The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH WEDDING CUSTOM

WHEN THE TIME APPROACHES FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO
LEAVE THE HALL, A SERIES OF EVENTS TAKE PLACE.
TRADITIONALLY, THE COUPLE LEAVE AT MIDNIGHT BUT THE
TIME VARIES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. THE GUESTS
FORM A LARGE CIRCLE ON THE DANCE FLOOR AND THE MEN TAKE
TURNS DANCING WITH THE BRIDE. THEY ALL ATTACH A BILL
OF SOME DENOMINATION, USUALLY A FIVE OR TEN, TO THE
BRIDE'S DRESS. AFTER ALL THE MEN HAVE HAD THEIR TURN,
A BRIDESMAID REMOVES ALL THE BILLS. A CHAIR IS THEN
PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLE AND THE BRIDE SITS
DOWN WHILE ALL THE PEOPLE SING A TRADITIONAL POLISH
BALLAD, WHICH, IF THE BRIDE CAN UNDERSTAND POLISH,
USUALLY RESULTS IN THE BRIDE GUSHING FOR TEARS.
A BUCKET IS THEN PLACED UNDER HER CHAIR AND SOME LIQUID
IS SPILLED ON THE FLOOR. THE WEDDING ATTENDANTS THEN
WALTZ AROUND THE CHAIR. THE BRIDES VEIL IS REMOVED
AND SHE IS LED TO THE STAGE WHERE SHE TURNS HER BACK TO
THE GUESTS AND THROWS HER BOUQUET TOWARD A GROUP OF
SINGLE GIRLS. THE GROOM THEN (THROWS) A GARTER TOWARD
A GROUP OF YOUNG SINGLE MEN. THE CAKE IS THEN CUT AND
SHORTLY AFTER, THE BRIDE AND GROOM DISAPPEAR. THE
NEXT DAY A PARTY IS HELD AT THE HOME OF THE BRIDE'S
PARENTS. MOST OF THE PRINCIPAL GUESTS ARRIVE AND
HOLD ANOTHER CELEBRATION WITH USUALLY MORE DRINKING
AND EATING THAN ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. THIS POST
WEDDING ACTIVITY IS CALLED, PHONETICALLY, POPALAVEENI.
ORIGINALLY, I.E., IN POLAND, IT WAS A THREE DAY
CELEBRATION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Date learned: NOT GIVEN