At Weddings
by Peter Lang
Translation by Brad Schwebler
The weddings were the greatest family
parties. According to their wealth, more or less guests were invited. The
weddings as a rule were held in the village of the bride. Food, drinks, and cakes
were donated by the invited, so that even the poorer could organize a large
party. The bride was picked up by the groom, the wedding party, and all the
guests and led to the church.
After the wedding
vows everyone went either to the wedding house or the guesthouse (inn). The
brides dance presented the bride to the groom and after some turns the bride was
offered to dance by the best man and the groom danced with the maid of honor.
Each change lasted about a half minute, until all of the guests had a turn with
the bride and groom.
With mixed
religion couples the vows were done in the church of the bride, and the children were
raised in the religion of the man (boys and girls alike). In this way the
religion remained connected to the name bearer, that is, all the same name
bearers had the same religion, whether they lived in Beschka or elsewhere.
[Published at
DVHH.org by Jody McKim Pharr, 2005]