1. Copyright © 2007 Tommy's Window. All Rights Reserved ♫ Allumez vos haut-parleurs ! CLIQUEZ POUR PASSER LES DIAPOS WEDDING AND BAPTISM CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS IN OLTENIA

2. The wedding is an event full of special emotions when two hearts unite to form a family. In Oltenia, as in any other region of the country there are many wedding customs. It is said that, by following these customs, the couple will have a happy and successful life.

3. Friday before the wedding the young couple walks along the village with flasks of plum brandy to invite people to their wedding. In Oltenia region wedding godparents are the groom's godparents. Choosing the godparents has a great importance both to celebrate the wedding and for the future of the young couple, the godfathers are considered spiritual parents of the young couple.

4. Saturday before the wedding the youth organizes the “fedele”. This is a party for the bride and the groom where their closest friends attend. In the evening, at the groom's house the wedding fir tree is decorated where the fellow boys and girls he called are to attend.

5. The wedding fir tree symbolizes eternal youth. The decorations with apples and pastry coils represent riches. After decorating the fir tree, a “hora” is danced and then girls and boys walk with it along the village. At the end of the wedding the fir tree is placed in front of newlyweds' house to protect them from evil. It is left there until it gets wilted.

6. On the wedding day, the bride's head is wrapped with the veil and then the wedding participants go to celebrate the wedding party. In Oltenia there are held two wedding receptions. The first is held at the bride's house and during the evening the great celebration takes place at the groom's house. During the party the couple does not sit at the same table with the guests..

7. The day after the wedding, the newlyweds go to the bride's parents house. The custom is to go with a cake decorated beautifully.

8. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism at in Oltenia Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which a human acquires forgiveness of the original sin. It is very important that the new born shall be baptized according to the tradition and to respect the customs

9. Baptism is performed only by a priest or bishop, after at least 8 days after birth and no later than 40 days. To receive the sacrament of baptism the child must have godfathers chosen by his/her parents.

10. The Godparents are called "spiritual parents" of the child. Their job is to educate their godson in Christian spirit. The godparents are usually the godparents of the parents and they prepare the baptism candle. They bring the baptized child from the church and give the baby to the mother three times above the threshold saying "I took a pagan, I brought you a Christian."

11. The baptismal candle is decorated with flowers and pink or blue ribbon as appropriate. It is kept with care, because it has a protective role for the child. It can be lit whenever necessary, when the child is not feeling well, to banish the evil around him/her.

12. Every child has a midwife, and godmother and godfather. Midwife buy baby clothes and gives these to the baby to wear before baptism and take the child to church. Here, the midwife gives the baby to the godmother

13. Thank you for your attention! I hope to enjoy live wedding ceremony and PARTY!