Basia at the Polish Country Wedding

Wedding of my cousin Kamila on May 5th 2012
The Polish Weddings are very unique and rich in tradition. The ceremony lasts for days rather than hours. What usually begins very formally in the local church finishes very casually as the great ALL NIGHT! party. Lots of food, lots of vodka, lots of kissing, lots of dancing and fun!

Before the church ceremony, everyone gathers at the home of the bride and accompany her to the church, The parents bless the bride, usually the mother in a simple ceremony consisting of Bread, Salt and sometimes wine symbolizing prosperity and to to bid farewell to the bride.
Once the catholic marriage service is completed then family and guests congratulate the couple, queuing in a long line outside the church.

Polish traditions at the reception include the couple being greeted again with Salt, Bread and Wine, in some regions the wine glasses are thrown to the floor and broken. Then normally the bride and groom welcome all the family and guests through the door. In some areas the groom may carry the bride through the door, this is said to symbolize who will run the house (as if we didn't know already)
One of the nicest traditions in Poland is singing (by all guests) "Sto Lat" which translates as "we wish you to live 100 years in health and prosperity"..
The party then begins, tables will have all kinds of starters, then a meal will be served together with the first of many bottles of vodka. Dancing usually commences after this. From then on regular plates of food are delivered to the tables along with copious amounts of soft drinks and vodka.
Later at the reception a further ceremony, the capping, is completed. All single ladies surround the bride while the matron of honour removes the veil as music is played. The veil is tossed to the surrounding girls.
Some parties break around one or two in the morning and start again the next day, others do not stop. I have been at country weddings lasting three days.

Видео Basia at the Polish Country Wedding канала jurekphoto