The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TRADITIONAL CZECHOSLOVAKIAN WEDDING

ON THE MORNING BEFORE THE DAY OF THE WEDDING, THE WEDDING
ATTENDANTS WALK TO ALL THE VILLAGE HOUSES INVITING THE
PEOPLE TO THE GROOM'S HOUSE. MUSIC IS PLAYED THERE ALL
DAY AND IN THE EVENING, AROUND 6:00 P.M. EVERYONE EATS.
THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES THROUGH THE NIGHT. THE NEXT
MORNING THE GROOM AND THE PEOPLE LEAVE AT 5:00 A.M. FOR
THE BRIDE'S HOUSE. THE GROOM DRIVES HIS OWN WAGON
THERE. MUSIC IS PLAYED AT THE BRIDE'S HOUSE AND THE GUESTS
DANCE TILL 7:00 A.M. THE BRIDE'S PARENTS ARE SEATED ON A
BENCH. THE BRIDE GETS DOWN ON HER KNEES AND KISSES THEM,
ASKING THEIR FORGIVENESS FOR ANY TROUBLE SHE HAS EVER
CAUSED. AT THE CHURCH, THEY ARE MARRIED AND THEY WEAR
SPECIAL HAND-MADE WREATHS FOR THE CEREMONY. THEY COME
BACK TO THE BRIDE'S HOUSE FOR BREAKFAST AND ARE GREETED
AT THE DOOR WITH SALT AND BREAD, WHICH THEY EAT FOR
GOOD LUCK. AT THE EVENING RECEPTION, THE PEOPLE GET
IN A LINE TO DANCE WITH THE BRIDE BEFORE SHE LEAVES TO
START HER MARRIED LIFE. BEFORE THEY CAN DANCE WITH HER,
THEY MUST GIVE SOME MONEY. THE MAID-OF-HONOR SITS
ASIDE THE DANCE FLOOR WITH THE BRIDE'S VEIL TURNED OVER
IN HER LAP. THERE THE PEOPLE DROP THEIR MONEY AND TAKE
TURNS DANCING WITH THE BRIDE. THE GROOM IS AT THE END
OF THE LINE. THE MOOD IS AS IF THE PEOPLE ARE TRYING
TO STEAL THE BRIDE'S ATTENTION AWAY FROM HER HUSBAND.
WHEN HIS TURN COMES, HE THROWS HIS WALLET INTO THE VEIL
AND SCOOPS UP HIS BRIDE AND LEAVES THE RECEPTION
CARRYING HER. AFTER THE BRIDE HAS CHANGED HER CLOTHES,
SHE BOARDS HER HUSBAND'S WAGON, TAKING HER DRESSER
(PIECE OF FURNITURE) AND THE MAID-OF-HONOR AND BEST
MAN. THEY GO BACK TO THE GROOM'S HOUSE AND THE
WEDDING GUESTS FOLLOW IN SEVERAL WAGONS. THE PEOPLE
SING ON THE WAY THERE. THE GROOM'S HORSES LEAD ALL
AND THEY ARE DECORATED WITH RIBBONS AND BELLS.
EVERYONE HAS SUPPER AND THERE IS MORE DANCING. THE
NEXT DAY IS "POPRAWINI" OR "LEFTOVER DAY." THE
CLOSE FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS OF THE COUPLE GET
TOGETHER TO EAT THE LEFTOVER FOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-25-1970