In Ukraine, a traditional wedding was held for several days and consisted of a series of strict ceremonies. If we divide it into several parts, then conditionally they can be called matchmaking, engagement, bachelorette party and wedding celebration. The lives of our ancestors and clothes were influenced by the peoples, next to which they lived for a long time.
Traditional Ukrainian wedding dress
The bride's dress is one of the strictest elements of a Ukrainian wedding. Even the influence of urban culture did not distort its essence. Often in wedding photographs from the beginning of the last century, you can see the groom in a city dress, and the bride in a traditional dress.
The bride's attire included a colored skirt (plakhta), decorations on the chest (gaitan), a wreath with ribbons, and a linen veil. The bride embroidered a white shirt with embroidery on the chest long before the wedding, even before the time when she did not know the groom.
The groom's outfit was traditionally sewn by his mother or godmother, and his bride could also help with this. The groom gave her a linen cloth, which after the wedding his wife had already covered her head.
Matchmaking, bachelorette party, engagement and wedding celebration
The groom came to the bride's date with his father, godfathers and friends. At the same time, the girl could deny the young man a wedding. The engagement took place at the bride's house with a feast. The hosts greeted the guests with ceremonial towels, in smart clothes and laid the table with a specially embroidered festive tablecloth, which was also embroidered by the bride.
Before the wedding, the bridesmaids gathered at the bride's house and had a bachelorette party. While singing sad songs, they let her hair down, put on a wreath and a linen shirt.
The wedding celebration lasted several days, and each region had its own differences, as well as borrowings from other cultures. Usually the wedding began with the ransom and blessing of the parents.
Today, urban culture has become dominant, having leveled many elements of ritual and uniform clothing. But the traditions of the Ukrainian wedding have been preserved in the memory of the people.