Russian Wedding Jewelry & Attire

  A Russian wedding is a simple, joyful affair. Here I share the few tidbits of information about what a Russian bride and groom wear for their wedding day. Since the information was scant, I've included one important ritual which I would normally write about in my post about Russian wedding ceremonies.  

Russian Wedding Attire

According to some experts, all Russian girls learn to sew during school. Therefore, it is customary for some brides to sew their own wedding dresses. Others buy theirs. As is true in America, Russian brides typically choose a white wedding gown. In Russia, the color white represents joy, purity, and chastity. Perfect essences for a blushing bride! The majority of Russian brides opt for a simple, yet formal dress. In addition to the dress, a Russian bride must wear a veil. The veil, typically taffeta or lace, symbolizes the early tradition of fully concealing the bride. Long ago, a Russian bride wore a thick shawl which completely obscured her face. Covering the bride in this fashion protected her from mischievous spirits and misfortune. Russian grooms typically wear dark suits with white shirts and long ties. Most photographs of Russian weddings demonstrate an absence of the cummerbunds and bow ties prolific in American weddings. Some Russian grooms wear tuxedos, but still prefer the long ties over a bow tie.  

The Crowning

Arguably the most important piece of jewelry a Russian bride and groom wear are the crowns. Both the bride and the groom are crowned during the wedding ceremony. Since the time when the Cossacks populated Eastern Russia, the groom's best man and another attendant referred to as the chief groomsman performed the crowning. During the ceremony, these men hold heavy gold crowns of ornate design over the bride's and groom's heads for several long minutes. Most of the crowns used resemble imperial crowns worn by tsars and tsarinas of old. Eventually, the men set the gold crowns upon the couples' heads. This ritual symbolizes the sovereignty the couple holds over their new home. As king and queen of their household, from this point on their community expects them to govern their lives with wisdom and integrity. The crowning ritual serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifice required to live as husband and wife. This emotional moment often strikes at the heart of every guest.  

Russian Wedding Jewelry

Like in the U.S., Russian brides typically wear special jewelry for their wedding day. Diamond or pearl necklaces remain popular, as well as matching earrings. Typically, Russian bridal jewelry remains understated, so as not to detract from the main attraction - the bride herself. During the ceremony, the bride and groom also exchange wedding rings. Typically, Russians prefer wedding rings made from solid gold. Platinum is also popular. Sometimes, Russian wedding rings feature precious gemstones. They may also feature two-toned metal with a combination of gold and platinum or gold and silver. Many couples engrave the inside of their wedding rings with important dates or sayings. In Russia, the bride and groom wear their wedding rings on the fourth finger of their right hands. Traditionally, the bride and groom choose these rings together. The groom pays for them. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews