HARSANIKS, or WEDDINGS, traditionally take place on Saturdays and Sundays Here we’ll try to tell you about Wedding Traditions in Armenia

The day starts at the groom's parents' house, where everyone is well fed with sweets. Next the groom, his friend and relatives with the baskets of the gifts and the bride's dress visit bride’s house…

The party then sets off for the bride's parents' house. Both bride’s and groom’s relatives change presents with each other, mainly Armenian cake, which gives bride’s mother… There were lots of sweets and fruit and drink while the women help the bride to get dressed. That time Godmother gives candies to the teenagers… During the bride’s dressing somebody of the bride’s relatives takes the bride’s shoes and hides it and doesn’t give it back until the Godmother pays her…

Then open the champagne and lead to the church. When the bride and groom are going to get out of bride’s house her brother should not let them pass unless Godfather pays him…

At Armenian weddings the bride and groom are crowned by king and queen of their household. Then the couple's hands are tied together with a gold cord to signify unity. The rings are exchanged. After the church ceremony the groom and bride lit candles and come out of the church…

WHILE GIONG OUT OF THE CHURCH THE RELATIVES THRROW RISE AND ROSE PETALS WHICH IS NOT ONLY VERY BEAUTIFUL BUT ALSO SYMBOLIZES WEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR THE YOUNG MARRIED IN THE YARD OF THE CHURCH THE YOUNG COUPLE SETS PIGEONS FREE INTO THE SKY WHICH WILL BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD AND THEIR FAMILY

Then back into the groom’s house, where the groom’s mother greets them at the door cheerfully and offers each of them a spoon of honey to taste. The meaning consists in the following: honey has been symbols of love, sweetness and welfare for the married couple. Except of this Groom’s mother put Armenian LAVASH on the groom’s and bride’s shoulders which means fullness

BEFORE ENTERING THE GROOM’S HOUSE THE YOUNG COUPLE BREAKS TWO PLATYES AT THE ENTRANCE One of the groom’s brothers brings with him a sword which is decorated with an apple on which young people put coins in return for this the brother of the groom whit must be single

Then back into the party. Armenians throw a good party. The music was nearly continuous (and very loud), lots of dancing, free flowing drinks, and a never ending supply of food. There was a good deal of dancing, toasting, and talking as plates were cleared and replaced.

We have very nice traditions… DURING THE CEREMONY EVERYBODY IS DELIVERED CHOCOLATES WITH TAROSIKS BEATIFULLY MADE SYMBOLS OF WEDDING AND WISH THE SAME LUCK TO EVERYBODY ELSE AND LEAVING THEM SOME SMALL MEMORY ON THE DAY

At the end of the party the bride throws wedding brunch of flowers to the single, non-married ladies… … and the groom throws the bride’s socks to the single, non-married boys… … the unmarried girl or boys who catches the brunch or the socks she or he is likely to get married the same year.

Around midnight they brought out the cake and served that. After the cake they dance and during the dancing it’s being firework and lots of fun…

HAPPY END