Marriages mean good times for friends relatives and entire villages.
There is a superstitious belief in Ukraine that, if you stumble upon a wedding, you should make a wish.
Summer and autumn are the best time to stock up on dreams. Stroll by a popular landmark on a warm weekend, and the sight of brides in cloud-like white dresses will be hard to escape (6). Otherwise thrifty, Ukrainians like to splurge when it comes to tying the knot.
For big celebrations with 10-course meals, unrestrained partying for days and well-preserved traditions, head to a village. Before the ceremony, best men usually haggle for a bride, offering parents a ransom (3). Church weddings are more common in smaller towns than in the cities (1).
Couples take their vows on an embroidered cloth (8). Instead of a flower girl, there may be a girl with a loaf of bread symbolizing prosperity and a boy with a religious icon as protection (2).
To become the next bride or groom, you may need to catch the bouquet (7) and spend the rest of the night dancing (4, 5).
