Polish Marriage - Polish Wedding Tradition

Traditional Polish Wedding - How the Poles celebrate this happy event?

You are in the search of a woman from the Eastern European countries, in particular from Poland, and you will probably have regular contacts with these countries and you will perhaps have someday the occasion to take part to a Polish marriage, as a guest or even as . fiancé or groom.

In spite of that for a Polish woman it is not necessary to marry for coming to live in France or in another European country - because Poland is a country of the EU and its citizens are able to circulate freely in any Europe, this formality is not necessary any more. Thus a Polish woman or of another country of the European Community can live in another European country just as you can go to live in other country of Europe. Thus, in case of the creation of a family with a woman of the EU, you can also choose a free union.

But it is not excluded, that you (and your future partner) prefer the tradition and the marriage remains for you very important like the crowning of a life together for always.

Thus if you meet a woman from Poland with whom you will wish to make your life, you will perhaps decide together to marry and that the marriage is in Poland, the country of your wife?

It would be then interesting to know how in general a marriage occurs according to the Polish traditions. On this page, I will present in short, the programme of a marriage "A Polish Marriage". You certainly will notice that it is a little like French marriage, however I think that some traditions are unknown (or little known and not practised) in France. Obviously, the Polish traditions are also a little different and specific, according to the place, such as for example in the mountains, in the south, it is not always similar as in the north of Poland. I will give an example of marriage generally practised in my area. They are all my personal experiences, gathered all along the years, thanks to the participation in several weddings.

The marriage in the life of a man and a woman wishing to share their life together, is a very important moment, because it is at the same time the top of a great love story and the starting point for a new life - this one being two. It is a proof of love and the desire to spend the life hand in hand, united, in love, but it is an important engagement, because a responsibility begins for the future family, and for the lifetime. Generally, everybody wishes their marriage to be a great during which they can share their joy with their relatives and friends. Each couple wishes that their marriage is the most beautiful day in their life. And it is. Thanks to a lot of preparations, with the active participation of the two families and of friends, it becomes unforgettable. It remain to wish that every following day of the happy couple be also beautiful.

But let us start: first of all preparations - in particular administrative and for the party. The future grooms choose where it will take place their marriage and the ceremony: civil or/and religious. Because for a few years the grooms of the catholic religion wishing a church wedding have the possibility to choose to marry only at the church, most couples choose this possibility.

Generally a marriage has to be prepared much in advance, at least 3 months before the desired date (it is the required time to carry out in particular the obligatory meetings of preparations to the church wedding) sometimes, and if the marriage is during the summer, it is necessary to think about it till 1 year in advance, because in this "traditional" period of marriage, the dates are booked as soon as possible.

Here the dates are chosen, all the administrative recordings carried out, a reception room reserved, clothes ready, the menu chosen, the orchestra, the photographer reserved, and the guests are invited obviously! The day of the marriage is closer. Generally, a day before the marriage the friends and the family help to decorate and to prepare the room where the party will take place. If it is a restaurant, generally there is a complete service, but one can decide which decoration to choose, how the tables will be distributed, etc. It is possible to take part in the preparations and to take care that all is as wished. Then, they decorate the car of the grooms. (in some cases the grooms prefer to rent a horse carrier like in old times, it is possible in particular in the largest cities), and their cars too.

And the great day finally arrives. Often the marriage is celebrated on Saturday afternoon. The groom comes to take the bride in her residence. He is accompanied by his parents, his witness (who becomes during this day his "personal assistant" and who is charged not to forget about anything), often a photographer is charged to film and photograph all the ceremony, and by an orchestra, with the obligatory accordion, which guides it with the Polish traditional music to the door of residence of the bride. There, the bride accompanied by her witness (who becomes "her personal assistant" for this day - and who helps her to prepare), the parents and the guests await them. The grooms "are then blessed" by their parents - in other words they receive the authorization from the parents and they tell them about the responsibilities of the marriage, etc It is beautiful, it is moving, but it should be seen because as it is difficult to explain.

And now it is time to leave for the church or the town hall. Because generally young Polish marry at the church, I will speak only about this possibility. Always accompanied by the orchestra, the grooms take the road in their car, but not so quickly, because it is probable that the road will be barred. By neighbours who ask "to pay" to let leave the grooms! "The price thus should be negotiated" - One or two bottles vodka for the adults, a candy sachet or chocolates for the children, and the barrier opens. But attention, it is possible that other barriers can installed - thus it is necessary "to pay" again, or to seek another road (if it exists and if it is not barred). Once these difficulties are overcome, the group can finally take the road for the church.

There, the bride is often accompanied by her father (or the grooms enter together). The ceremony of marriage starts. It is almost the same as in all the other countries: the grooms say themselves "yes" and exchange alliances, the marriage is concluded. After the exit of the church, the young grooms accept want them and the flowers (and gifts), the priest, the parents and the witnesses first of all, then the nearest family, and the friends. The guests throw them rice (or sometimes coins which must be gathered by the grooms) on the grooms - it is an old, that must bring them chance in their new life and richness. It is also current to make fly away the pigeons by the grooms.

Then all the guests go to party room which will become for this evening 'the house of the marriage". The young grooms often go at the photographer to take some photographs in studio. During this time, the guests arrive first at "the house of the marriage" and await the arrival of the grooms. They are then welcomed at the door by their parents with bread (which should be embraced), salt, a glass of vodka that they have to drink a drop and brake the grass symbolically - all that must bring happiness to them. The ceremony of reception is very important, because it symbolizes the reception with the door of a new life, a new family, which must be rich and happy, and it also means that the parents accept from this moment the wife and husband of their child, who becomes now also their child.

The groom takes his wife in his arms and brings her inside. It is also an old tradition, formerly having for objective to protect the bride from the demons being able to await it the door, today symbolizing the attention paid to the young woman by her young husband. Without forgetting the orchestra, all the time there, all this occurs with music.

Once everyone is inside the room, the guests take their place and after words of the parents who give their advices to the young people, the party starts. It is generally leaded by a professional organizer and the music live - is ensured by the orchestra. First of all, the tradition. Thus the tables are already filled with varied and delicious) dishes, (which will remain during all the party on the tables and which will be eaten by guests constantly, between the dances and the games. Often, at the beginning some hot dishes are served, and some of other cooked dishes a little later. Meanwhile, the guests delight themselves with the cold dishes (salads, meats, fish), with the fruits, cakes, and among them - the "cake of marriage" - known as "Polish sekacz" (a large cake made with many eggs). Thus all the night is devoted to fun: music, dances, plays and toasts - to the health of the young grooms, their witnesses, their parents, etc, etc (of which several requests from the guests that vodka "is sweetened" by the young grooms - thus with each request a strong kiss is necessary!).

At midnight, it is time to take off the veil of the bride who is then launched by the young woman - moment awaited by the unmarried invited young women! The young groom launches his tie - this time the unmarried young men have their chance.

Here is the main cake of the party that arrives! The couple of young grooms cut together the first part of the cake, which will be then distributed among the guests.

And, the party continues, continues, continues. To often finish in the morning. But attention, that is not all. It remains often much not consumed food, one should not let it lost:)). The guests then make an appointment for the next day and the party continues still a little.

There remains only a voyage for two. I mean the honeymoon ! And of course, and a long life full of love!!!!

Happy party to all future new wedded people!

©www.mcm-amb.com (Agnieszka Martineau-Kosobucka)

If you are interested particularly in the Polish traditions, you may want to read also the following articles:

A flower for Eva - The International Women's Day

Christmas in Poland - the Polish tradition of Christmas Eve and Holiday