Russian weddings in Moscow.
One of the things I couldn’t help to notice were all the weddings that took place while we were in Moscow. There were weddings everywhere. We saw couples in Red Square, parks and around the city. It was still very cold in April but the brides and wedding party braved the cold weather in beautiful wedding attire.
Everywhere we went we practically bumped into a wedding. I took some of my favorite photos just by blending in with the crowd.
Our wedding in South Africa.
Andrey and I married in South Africa and I was curious to know what the difference was between our wedding and a traditional Russian wedding? I found out that there was in fact a big difference and it looked like a lot more fun.
Differences.
There are no rehearsals, bridesmaids or flower girls (but this is changing as more and more Western customs are being adopted). The best man and the maid of honor are called “witnesses” or in Russian “svideteli”.
The wedding celebration usually last for two days but can last up to a week. In the times of the Soviet Union, it was illegal to get married in the Church. Now people marry in the Russian Orthodox Church. But a lot of marriages still take place at the Department of Public Services or “ZAGS”. It is also here where you register the marriage.
The actual wedding.
So what is the actual wedding like?This is very interesting. The groom comes to the bride´s home with his closest friends and relatives. To get his bride he needs to pay some “ransom” to the parents of the bride. This is all a joke and both parties enjoy a little bit of humor before the wedding takes place.The couple now leaves the house (usually a limousine) to go for the marriage registration.
A lot of limousines.
We did see a lot of limousines and now I know why! They sprinkle the couple with coins and rice. The youngsters in the neighborhood demand candy or coins.The Orthodox marriage ceremony takes 30 -120 minutes in accordance with the Russian orthodox tradition. Apparently these weddings are beautiful. The civil ceremony is less formal.
The couple is greeted by the guests with bread and salt before the wedding. They exchange rings, say “I do” and sign the register. The civil ceremony takes 15 minutes. They walk out of the hall, husband and wife, to the music of Mendelssohn, played by the Russian Wedding orchestra (a recording in case you wondered).
A drive around town in the limousine.
After the official business has been taken care off it is time for the bride and groom, joined by their close friends and relatives to go on a city tour in the limousine. In Moscow popular stops are Red Square, Grave of the Unknown Soldier and Sparrow Hills near the Moscow State University. We saw wedding parties at all these places. Here they stop for photos and drink champagne.
Time for the party to start.
Usually by the end of the tour many guests are already singing and dancing.Now it is time for the real celebrations to start. Russian weddings are very loud, with a lot of eating, singing and dancing. For the first toats people usually drink Champagne. After the first sip somebody says “Gor´ko! Gor´ko!. It means “bitter”!
All guests have to shout “Gor´ko” together and the newlywed couple have to start kissing to make the champagne sweet. There is normally a lot of kissing at a Russian wedding. Guests also need to throw their champagne glasses on the floor. When it breaks it is a sign of good luck.
They choose formal venues for the party.
The have the party in a formal venue and a lot of work goes into the decoration of the hall. The bride chooses the decorations with care and normally includes Crystal glasses, Chandeliers,Chair Sashes and table gifts.
The groom constantly needs to keep an eye on his bride because friends will “steal” her and then he has to pay a ransom! The ransom is normally not money but Vodka. Two crossed golden rings are Russian symbol of marriage that may be also seen on wedding invitations etc.
Oh wow! I'm so envious now!How romantic can it be to get married in Russia! Some of the things done before marriage are quite common in almost all traditions… I'd seen Chinese marriages do that too. P.S. You look beautiful in your wedding dress! Love it! It makes me feel like wanting to get married now! Ahhh, where's my sweetheart?! Hehe
What a neat and fun way to get married!! THanks for sharing, I never knew the customs they use…really interesting! I love the architecture in the church too!Btw…I loved your dress! Beautiful and unique..and great bridesmaids dresses too!
You look gorgeous Nelieta! Thanks for the info… but once was enough for me. heheA
beautiful and happy you look. I am assuming that the first picture is of you and your husband!
My father is Russian/Hungarian and my mother was Polish. Growing up, I remember attending every wedding in my mother's side of the family. Great celebrations that lasted for days! Oh, so much fun and very similar. What great memories. Thanks for sharing. It was beautiful!
Hi Savira, no we are in the 2nd photo with my daughters. The first photo was taken close to Sparrow hill. I saw this beautiful couple and took the photo 🙂 I think we saw about 5 weddings that day!
Hi A, thank you! It was my 2nd time..for sure the last time!
Hi Mary, this is so interesting! Do you speak Russian? You must know a lot of Russian dishes. I have learnt so much from Andrey since we´ve been married about the Russian culture, traditions and food. It is so interesting and different to how I grew up.
Hi Jessica, thank you! I wanted something different. Some people might say it has an African feel to it. I wanted natural colours and this did it for me. The bridesmaids are my two girls!Glad you have liked the post and found it interesting.
Hi Jorie, maybe you should write something about the marriage traditions of the east. That should be interesting since we are on that topic!
This is giving me some ideas, i'm getting married this year 🙂
Wonderful Claire and congratulations!
Nelieta, you are stunning! And your daughters a chip off the old block, just as beautiful as their mom. The Russian Orthodox Church is a sight to behold. You took some fabulous shots, girl! During the Soviet Union days, why weren’t they allowed to marry in a church? The communist regime wouldn’t allow it?
Hi Debra, thank you so much!!!I had a field day in Russia taking photos. The women are incredibly stylish and beautiful 🙂 Yes under the Soviet Union people were not allowed to get married in the church. They were also not allowed to attend church. Religion had to be kept a secret. I am so happy things have changed. We attended an Easter service in the Orthodox church in Moscow. It was a wonderful experience.
Wow! the photos capture the essence of the place and people. Loved reading about the wedding customs.
Hi KalpanaS, thank you! I am glad you found the post and the photos interesting!
Hi KalpanaS, thank you! I am glad you found the post and the photos interesting!
Hi Mary, this is so interesting! Do you speak Russian? You must know a lot of Russian dishes. I have learnt so much from Andrey since we´ve been married about the Russian culture, traditions and food. It is so interesting and different to how I grew up.
Hi A, thank you! It was my 2nd time..for sure the last time!
Hi Debra, thank you so much!!!I had a field day in Russia taking photos. The women are incredibly stylish and beautiful 🙂 Yes under the Soviet Union people were not allowed to get married in the church. They were also not allowed to attend church. Religion had to be kept a secret. I am so happy things have changed. We attended an Easter service in the Orthodox church in Moscow. It was a wonderful experience.
Hi Savira, no we are in the 2nd photo with my daughters. The first photo was taken close to Sparrow hill. I saw this beautiful couple and took the photo 🙂 I think we saw about 5 weddings that day!
Hi Jorie, maybe you should write something about the marriage traditions of the east. That should be interesting since we are on that topic!
Hi Jessica, thank you! I wanted something different. Some people might say it has an African feel to it. I wanted natural colours and this did it for me. The bridesmaids are my two girls!Glad you have liked the post and found it interesting.