The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-10
Russian Wedding Customs.


When couples are engaged a bet
trothal feast il held and the bride cleo
has n lock of her hair cut of in the
presence Of witnesses and given 10 the
bridegroom, who IN return presents a
silver ring set with n turquoise, an al
mond cake aud gift ~ bread and salt
From this moment the two are plighted; F;
nor can the relatives break the match
except with the consent Of the parties
themselves. which is signified by a re-
turn 81 the ring and lock Of hair. SO
much Importance Is attached 10 The
riug. az least in the north Of Rnssia,
that among poor people who cannot af-
ford silver and a turquoise, tan and blt
Of blue stone are substituted. The be-
trothal rings are kept as heirlooms, but
mus; not be made 10 serve twice-a son
cannot give has bride the ring which his
mother received, for instance though
whv this should be so is a mystery
which the clergy, who sell the rings,
could best explain. On the wedding day
the bride comes 30 church dressed in
white but it is only among the highest
classes, who copy western fashions,
that the bridal costume is entirely white,
and that wreath OF orange blossoms is
used Among Russians pure light blue
is the nuptial color, and coronet of
silver ribbon stands in place Of the
wreath. The wedding ring for the
bride is of gold or some yellow metal,
but not plain hoop IT is generally
double ring with enchased stars. The
bridegroom has ring, too, which the
bride puts on bis finger at the altar after
she has received his, and this is mostly
plain one The clergy make much ado
about the rings being of pure metal, and
thereby keep the sale of them in their
hands, though il would not always be
safe TO test the purity Of the ecclesiastical
gold with a touch-stone. After the
wedding service, which comprises in
some Of the less civilized districts the
breaking OF an earthernware vessel IN
token that the bride renounces her own
possession Tor is ready TO smash all her
fathers crockery for her husbands sake
explanations differ after this there is
an adjournment 20 a banquet, in which
mulled kuass (small beer and almond
cakes play q great part. Weddings need
not be celebrated before midday, nor
must they take place in n church. In
fashionable circles il is the custom to
solemnize them in drawing room and
by candle light. There is no departure
ON honeymoon tour. The banquet is
followed by ball, then by supper,
and at this last reI asst, when held In
houses where old customs are Observed,
n new satin slipper, supposed 10 be the
brides is produced, and used "a drink
ing vessel by the hridegroom's friends,
who pass il round and drink the brides
health in il till il is soaked through and
will hold liquor no longer. In houses
where speeches are made ii is not the
bridegroom, but the brides father, who
returns thanks when her health is drunk
this usage being owing TO the fact
that a father still retains authority over
his child after she is married. He may
summon her from her home to tend him
when he is sick. III he loses his wife be
may claim his married daughters ser
vices as housekeeper during the first
three months Of his widovhood; and he
very often does So II the daughters
husband die her father may order her to
return 10 his roof, and he becomes
dc jure the guardian of her children.
None of these privileges is retained by
married woman's mother.-PdU Mall
Gazette