georgia
Weddings in Georgia are
truelly fascinating. Usually several hundred people attend
Georgian wedding. It's a must to accept the invitation to the
wedding. In case it is refused it would be a huge insult for
those who are inviting.
Georgian wedding has three main phases - “machankloba”
(marriage proposal), “nishnoba” (engagement) and “kortsili”
(wedding). Previously parents used to choose the bride or groom
for their children.Nowadays, it is not like that anymore, but
still parents play key role in weddings.
Approval of relatives is needed for the wedding. The
bride and groom’s families must know each other well enough
before making decision on arranging wedding. As soon as all
details went over by two families the engagement ceremony is
held.
Before the
bride enters her new home the groom climbs on the roof and
releases white birds which symbolize the happiness. After that
the bride and groom are given special wedding glasses of wine.
The groom drinks first and puts a wedding ring into glass after
that passes the glass to bride. She sips and gives the glass
back to groom who takes the ring out of the glass. After that
with words of admiration, love and praise the groom passes the
glass of wine to bride once again.
Traditionally before
entering the house the bride and groom break special plate for
luck. Then bride begins a kind of inspection of the new home.
Grains of cereals are
thrown around house wishing prosperity. Wooden ornaments called
“chiragdani” or “the life tree” are given to groom and bride.
It is important that
during the inspection of the house bride must touch the cauldron
and go round the cauldron with oil or wheat three times.
Georgian weddings are
joyous and noisy events as it is in any other country. “Tamada”
or the toastmaster encourages everybody at the wedding to make a
toast. The first toast is made for the joyous, peaceful and
prosperous future life of the newlyweds.
