Ukrainian Wedding Participants

Ukrainian weddings (Vesillya/Весілля) are like a play; there are lots of scenes and they have many actors involved. Each member has certain traditions associated with their role. Some terms overlap people and some people have numerous titles. Of course, the final count of who you want to include in your wedding is up to you!

Bride (Moloda/Mолода); Fiancée (Narechena/Наречена); Wife (Dryzhyna/Дружина or Zhinka/Жінка); Daughter-in-law (Nevistka/Невістка or Synova/Синова); Sister-In-Law (Bratova/Братова); Princess (Kniahenia/Kнягиня); Queen (Koroleva/Kоролева).

One of the two main participants

Groom (Molodey/Mолодий); Fiancée (Narecheney/Наречений); Husband (Muzh/Mуж or Cholovik/Чоловік); Son-In-Law (Zyatʹ/ Зять); Brother-in-Law (Shvaher/ Швагер); Prince (Knyazh/ Княж); King (Korol’/Княж).

One of the two main participants

Parents of both – Father (Bat’ko/Батько); Mother (Maty/Мати); In-laws (Svaty /Cвати́)

Bride calls her Mother-In-Law – Svekruha/Свекруха
Bride calls her Father-In-Law – Svekor/Свекор
Groom calls his Mother-In-Law – Teshcha/Теща
Groom calls his Father-in-Law – Test’/Тесть
Parents call the Bride/Groom’s parents their Svakhy/Свахи; Сват/Svat/male; Cва́ха/Svakha/female
May pay for the entire wedding or part of it
Traditionally the Starosty did what most parents do today
The Bride’s parents host at their home the Svatannia (Matchmaking), Proposal, Betrothal, Ransom, Divych Vechir; Blessing (Blahoslovlennia); Povernennia; Reception
The Grooms parent’s host at their home blessing (Blahoslovlennia); Reception; Popravyny (After Party)
In olden days, the parents did not accompany the bridal couple to church, it was believed to be bad luck, the starosty went in their place.

Matchmaker – can be an individual or a group of matchmakers, sometimes called Svaty (Свати or Starosty).

Svat (Сват/male matchmaker); Svakha (Cва́ха/female matchmaker).
The Matchmaker(s) role occurs at the beginning of the festivities Act 1: Scene 2 – The Svatannia/Matchmaking

Starosty (Старости) – run the show like the director or wedding planner.

The Starosty are members of the bridal party (the elders), most often the Godparents but can also be 2 friends or family members. The male Starosta (Староста) and female Starostynia (Старостиня) have a special role in the celebration.
They conduct most of the wedding rituals, making sure everything runs on time and all bases are covered.
Today, the Starosty’s responsibilities include leading the wedding processional; carrying the icons of Jesus and the Virgin Mary into the church; witnessing the union; and often are the Masters of Ceremony.

Godparents (Kumy/Куми) – often act as the Starosty;

Bridesmaids (Dryzhky/Дружки)

Usually female unmarried friends or family members of the bride and groom
Make the Wedding Wreaths for church
Sing songs with the Svashky (Women Choir)
Organize the Bridal Shower (Дівич вечір/Дівич вечір) for the bride and her girlfriends

Groomsmen (Druzhby/Дружби) or in Olden times (Boyary/Бояри)

Family (Rodyna/ Родина or Sim’ya/ Сім'я); sometimes grouped in with Svaty.

Guests (Hosti’/ Гості) – sometimes grouped in with Boyary

Svashky (Свашки) — a woman's choir that sings during the wedding traditions and ceremonies

Korovainytsi (Коровайниці) – the groom’s family and the bride’s family all have their wedding bread bakers. Usually an odd number of happily married women. Nowadays, the Korovai can be made by a family member, a bakery or hopefully, a specialized baker like me!

Priest (Svyashchenyk/Священик)

Presides over the Marriage Ceremony (Шлюб) in church
Has a seat of honor at the reception, often at the head table
Gives the blessing over the meal at the reception
May give a speech at the wedding reception

Musicians (Muzykanty/Музиканти)

The musicians are an essential part of a Ukrainian wedding. They are generally a violinist, an accordionist, a drummer, and a cymbaly (an instrument of the hammered dulcimer) player.
Traditionally, they play at the entrance to the hall. Often, while they are playing, the guests usually give them money.
When the couple enters the hall, the musicians usually stop whatever music they are playing and begin a traditional Ukrainian wedding march. Following a signal from the musicians, the bridal couple and their attendants enter the hall and are greeted by the guests, who clap their hands.
Throughout the evening, the musicians play various kinds of music: waltzes, polkas, and rock-and-roll.
In olden times, the bottom crust of the korovai, called the pidoshva, was given to the band.

Go to the next Traditions section: Wedding Schedule