Cyprus Tradional Wedding

Matchmaking took place through a matchmaker or a ember of the family, who talked to the parents of the bride and tried to convince them. They always considered whether the young man came from a good family, if he had some money and if he was hard working. When he came from another village, then it was the parents’ duty to visit that village and ask people there if he was good or not. Most of the times, the bride’s to be opinion was not considered.

 

At logiasma, only close relatives were invited, such as godparents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings and the priest, who would conduct a prenuptial agreement. This agreement was regarded legal and this is where the dowry was agreed. After this procedure, followed a feast.

 

Not everyone was invited to the engagement party. The couple exchanged rings and handkerchiefs. The father of the bride was responsible to provide the house, in which the couple was supposed to live. This was quite hard, because they needed to collect the stones for the construction themselves. All friends and family helped to built the house for the newlyweds.

 

The invitation for the wedding took place a month before the wedding day. The maid of honour took on the invitation.

On Saturday the sawing of the couple’s mattress took place. This festive custom included music played by a violin and a lute. People would eat, sing and dance. The mattress was filled with pure wool and young women would sew it together, while all friends and family would sing appropriate songs accompanied by music. All family they placed money on the bed, a custom known as “ploumisma”. They also placed babies on the mattress; in fact, they rolled baby boys if the couple wanted to have a boy first or a girl if the couple wanted to have a girl. After that, the best men and the maids of honour would lift the mattress and dance while holding it in their hands. 

On Saturday, the wheat was washed at the local faucets, as it is the main ingredient of “resi”, the traditional food offered at weddings. The women washing the wheat were singing accompanied by music. After that, they prepared the wheat and on Sunday, they “resi” was cooked.

 

 

On Sunday afternoon, just before the couple went to church, the bride got ready for the wedding with the help of her family and friends, her maids of honour (“koumeres”) at her place and accompanied by music (violin and lute). Her parents would give their blessing by crossing a red cloth around her waist.

 

The groom prepared for the wedding at his house, just like the bride. The barber gave him a shave whilst music was playing and his best man helped him get dressed, namely put his short and jacket on. The best man always sang along with relatives and friends. 

After the wedding ceremony, all neighbours were on the streets so as to welcome the newlyweds in their new home, by throwing flowers and offering them rosewater. The reception took place at the couple’s new home, with all their family and friends dancing. After the reception, the couple would dance and everyone would give them their present, namely offer them money by pinching money on their clothes while they were dancing. 

 

On Tuesday after the wedding, namely two days after the wedding, all relatives would go around the village and collect chickens from everyone, so as to cook them and eat them.