by
Mara Kamen
The rituals surrounding a Georgian wedding are
borrowed from neighboring regions and a variety of religions.
Once a couple has decided to marry, the young man takes an engagement ring and other
jewelry to the young woman’s family to ask for her hand. The parents of the
bride-to-be then host a tea for the groom-to-be and his parents. The meeting signifies
that the engagement is official and plans for the wedding begin.
If the wedding is to be a religious ceremony (usually Georgian orthodox, but Jews and
Muslims have also thrived in Georgia), the couple wear jeweled crowns, exchange rings (to
be worn on the right hand) and share wine from a silver cup (piala). Vows are
spoken and the couple circles the sanctuary three times.
Traditionally, the parents do not attend the ceremony, to avoid the appearance of
greed. This stems back to the days of dowries and arranged marrages. The couple does not
return to the bride’s home. Superstition says it will cause the couple to divorce.
Instead, the mother of the groom hosts the feast.
Upon crossing the threshold, the couple stomp on an
inverted ceramic plate. Whoever breaks the plate first will have the ruling hand in the
marriage. The number of broken pieces signifies the number of troubles the couple will
face. Instead of catching the bouquet or the garter, anyone wishing to marry next should
place a piece of the plate under their pillow. After the plate ritual, the couple is
served a sweet treat, symbolizing the sweetness of married life.
Another tradition is to leave one family member uninvited. The uninvited guest arrives
late and brings two doves to set free, for good luck. The designated toastmaster (tamada)
recites poems including an ode to the Georgian mother. All guest share in the wedding
feast.
© Copyright 1997 Mara Kamen for Families for Russian &
Ukrainian Adoption, PO Box 2944, Merrifield, VA 22116, 703-560-6184
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