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This article needs additional citations for verification. A traditional Russian wedding can last between two days and one week. The celebration involves dancing, singing, toasting, and banqueting. The best man and maid of honor are called Witnesses or “svideteli” in Russian. The ceremony and the ring exchange take place on the first day of the wedding.
A friend of the bride, who is already married, places the first earring on the bride-to-be. The two golden rings are a symbol of marriage. It is common to see this image on wedding invitations. Once the groom arrives at the bride’s home, he must pay a ransom for the bride, a term known in Russian as “vykup nevesty. This event is meant to be comical and entertaining. The bride and groom have the option to have a traditional ceremony in a church.
In Russian, it is called the venchanie. The wedding ceremony takes place in a church and is divided into two parts: the Betrothal and the Crowning. While the betrothal used to be blessed at the beginning of the engagement, it is now commonly done at the same ceremony as the wedding itself. The bride and groom stand inside the entrance of the church and the priest blesses them and gives them lighted candles which they will hold throughout the ceremony. The priest then says a prayer blessing the couple’s betrothal which mentions instances in the Bible where rings are used and relates those instances to the betrothal. For this reason, the ceremony of the wedding is referred to as the Crowning.
The priest leads the couple into the center of the church where they come to stand on a piece of new, rose-colored fabric, symbolizing their entry into a new life. The bride and groom each publicly professes that they are marrying of their own free will and that they have not promised themselves to another. After an ektenia and several longer prayers, the priest places crowns on the heads of the bride and the groom. These are usually held over their heads by members of the wedding party.
Following that are readings from the Epistle and Gospel, ektenias, brief prayers and the sharing of a “common cup” of wine by the bride and groom. It used to be the custom that the bride and groom would wear their wedding crowns for eight days, but now the removal of the crowns is customarily done at the end of the service. The priest says benedictions for the bride and groom and then the dismissal takes place. Following the traditional ceremony, the couple must have a civil ceremony called rospis v zagse. This ceremony takes place at the department of public services, formally known as ZAGS.
At ZAGS the couple is greeted by family members with bread and salt. The ceremony ranges from 15 to 30 minutes and during this time the rings are exchanged and the couple is pronounced husband and wife. During the civil ceremony, the parents offer the married couple two crystal glasses, which they are asked to break. The more pieces or shards of glass they create, the greater the number of years of happiness they will spend together. It is also customary for the married couple to release either balloons or, more preferred, two white doves to symbolize their love and partnership which is written in the sky for all to see. The bride also releases another balloon with her maiden name written on it. Following the civil ceremony, the newlyweds and their witnesses travel around the city in a limousine and tour many historical sites.
There are times when close friends join them as well. This presents the primary opportunity for the majority of the wedding photographs that are taken at varying historical places around the town or city. After touring the city for several hours, the couple meets the guests for the reception. At this point the couple must kiss for a long time to take out the bitter taste of the vodka. The second toast is made to the parents. The new couple dances the first dance of the night.
As the night continues the guests dance, sing, play games and make toasts. For the next several days the family continues to eat, drink, and celebrate. It is traditional to have an entertainer, in Russian Tamada, who organizes games, dancing, and ensures the guests get to know each other and are looked after. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wedding ceremonies in Russia. If you want to get married in Russia, contact the relevant local authorities to find out about local marriage laws, including what documents you’ll need.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. You might be asked to get certain documents from the UK government if you’re a British national. See details of the services we provide in Russia below. Please check what you need to bring with you and the additional information on getting married abroad, then make an appointment for the service you require. Certificate of No Impediment for Marriage For operational reasons appointment slots for notarial and documentary services are limited. If you need a CNI, you’ll have to give notice of your intended marriage. You need to have been living in Russia for 3 clear days after your last arrival.
You’ll also need to provide evidence of nationality or residence if the divorce or dissolution took place outside the UK. You’ll need to get it translated if it’s not in English. Is there anything wrong with this page? UK Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. UK To help us improve GOV. UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Send me the survey Don’t have an email address?
