Wedding in Maramureș: habits, traditions and tips for organizing

Traditionally, Romanian weddings are characterized by a series of rituals, which aim to make the transition from one phase to another. Currently, the wedding harmoniously combines old and new elements. Depending on the origins of the brides, the event can include different customs and traditions, which are completed with a party. For weddings in Romania the saying «how many borders, so many customs» applies, since traditions and customs differ from one region to another and, most of the time, even from family to family.

The wedding in Maramureș, for example, is a spectacular rite, full of habits intended to integrate the new family into the community and to transition the two young people to the status of mature people. Prepared to the smallest detail, the wedding in Maramureș is still organized according to unwritten rules, passed down from generation to generation. From the preparation of the dowry and costumes, to the choice of godparents or the call to the ceremony, the wedding in this area of ​​the country is full of captivating traditions and customs.

Although organizing a wedding is not an easy mission, young people from Maramureș have to make sure that such an event successfully combines specific traditions and customs with a modern wedding celebration. Here are the most well-known habits at a wedding in Maramures, but also advice for organizing such a sumptuous event!

Old wedding habits and traditions in Maramureș

In Maramureș the wedding, through the entire process of the traditional ceremony, is a stage full of meaning and a celebration that involves the whole community. Here are the customs and traditions of the Maramureş wedding used to respect each other in ancient times!

petition

In ancient times the supplication was made late at night by the Groom’s father. Unlike modern practices, when a young man asks his bride in marriage, previously the flames transmitted the request via spokesperson. The marriage request was repeated, until it was received on the third evening. Subsequently, there was discussion about the young woman’s dowry and the date of the engagement.

Engagement

In the past, marriage began with a wedding ceremony. According to tradition, the fiancée went to the parish priest’s house to obtain the blessing. The engagement then took place at the bride’s home, in the presence of the relatives of the future marriages. During the celebration, the wedding rings were hidden in a lid full of wheat, saying that the one who found the first wedding would be lucky and would put the house in order.

The wedding flag and the bride’s crown

In Maramureș, as in other regions of the country, it was customary to announce the wedding in the village and decorate the wedding flag, a symbol of male vitality. Furthermore, the Maramureşii also prepared the bride’s «wedding braid» during a gala party. The bride’s crown was adorned with tassels and mirrors, the mirrors symbolized the beautiful and bright life of the bride.

The night before the wedding, also called «Night of the flags», the canton, accompanied by a group of young people and musicians, went to the groom’s house with the flag, to dance the «game of flags».

Call to marriage

In the past, wedding invitations were certainly not made on the basis of wedding invitations. Before the wedding, the wedding call was made by a poorer man. The call had the task of going from gate to gate, to invite the villagers to the wedding.

The port of the newlyweds

In the old days, the bride’s port was specific. The bride wore a simple white dress, legs distorted and turned, with floral and silk elements. The wedding dress was usually made of canvas and featured colorful appliqués, to accentuate the beauty of the young woman. The groom also had a special Maramureșan port. While summer wore loose, lab blue sweaters with beaded appliqués, winter wore soles and dolomanas.

The preparations for the wedding ceremony reached their peak with the bride’s cooking, an event that took place at midday, on the Sunday of the wedding, in the presence of the bride’s relatives and friends. Dressed in the traditional port typical of Maramureș, the girl was adorned by her godfather, while her friends kept the mirror and comb.

Tradition required the bride to have her hair done by a girl whose parents were alive. Before the religious ceremony, the godfather placed the lemon flowers and the veil. The cooking was accompanied by tears and funeral songs, which marked the girl’s separation from the family. Today, wedding traditions in Maramureș are still preserved and brides still wear the popular port.

Religious ceremony and wedding

In the old days, the groom and bride came to church separately, accompanied by family and friends. After the religious function, each group went their separate ways, to the two houses, for the wedding lunch. Only the next day would the groom, together with the canton, friends and family, bring the bride. Then they all went to the groom’s house, where a new banquet awaited him.

Sursa photo: Shutterstock

Current customs and traditions of marriage in Maramureș

In general, the meaning and significance of ancient wedding customs have been lost. However, in Maramureș, wedding customs and traditions have managed to maintain themselves better than in other areas of the country. Although the sewing of the flag and the wedding of the bride are no longer carried out, there are some customs that are still preserved in some areas of Maramures. Of these phases of wedding organization in Maramureș we mention:

• The petition, which is presented today by the groom;
• The wedding call, made by the spouses or a family member;
• Forgiveness to parents, to receive blessing from parents;
• The ban on meetings between marriages before the religious wedding, the church being the place where the roads intersect;
• The bride’s dress, helped by the godfather, or other people, dresses for the event;
• Arrange the bride’s hair, comb it, braid it or collect flowers in her ears;
• Wear traditional wedding costumes, as a sign of respect for traditions and customs;
• Ringing the flag, which provides for a male hour, in the middle of which is the flag with the wedding flag. During this period, wedding cries, specific to Maramureș, may take place;
• The shouts to the bride;
• The shouts with the chicken to the godparents;
• Planting of wheat;
• The meeting of the bride, i.e. the replacement of the bride’s wedding with a wedding scarf, specifically for married women.

Sursa photo: Shutterstock

Tips for organizing a wedding in Maramureș

A wedding in Maramureș focuses on the symbolism of the archaic village, which captures all its ancient values ​​and customs. Unlike other regions, many of the ancient traditions are still preserved in this area of ​​the country. Therefore, the particularities of the territory contribute to the formation of an authentic identity, through its simplicity and its traditions. Here are some tips on how to organize a wedding in Maramureş:

• Keep in mind that the wedding ceremony in Maramureș is still made up of stages such as petition, engagement or engagement, wedding and the wedding itself.
• During a wedding in Maramureş, there are two large categories of participants: the main ones (the bride, the bride, the big and small in-laws, nănașul and Nănașa) and the secondary ones (the wedding call, the flag, the druterașii, the «shirt», the fog). Therefore, you need to make sure that each character has their own clearly defined role at the wedding.
• In the case of weddings in Maramureș, you don’t have to worry about when and how to send the wedding invitations, because there is the wedding call or the brides, who go from gate to gate to invite the villagers to the event. In Maramureș the wedding guest list is not taken into consideration, because all the villagers are invited to attend.
• Even the wedding theme will not represent an emergency, because the wedding decoration will have a rustic, traditional appearance, guided by habits transmitted from generation to generation.
• Choose the most beautiful wedding testimonials, whether we are talking about testimonials or testimonials, traditionally decorated.

Sursa photo: Shutterstock

In essence, a wedding in Maramureș becomes a real spectacle, which reflects the traditions and customs passed down for generations. Maramureş wedding customs are full of authenticity and will ensure that your wedding stands the test of time, recreating the most beautiful traditions. So would you like to get married Maramureșan style?