Ukrainian wedding traditions

The traditional Ukrainian wedding featured a rich assortment of folk music and singing, dancing, and visual art, with rituals dating back to the pre-Christian era.

When the groom realizes that it is not his bride, he asks for his true love, and the family demands a bigger ransom because she is valuable.

Once seated, a long embroidered cloth, rushnyk is placed on their lap, and everyone is given a loaf of wedding bread.

The starosta recites a ceremonial text such as the following: "As these two children stand before their own mother, before their own father, before their uncles, before their godparents; maybe they did not listen to one of you, I ask you to forgive them and bless them."

Then the family members repeat "Bih sviatyi" (May Holy God forgive and bless you) three times.

During the crowning ceremony in a traditional wedding the bride's vinok is replaced by an ochipok and namitka that covers her hair and signifies that she is now married.

The wedding celebration can last days and sometimes weeks, with dancing, singing, long toasts, and a feast that includes the entire community.

The mourning period is very important and because it is believed that the soul of the person wanders the earth for 40 days, there are ceremonies that pay respect to the dead.