \u043a\u0443<\/span>\u043a\u043b\u044b-<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u044b<\/strong> (dolls dressed up in wedding dresses), \u0432\u043e\u0437\u0434\u0443<\/span>\u0448\u043d\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u0440\u044b<\/span><\/strong> (balloons), and \u043a\u043e\u043b\u043e\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u0447\u0438\u043a\u0438<\/strong> (bells).<\/p>\n

At this point, the bride and groom are driven to \u0417\u0410\u0413\u0421<\/strong> (registry office) where they will go through a short \u0446\u0435\u0440\u0435\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f <\/strong>\u0431\u0440\u0430\u043a\u043e\u0441\u043e\u0447\u0435\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f<\/strong> (marriage ceremony):<\/p>\n

The bride and the groom enter \u043f\u043e\u0434 <\/strong>\u0437\u0432\u0443<\/span>\u043a\u0438 <\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u0431\u043d\u043e\u0439 <\/strong>\u043c\u0443<\/span>\u0437\u044b\u043a\u0438<\/strong> (accompanied by the wedding music). Traditionally, it\u2019s \u0421\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u0431\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u043c\u0430\u0440\u0448 <\/strong>\u041c\u0435\u043d\u0434\u0435\u043b\u044c\u0441\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u0430<\/strong> (Mendelson\u2019s Wedding March). \u0420\u0435\u0433\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u043e\u0440<\/strong> (registering official) greets everyone and addresses the couple with a pretty standard spiel.<\/p>\n

She \u00a0reminds everyone that this is \u0441\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0435\u043a\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0437\u0430\u0431\u044b\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0435\u043c\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u0431\u044b<\/span>\u0442\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u0436\u0438<\/span>\u0437\u043d\u0438<\/strong> (the most beautiful and unforgettable event in life). She mentions the importance of family and \u0432\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043a\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u043b\u0433 <\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u0443\u0433 <\/strong>\u043f\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u0434 <\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0433\u043e\u043c <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u043f\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u0434 <\/strong>\u0431\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0443\u0449\u0438\u043c <\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u0442\u0435<\/span>\u0439<\/strong> (great obligation to each other and to the future of children).<\/p>\n

Then \u0431\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0447\u0430\u0449\u0438\u0435\u0441\u044f<\/strong> or \u0431\u0440\u0430\u0447\u0443<\/span>\u044e\u0449\u0438\u0435\u0441\u044f<\/strong> (entering into the marriage; an official and infrequently used word) confirm that their decision to create a family is \u0438<\/span><\/strong>\u0441\u043a\u0440\u0435\u043d\u043d\u0435\u0435<\/strong> (sincere), \u0432\u0437\u0430\u0438<\/span>\u043c\u043d\u043e\u0435<\/strong> (mutual) and \u0441\u0432\u043e\u0431\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u043e\u0435<\/strong> (here: of free will). Once the bride and the groom both answer \u0434\u0430<\/strong>, they sign the registry.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s when the words \u043e\u0431\u044a\u044f\u0432\u043b\u044f<\/span>\u044e <\/strong>\u0432\u0430\u0441 <\/strong>\u043c\u0443<\/span>\u0436\u0435\u043c <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u0436\u0435\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0439<\/strong> (I declare you a husband and a wife) are finally said and the newlyweds \u0446\u0435\u043b\u0443<\/span>\u044e\u0442\u0441\u044f<\/strong> (kiss each other). The official then says a few \u043d\u0430\u043f\u0443<\/span>\u0442\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span><\/strong> (parting words), congratulates the couple and the guests and everyone gets to raise the first Champaign toast to the new family.<\/p>\n

Now that the official part is over with, the semi-official \u043f\u043e\u0435<\/span>\u0437\u0434\u043a\u0430 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e <\/strong>\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u043e\u0434\u0443<\/strong> (city tour) begins followed by a reception. More on that later. Now I have to go buy my \u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0439\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0441\u0435\u0440\u0432\u0438<\/span>\u0437<\/strong> (tea set or tea service) or I risk turning up at the friend\u2019s party \u0441 <\/strong>\u043f\u0443\u0441\u0442\u044b<\/span>\u043c\u0438 <\/strong>\u0440\u0443\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u0438<\/strong> (empty-handed).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Doesn’t look like much, does it? Yet this fairly unassuming doorway, with a four-letter acronym \u0417\u0410\u0413\u0421, leads to a life of (hopefully) married bliss. This particular door is for the \u0417\u0410\u0413\u0421 is in my hometown of Volgograd. I walked by it countless times as a child and was inside the office only twice, at a…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":2546,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[3,913],"tags":[117505,1137,1227,1288,117504],"class_list":["post-2545","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-traditions","tag-getting-married-in-russia","tag-life-in-russia","tag-russian-culture","tag-russian-traditions","tag-russian-wedding"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2545"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2547,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2545\/revisions\/2547"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}