The tradition of attending the Bride's house - In the older days, the Groom's family would enter the Bride's house for permission of her hand in marriage. This has remained as part of the Armenian wedding ceremony but has modernized itself to a more elaborate celebration. Many Armenians have kept this tradition as a symbol of respect and honor for the Bride's parents.
A Bride may prefer to be greeted at her house in the presence of her parents and family or meet the Groom and his family at the
church (preference mainly has to do with your family background). The following are some of the optional steps that the Bride may choose to follow.
The Bride may wear a different dress while waiting for the Groom to 'bring her gown to wear'. Since wedding gowns have become very heavy and delicate, the Groom brings a basket, or more commonly, a transparent box of some sort stuffed with tulle to represent the gown. Many times the Bride's shoes, gloves, garter and other related
accessories are placed in the box as well. The Groom's mother will usually bring another basket which will contain some additional items such as a perfume, pair of slippers, 'Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue', undergarments, etc. (See
'Traditions' for 'Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue')
When entering the house, the Best-Man and Maid-of-Honor follow the Groom and his parents. Along with their family members, the Groom's family takes along a small music band called
Saz-o-Doll. The band will help to guide the Groom and his family into the Bride's home with loud, enjoyable, and traditional music. Inside the house the Bride's family, including the Bride, Bridesmaids, and other guests who have been waiting to welcome the Groom, arise on their feet and cheer the Groom and his family as they enter. After the introductory dance, the Groom's parents kindly ask permission from the Bride's parents in order to dress the Bride and get her prepared for the ceremony. As the Bride's parents permit, the Bridesmaids carry the decorated boxes with all the items necessary for changing in to the room for the Bride to dress. There are several 'Shoe Traditions' which will most likely take place at the Bride's house after she places the gown on. (See
'Traditions').
Before the veil is worn, the Maid-of-Honor passes it over the Bride's head three times wishing her health, happiness and prosperity. Followed by passing over all bridesmaid heads once to extend the best wishes.
The veil is then handed over to the Mother of the Bride to place the veil in place. The Mother of the Bride places the veil which symbolizes the extension of her family.
Most of the time, the photographer prefers to take some photos of the Bride and her Bridesmaids as they take decorated items out of the box and show them off.
In other Armenian traditions, the Bride is dressed in her gown ready for the Groom and his family to arrive. The Bride will stay in her room and wait for the Maid-of-Honor (who arrives with the Groom's family) to come and take her out to the Groom and the guests.
Green & Red Ribbon Ceremony
A tradition from 'Esfahan', it is said that it is every mother's wish to see her son on his wedding day. One individual from the Brides' family and one from the Grooms' family assist the Groom's mother with the Green and Red Ribbon Ceremony. While the bridesmaids hold the Groom's and Best-Man's jackets, the Groom's mother puts the ribbons over the Groom's vest. The red ribbon symbolizes health, and Green ribbon symbolizes happiness. Sometimes, the Groom's mother asks the Bride's mother to assist her with the ribbons to add more motherly love. Before the jackets are worn again, they get danced around and are passed through the hands of all the Bride's relatives. The father of the Bride then escorts the Bride out of her dressing room. The Bride joins the Groom who is impatiently waiting. The next couple of hours are spent dancing and concluding the Bride's house by drinking the Cognac and enjoying the chocolate the Best-Man and Maid-of-Honor have provided.
(Available now in our
shop).
Door Ceremony
On the way out from the Bride's home the Bride's brother (or any other male relative) stands by the door. The brother gives the Groom hard time for taking the girl of the family away. This is usually a more entertaining and a funny tradition, especially when the brother asks the Groom to give him the impossible in exchange for his sister. Some Grooms give a gift instead of money. The fun is to see how the denominations increase and how far the brother will go.
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