Polish Wedding Engagements and Invitations:
In Poland, the zareczny or engagement was as binding as the marriage itself. Before family and friends, the custom was to tie together the hands of the couple with a white scarf over a loaf of bread. This signified the joint efforts of the man and woman in preparing the bread together, and the hopes that they should never want for food.
Wedding traditions demanded that guests be invited in a certain manner. Invitations were first issued to groomsmen and bridesmaids followed by a personal invitation to the couple's godparents.
Wedding traditions demanded that guests be invited in a certain manner. Invitations were first issued to groomsmen and bridesmaids followed by a personal invitation to the couple's godparents.
Polish Weddings:
Weddings often were celebrated for three days or more. On the wedding day, musicians played at the bride's home where everyone gathered to accompany the couple to chuch. The blessing by the parents as they departed was as important as the church ceremony. If a mother or father had died, the wedding party would stop at the cemetery to ask a blessing of the deceased parent. The wedding party rode to church in highly decorated wagons accompanied by a fiddler and bass player. During the ceremony, if the bride didn't cry, it was believed she would cry throughout her married life.
Polish Tradition of Bread, Salt and Wine:
The couple returned to their new home and were greeted by their parents with bread, salt and wine. The bread represented the parents' hope that their children would never experience hunger, the salt reminded the couple that their life might be difficult at times and they must learn to cope with life's struggles. The wine symbolized the parents' hope that the couple would never know thirst and enjoy a life of good health and cheer in the company of many good friends.
Polish Wedding Receptions:
The wedding banquet began with zapicie, literally "to wash down" or "to drink." This was done with one glass of beer or vodka which was passed from person to person.
If a father could afford it, the wedding sometimes lasted three days. On the last night, the most important custom of all took place -- the oczepiny or unveiling. It was the moment when the czepek -- a married woman's cap -- was placed on the bride's head. This custom continues today. The czepek was usually a gift to the bride from her godmother and was reserved for wear to church, for folk festivals and, upon her death, for burial.
If a father could afford it, the wedding sometimes lasted three days. On the last night, the most important custom of all took place -- the oczepiny or unveiling. It was the moment when the czepek -- a married woman's cap -- was placed on the bride's head. This custom continues today. The czepek was usually a gift to the bride from her godmother and was reserved for wear to church, for folk festivals and, upon her death, for burial.
