In a country where so many people have at least to the Catholic Church, this remains an important part of many couples’ wedding plans.
Many Polish wedding receptions still open with the traditional presentation of bread and salt. Upon the newlyweds’ arrival at the reception, their parents present them with these essentials. The bread is specially prepared and often decorated with the names of the couple. This gift of bread and salt is symbolic – bread is offered so that the couple may never know hunger, while salt reminds them of life’s difficulties and the importance of learning to cope.
Then the father of the bride or groom presents the couple with two glasses – one of vodka, one of water. Tradition says that whoever ends up with the glass of vodka will be the dominant partner in the relationship. then the couple throws their glasses; if they break, it is a sign of good luck.
For a standard wedding lasting about 12 hours, there are typically served between four and five hot entrees, along with appetizers, pastries, cake, and fruit.”
Where many weddings would be winding down as midnight approaches, a Polish wedding is just approaching one of its most traditional moments – the removal of the bridal veil. This ceremony, called “oczepiny”, the oczepiny ceremony began with the unbraiding and cutting of the young bride’s hair. Long braids were symbolic of girlhood freedom; and as a newly married woman, the bride’s hair was unbraided to reflect her new marital status.
After the oczepiny, wedding receptions continue late into the night. Eating, dancing, drinking and toasting often last into the morning.