The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

UKRAINIAN WEDDING RECEPTION EVENT

FOLLOWING THE MEAL AT THE RECEPTION, A RELATIVE OF THE
BRIDE, USUALLY AN AUNT OR HER GODMOTHER, SITS WITH A PLATE
ON HER LAP. THE GUESTS WISHING TO DANCE WITH THE BRIDE, TRY
TO BREAK THE PLATE BY THROWING A COIN AT IT. IF THEY BREAK
THE PLATE THEY CAN DANCE WITH THE BRIDE. IF THE PLATE DOES
NOT BREAK, THEY CAN TRY AGAIN. EACH BROKEN PLATE MEANS
GOOD LUCK FOR THE BRIDE.

Submitter comment: THIS CEREMONY TOOK PLACE WHEN MY MOTHER WAS MARRIED IN
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK IN 1939.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER

Date learned: 00001950S