Russian Marriage Traditions

Russian Marriage Traditions
In the past recent years Russian families have become much more liberal especially when it comes to having a family blessing on a wedding. While once it was obligatory for the young couple to ask the parents first it is no longer done in the same way it used to be. Even though that tradition isn’t the same there are many traditions that should be followed in Russian marriage.
A Russian marriage is a very unique experience. No matter how you meet your Russian bride whether it is on the street or through a marriage agency there are some basic things that you need to learn about Russian cultures.
In the olden days of Russia it was quite usual for the bride and groom to be “promised” to each other at a very early age. They would actually spend their wedding getting to know each other. It was the family and the parents who made the decision that they would get married not the young man or woman.
It wasn’t until the 1960’s when Americans became what is known as “hippies” that the Russian tradition of promised marriages started changing. Young people were then allowed to date but any sexual contact was forbidden before the marriage and they were punished severely if they were found to have had sex.
It was perfectly acceptable for the man to visit and get to know the bride’s family before asking permission to marry the woman. When he did the father either approved it or did not approve it and if he did the woman was then expected to knead bread and take it to her future in-laws. This showed her modesty and ability to be a good wife.
Buying a bride was not offensive though. Today this is still practiced but more like a tradition rather than something that was considered a trade act. The man is allowed to bid for the woman he wants to marry by offering money or presents to her family. This is a way to prove his wealth and was practiced mainly to prove that he is able to look after the woman he loves. He is assuring her a good life after marriage rather than greed.
If the bride’s family is against the marriage in any way it didn’t mean that it was impossible for her to get married but it was more of a challenge. There was a solution that is a tradition called “Stealing”. Today it might sound funny to some but as of a century ago stealing girls was considered a profession. Young men worked out all the plans to trick the family members who were refusing to allow the marriage. Men were paid by the groom his family and his friends. This would also never happen without the active support of the bride. Then in the middle of the night she would elope with the man whom she loved. This just proves that Russian women are rebels by nature and are ready to leave everything behind even their mothers and fathers when it comes to love and passion.
Traditional Russian marriages also include taking their vows in front of God and not just having formal papers signed. They want their religion to mean something as well as their marriage. They want to prove they aren’t just getting married for legal purposes.
Orthodox ceremonies usually take at least half an hour but can be as long as four hours or more if they include the traditional and sometimes obligatory chants and acts for God’s blessing. Modern couples do prefer the short adaptation of the marriage vows instead of the much longer ceremonies. After the ceremony the wedding party moves to a restaurant or family house where all the guests celebrate the event with a lot of drinking happiness and delicious Russian meals.

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