Wedding traditions – funny truths and superstitions
A wedding is not just a beautiful day. It is full of so many funny and strange traditions that you will wonder whether you have actually ended up in a horror film… or a comedy! Let’s look at the funniest and most interesting Bulgarian wedding customs that every bride and groom will go through! Despite their seriousness, today we will present them in a funnier, unexpected and very possible scenario.
The groom must not see the bride before the wedding
Yes, that’s right! The groom must not see the bride because, by tradition, it is bad luck! In fact, this is a foreign tradition, or rather a superstition. Even though we all know the bride’s biggest temptation is to give a hint of her look. Everyone is waiting for the moment she walks into the hall in that incredible dress. Well, it seems she has to control herself. And if you want us to be honest, almost every bride secretly wonders whether the groom will really recognise her – and above all like her – in this veiled, dressed-up and unexpected image in front of him 🙂
Buying the bride
The tradition of “buying” the bride is like a scene from an old film, but with slightly more modern variations! The groom has to win his bride by buying her with… what? Wine, sweets, money? Or sometimes, if he really wants to joke, with promises of countless breakfasts, washing machines and years of tireless work. Don’t worry, it’s only a joke. In reality, it all ends with an ordinary wad of cash and, of course, promises of eternal love.
Feeding with ritual bread, honey and salt
Once the bride has been bought (and doesn’t even need to sneak away), it is time for a sweet, salty and slightly spicy tradition – feeding with ritual bread, honey and salt. It symbolises that the young family will be “sweet” together and will get through hardships (the salt) with smiles and good cheer. Sounds easy, right? But some brides can’t stop laughing when the mother-in-law tries to feed them honey… first with the salt she has already “stuffed” into her mouth, and second by drenching her in honey, unintentionally, of course. Great practice for the arms – and for family relationships!
Kicking the pot
One of the funniest moments! Kicking the pot, or as we call it, “the tradition for predicting the first child”. The pot holds a white and a red flower – white for a boy, red for a girl. The bride has to kick the pot, but if her aim turns out not to be quite accurate, she may be surprised by a flower that wasn’t in her plans at all. That’s how it is – when you’re about to become a mother, things sometimes get mixed up… literally. That’s how it goes with Bulgarian wedding traditions – funny truths and superstitions.
Breaking the ritual bread over the couple’s heads
“Who’s going to be the boss?” – that is what the question would sound like if the bread could talk. It is one of the funniest rituals, in which the bride and groom make an effort to break the ritual bread. The bigger the piece the bride gets, the stronger her “power” in the family will be. But don’t be surprised if the groom starts fighting for the bigger part of the ritual bread… in the name of family harmony, of course!
Throwing the bouquet
And here comes the moment every single lady waits for impatiently – throwing the bouquet! It is the chance for all future brides to “test” their fate. It is believed that the one who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. And rest assured – all the single girls will throw themselves at it as if it were a competition! You can’t even imagine what battles are fought… and what a dose of good humour fills the air!
Throwing the garter
After the bouquet, it is time for a slightly sexier tradition – throwing the garter! With a smile, the groom will remove the bride’s garter and throw it to the other men. Who will catch the garter? It is believed he will be the next to fall into “the hands of fate”. You will see neighbours, colleagues and everyone present join forces to catch it, and the result? Chaos and laughter.
Cutting the wedding cake
We finish with the sweetest part of the wedding – cutting the wedding cake! The sweet moment when the couple make the first cut together, symbolising the start of their new journey through life together. But there is a little fun tradition here too. The bride often has to be careful with the knife, because if she doesn’t make a perfect cut, a playful drama may start between the couple and the guests! And as we like to say: “The bigger the piece the groom feeds the bride, the longer she will stay quiet”!
These traditions make every wedding unique, fun and full of smiles. And don’t forget – it is not just about the traditions, but about how they make the day so special and unforgettable. So whether you laugh, wonder what exactly is going on or enjoy every minute, wedding traditions are here to make you feel alive and loved. And if you want to look like a princess, you can count on us – Alfa Brides!
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