I have successfully managed to buy a dress for my cousin’s wedding and had the pleasure to attend the wedding on 27th June 2009. Thanks to everyone that took part in my mini survey – it was the very summery dress that won most votes. I did not have to be a bridesmaid after all, however, I did have to do a little task at the wedding (details later).
I have decided to publish the pictures I taken during this wonderful event – as i had a lot of fun and I don’t think that many people know what a wedding in Slovakia is like. I have added comments to each picture to give some more details about each tradition and some insight into what’s going on.
That’s me in my beautiful dress and killer heels at the door of my cousin’s home. We are awaiting the groom and his party.
My cousin Danka, and her father, little niece Simonka and nephew Samko.
The groom (in black with a bouquet) and his family has just arrived. However, the man in white is not a family member. In Slovakia they call him ‘Starejsi’ which I would translate to ‘Best Man’, however, he is a hired person and has a special role throughout the day. He is the main entertainer, a person who knows all the traditions associated with weddings and his job is to share them with wedding guests in an entertaining way. They are about to enter the house, whilst traditional folk music is being played, and ask for the hand of young bride in white. Certainly, to make it entertaining, there were some difficulties finding the right bride. The groom was offered a yellow flower in a pot, then a man wearing some white sheets and just when they were to go off to see if there is a girl available in the neighbourhood the right bride appeared and we all went inside. (It was raining a little – but we say that the young couple will be rich if it rains on their wedding day)
Inside a little sincerity is needed as both children thank to their parents for bringing them up and being there for them. This doesn’t go without tears.
After thanking to their parents, the bride and groom swap places and make promises to their future parents in law that they will be good and respectful wife/husband.
Of course, this needs to be sealed by a shot of home made plumb whiskey. (Helps the nerves as well, look at the groom!)
And little ones cannot be left out either. (soft drink for them!)
We now moved from the bride’s home to the church where they will marry. Little bit of waiting outside enabled us to take some photos…
…some tried to steel the bride. (the groom doesn’t look too bothered)
Traditionally, the bride is led by her father to the altar. Neither of them changed their mind at lthe ast minute…on the way out we all congratulate to the young couple and are offered a shot of, well, vodka, this time and a piece of cake.
We’ve just arrived at the hotel where the wedding night is held. The Best Man had changed from his white suit into traditional folk clothes. He is now offering the young couple some ‘sugar’ to let them taste how sweet their life will be.
Well, the impressions on their faces aren’t full of sweet pleasure…it was salt they got to taste.
To help them wash it down, little bit of champagne is offered.
And then to test how good of a housewife the bride is, and if the groom is a helpful husband, some plates are broken and they need to sweep it up. The wedding guests are encouraged to join in and ‘help’ by kicking into the just swept up pile so the young couple can start all over again. This also tests their endurance and team work. The couple then get to keep a piece of plate for good luck.
After we all got seated, and had an aperitif, the young couple is up for an other test. They were told to show off their wedding rings, then cross their hands, when the quick Best Man tied their hands together…as if the ring and marriage wasn’t enough commitment.
With their hands tied together they now need to consume their fist bowl of soup. It’s not exactly easy, they must use a wooden spoon and it can get pretty messy, hence, the bib. After they successfully complete this task, dinner is being served. The young couple are not left to be alone for long…
…the next test is a competition really. They received a locomotive driver’s cap and needed to create they own ‘train’ by getting guests to join them. The longer the ‘train’ the better. I didn’t get the chance to take a picture of this, as I joined in, of course. At the end, the two trains joined so there wasn’t a winner. There is live music being played, folk and modern as well.
After 2nd dinner (there is a lot of food being served at a Slovakian wedding) a new game. The groom gets tested of how well he knows his wife – is he able to recognise her by the shape of her leg? Would his wife be this young man?
Oh, yes, he found her!
And the bride must recognise her man by the shape of his bum!
Test of man’s concentration and woman’s handiness. Ladies are leading through gentlemen’s trousers an egg, whilst they must to blow a balloon. First one to get the egg through and blow the balloon until it pops is winning.
Well well well, everyone’s finished but the groom …there seem to be no energy left in him. (the balloon was one those difficult to blow, to make it specially hard for him)
The young couple traditionally cuts their wedding cake together and each guest gets a slice. There is a lot of dancing then and around midnight the bride becomes wife and groom a husband.
This happens by taking the bride's veil and groom's flower away. Us – the four girls at the back were in charge of this.
Then one of the four girls receives the veil…and will marry in a year and a day time! The bride and groom is just being asked who to give it to…
It wasn’t me! :-)
The night doesn’t end here, but my story might. The young couple got changed into their ‘just married’ outfit. Guests were meanwhile offered some more food – a traditional stew made from cabbage, pork, chorizo and dried mushrooms. Yummy, but maybe on a different occasion for me! After this meal there is more dancing, and also a special dance that is called ‘ bride’s dance’. It’s special because everyone who decides to dance with the bride has to pay for the dance. Nice way to get some change in, eh?
There are a lot more traditions existing but my cousin decided not to have them at her wedding. For example, sometimes, the bride gets ‘kidnapped’ by male guests and groom has to find her or/and pay for her release. Other times only her shoe gets stolen, when the happy couple’s parents (or groom) must either do something or pay for it. One is certain, every wedding is full of fun, happiness and laughter. A lot of course depends on the wedding guests willingness to take the piss out of themselves and the ability of the Best Man to get them to do it anyway!
I had enjoyed myself all the time and danced my feet off.