Czech wedding traditions
The Czech Republic has many wedding traditions dating back to the early times of Christianity. Some of them, however, are long forgotten; some of them are quite recent. Here you can read about the traditions that have prevailed, and are being celebrated in current times. Without them, a Czech wedding would be incomplete.
Bride
On her wedding day a Czech bride has to wear, apart from the wedding dress, something new, something old, something borrowed, and something blue. Blue is usually the garter, which will come in handy later on in the wedding day. Something borrowed is usually from a happily married girlfriend, so that the newly married couple will be also happy. Something old comes from the bride’s family, usually an antique piece of jewellery. Something new represents the new period of life that the bride is going to start.
Most traditions occur after the ceremony. When the newlyweds step out of the ceremonial place, their friends and family shower them with rice or rose petals to ensure fertility. At this moment, the groom may receive a horse-collar meaning that he might become henpecked.
Flower Bouquet Toss
The bride throws her bouquet into the crowd consisting of unmarried girls only. According to the custom the girl who catches the flowers will get married within a year.
Carrying the bride over the threshold
The customs come to an end when the married couple arrives at the place where they live. The “fresh” husband should carry his wife in his arms over the threshold. This tradition should ensure that the demons do not to wake up.
Breaking the Plate
Before the young married couple enters the restaurant for the wedding reception, the owner of the restaurant breaks a plate since shards brings happiness. The bride and groom then have to clear the broken pieces and by doing so show everyone how synchronized they are. This tradition symbolises the fact that bride and groom will work together from now on.
Eating the soup together
The bride and groom eat a typical Czech soup together. They only have one spoon and are bound together. This tradition shows how husband and wife can cooperate and will be able to overcome all difficulties together. Moreover, it represents the need to be equal in a marriage.
Garter belt
The garter belt can play two roles. It can either be thrown by the groom into a group of unmarried men (results are the same as with the bouquet), or it can be auctioned off. The money will help to start their new life.