Russian Civil Ceremony
Russian
church weddings
are not
considered
official,
and so couples
wanting
to get married
must exchange
their wedding
vows at
a Russian
marriage
civil ceremony.
Here, the
bride and
groom receive
bread and
salt, symbolizing
health,
prosperity
and long
life.
The
Russian
civil ceremony
is often
considered
unimportant
to friends
and relatives
of the bride
and groom.
The main
affair is
the wedding
reception,
a great
two day
celebration
with music,
dancing,
feasting
and drinking.
Traditions at a Russian Wedding Reception
Once
the reception
celebration
has begun,
a relative
or close
friend will
make a wedding
toast to
the bride
and groom.
In keeping
with Russian
custom,
everyone
throws their
champagne
glasses
on the floor.
It is considered
good luck
if the glasses
break when
they hit
the ground.
Russian Orthodox Marriage Ceremony
When
a traditional
Orthodox
couple get
married
in Russia,
they are
crowned
as royalty
for the
day. The
bride and
groom must
stand on
a special
carpet as
they recite
their marriage
vows, but
first they
race each
other to
it. Whoever
reaches
the carpet
first will,
presumably,
be the head
of the household.
