2. Let us overview traditional meeting places of young people. Because due
to the different roles in the society of boys and girls, young people do not
have too many opportunities to get to know each other. The meetings were
held during the cold months, as there was a lot to do during the summer.
These meetings were held in the largest house in the village. Girls brought
handicrafts, spun wool. During these meetings people sang songs and
danced. Some people still remember these meetings, especially our
grandparents.
Other opportunity to meet other young people were fairs, festivals,
organizing sleigh parties in the villages. The fact that the boy or a girl was
ready to get married was shown by:
- painted window shutters, fence and walls of the house were decorated
in blue,
- hanging a wreath - a symbol of virginity.
3. Many people took care of the issue of having a
nice garden. Flowers from such garden a few
times helped to match pairs.
Also the matchmakers were very important.
They first looked for a girl who will match the
certain boy, then they went with a got-to-be
bachelor and his father to the house of the
miss. Final decision was made by the father of
the girl. If he thought that the young man was
a proper one, only then he gave the
permission to marriage.
4. Engagement, initially held among the immediate family, became
more important and rich ceremony over the time. The
procession of the gathered people marched to the house of the
bride. At the front of the procession marched want-to- be
groom, then parents, musicians, neighbours, and matchmakers.
The soon-to-be young couple were treated with vodka and
bread. Before the main meal that was waiting in the house of
the bride, the couple dipped the piece of bread in salt and ate it.
Then, the hands of couple were tied together with a scarf.
5. Tradition says that the stag and hen parties should be held, and the tradition
of ogranizing these is long. These parties are held the night before the
wedding. The leader of the procession, best woman and matchmakers arrive
at the bride’s house. Bridesmaids adorn flowers into the bride's plait.
The groom says goodbye at the same time to his friends bachelors. In this
farewell, women do not participate. In the morning groom appears before the
house of the bride. Then the bride says goodbye to his family and jumps into
decorated car.
6. Polish Wedding is prepared and conducted according to an old
tradition. Each father wants to give his daughter a worthy and
decent husband. Wedding is being prepared for months.
Groom's family collect money for beverages and the music band.
Bride’s family is responsible for the wedding reception. Fun at
the wedding reception and the day after could take up to a week
time.
When the couple gets into to the car and they are on their way
to the church neighbours, their friends, and other people
prepare so called „gateways”. In order to be able to pass such
gateway the best man, who is driving with the young couple
must negotiate with the gateway’s guards how much he must
pay to be able to pass it.
After the wedding ceremony the young couple goes to the
ballroom. Their parents greet them with bread and salt. The
reception begins with a dinner.
At midnight, the „oczepiny” rite takes place. The bride takes off
her veil and throws it into the crowd of gathered unmarried
women. The maid who will catch it will marry soon.
