Celebration!

Weddings are a wonderful thing, are they not?

Here's the thing. I'm a big wedding fan, and I'm even more so a bigger marriage fan. Call me traditional or conservative, but I do still believe in the the sanctity of marriage between two people that are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together. It is how I was raised.

Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral

My friend got married yesterday in the truest of Ukrainian tradition. Her ceremony was in the Ukrainian Catholic cathedral and her reception in a very classy setting, The Petroleum Club. If it is meant to be for me someday, this is very close to how I would like to get married and hold my own reception.

I would like to explain a bit about Ukrainian tradition and why it is so very important and integrated in my life. Being full Ukrainian (born in Canada), I was brought up in a religious and very cultural environment. Our religion is often integrated in many Ukrainian customs and traditions and personally, in my life, one cannot exist without the other. Before any big celebration or event, there is a time where we pray and give thanks to whatever it is we're celebrating. It shows that we are humble and that we respect a higher being that is above us, looking over us, giving us the chance to live our lives to the fullest. This is done for most events in the Ukrainian culture.

One of them being marriage. In case anyone is interested in understanding the goings on of Ukrainian weddings further, here is an excellent link

A big part in Ukrainian tradition is the actual marriage ceremony at any given Ukrainian church, whether it is Orthodox or Catholic. The priest yesterday said it well in his sermon. He is only a "government official", the messenger, where he asks God to bless the couple's union and that they may live in love till death do them part.

The ceremony involves-
-the declaration of consent (I do's)
-the litany of peace and the giving of rings
-marriage vows (which are different in our culture. We do not write our own. There are specific ones that are written by the church)
-the crowning (wreaths that are placed on the heads of the couple usually made out of periwinkle or myrtle)

These wreaths are usually woven from myrtle—a symbol of love, purity and fertility. They are placed on the heads of the bride and groom to signify the dawn of a new kingdom to be ruled by the couple—side by side. They also remind the newlyweds that their marriage is a partnership in Christ, and that they owe it to God and to each other to live a life of honor and love.

-triple litany

The hands of the bride and groom are joined with an embroidered cloth, or rushnyk, to signify their newly forged union. Once bound to one another, the couple circles the tetrapod (small altar) three times. These are the first steps the young couple takes as husband and wife, so it is only fitting that they walk around the tetrapod—a symbol of Christ. 

-the blessing of the bride, which is a special blessing for just the bride. The priest asks the Virgin Mary to bless the bride with many children and successful motherhood (I love that part! Special prayer for just the bride, that is how special we are!)

-the signing of the registry

-and the recessional

Many aspects are the same as any other marriage ceremony but as I've written, there are many Ukrainian symbols and traditions that I find precious and feel truly connected to God and my culture.

A few more trivia points that I'd like to add:

-Grooms, it isn't bad luck to see your bride in her wedding dress BEFORE the ceremony. 

  A couple hours before the actual ceremony, the bride, the groom and their families gather at the home of the bride’s parents for the Blahoslovenya—or "blessing." At the Blahoslovenya, the parents of the bride and groom convey their formal approval and good wishes to the young couple. It is here that the two families officially become one. 

-The bride and groom walk up the aisle together

Unlike most western marriage ceremonies, in which the father of the bride "gives away" his daughter, the Ukrainian bride and groom enter the church together. There are two reasons for this. First, the father of the bride has already given his blessing at the Blahoslovenya, held earlier that day. Second, it is tradition that the bride and groom enter the church arm in arm—as equal partners. This spirit of teamwork and equality has always been at the heart of Ukrainian marriage. 

The bouquet

 Ok, so the ceremony is over. It's time to party, Ukrainian style! The bride and groom and their parents greet you at the door as you walk into the reception area. This is where you give them your present and well wishes. 

Present giving can also be done later in the night after alot of the dancing has happened and it's time for a midnight snack. Before grabbing the snack, you line up infront of the bride and groom, give them your present, have a vodka shot with them, and then off you go to the snack table. You can guess how drunk the bride and groom get as they have a shot with each couple that comes up! We definitely know how to party!

Wedding Cake

Korovai- Ukrainian wedding cake that is a special bread

In Ukraine, usually you only have the Ukrainian wedding cake or Korovai. Since we also embrace Canadian culture, we have a Canadian style wedding cake.

The table and centerpiece

Ukrainian Dancers

 Ukrainians may have an extensive ceremony in church, but they also have an extensive party afterwards. The reception almost always includes Ukrainian dancers making an appearance, a live Ukrainian band (In my friend's case, they got a band from Saskatoon Saskatchewan called Tyt I Tam (for music style, click the link)

Above all, all Ukrainian weddings have an open bar. Therefore, there shouldn't be any reason for people not to enjoy themselves thoroughly!

First Dance

One of my favorite parts of the reception is the first dance. Everyone gathers around and watches how the beautiful couple dances their first dance as husband and wife. My friend and her husband were so relaxed and you could tell that it did not matter who was looking. They were in their own little bubble of blissful happiness. The helpless romantic in me sighs every time. Truthfully, the best moments of the big day are the first dance and then the bride and especially the groom's expression when the ceremony is about to start in the church. I find that when you see a mixture of emotion on the groom's face (nervousness, excitement, and pure love), you know that he feels like he's the luckiest man alive and that he cares that everything is perfect in that moment. I catch myself sighing yet again.

The whole day was perfect! Even the speeches were well executed! None were long and all were filled with a sort of connection with the bride and groom. I'm truly blessed to have participated in this unique Ukrainian wedding and I wish my friend and her new husband all the love and happiness that lasts a lifetime!

Mnohaya Lita! Congratulations!

 My favorite song right now.

Shaniah Twain- Today is Your Day