Weddings
Traditionally, a Polish Bridegroom (in the center holding a glass) was met by two men bearing symbolic offerings. The head of the village carried a banner and wreath, the other man acted as a fool and carried an evergreen branch gaily decorated with bells and ribbons.
The mother of the bride would place the veil on the bride just before the marriage ceremony. This touching act symbolized the last thing that a mother could do for her daughter before she became a married woman.
At the wedding reception, the parents of the bride and groom, greet
the newly married couple with bread, salt, a glass of wine
and a silver coin. The bride and groom take a bite of bread
which signifies "May You Never Go Hungry." They drink a bit
of wine to signify "Enjoy Life's Sweetness," and they place a bit
of salt on their tongues with the hope that they "May overcome the bitterness
in life." The silver coin is held in their right hand
which signifies parents' hopes that the couple may be blessed with
"Wealth and Good Health." (Extracted from Sharing
the Bread, Salt and Wine - Polish American Congress)
At the reception , some brides simply transfer their veils (which symbolize good luck) to the Maid of Honor, and then to the other bridesmaids; however, another Polish bridal tradition is the "Unveiling." The guests form a circle around the bride and her mother removes the veil. This is to signify that the bride has become a woman. The veil is then placed on the maid of honor who then passes it to the next bridesmaid, etc.
One of the best known Polish wedding traditions is the Bridal Dance. There are several variations, but the basic idea is that the wedding guests "buy" a dance with the bride. Sometimes the money is pinned to her veil, placed in a purse, or in an apron worn by the maid of honor. Prior to the Bridal Dance, the bride may have shed her wedding veil for a traditional Polish bubushka (kerchief) which she wears throughout the dance.
Sharing the
Bread, Salt and Wine -
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