December 22, 2007
Last Sunday, I saw my first Armenian wedding. Emma's daughter's son. Once again Emma and Susanne and other women in the family have spent hours and hours baking to prepare for the feast following the wedding. I did not attend the big dinner at a local restaurant that followed the wedding. I understand over 200 people came and it was quite the event. Here's the part I saw.
After a pre-ceremony activity at the bride's house, the party arrived in numerous cars and the ubiquitous limo at the main square. The old church bustled with activity. While a few of us were waiting for the wedding party (they were over an hour late), two weddings happened and I'm sure there were earlier ones. Once the
cars arrived and family unfolded themselves, everyone trooped into the church. See pic. Little Armine had a special dress for the occasion. At least in this wedding, no bevy of bridesmaids accompanied the couple.
Little Albert and a little girl I didn't know preceded the bride and groom with candles.
The church is quite old and similar to European churches of a certain age had no seating.
You can see in the pics the sanctuary was smoky with incense, a big part Armenian Apostolic services.
Guests gathered on each side of a roped off aisle. The service was brief.
Towards the end, the bride and groom were given crowns
and as part of the ritual, bowed their heads toward each other til they touched. This symbolizes the couple of king and queen of the family and a new generation. The touching of the heads represents unity.
There is no kiss at the end of the ceremony. After, the guests go up to the nave and greet the bride and groom.
As they leave the church, they are each handed a dove. They have the two doves "kiss" and then release them.
After the church ceremony, everyone piles in the cars and drives around
the square 3 times, honking furiously. Then, on to the groom's house. Typically, newlyweds live with the husband's family, sometimes for years. Before they enter the house, lavash is put on their shoulders (staff of life) and the groom's mother gives them a taste of honey (sweetness in their life). As they cross the threshhold, they each step on a plate (chasing the devil away). After some toasting at the groom's house, people change clothes and go the the restaurant. I'm now sorry I missed this part of the celebration as I left right after the wedding ceremony. Lesson: never say no to an opportunity for a cultural experience.
Meanwhile, schnor havor surb tsnund (Merry Christmas, lit: congratulations on holy birth)
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