The ceremony of removing the veil from the bride

At traditional weddings at the end of the celebration a ritual is held, which has a deep sacred meaning - the ceremony of removing the veil from the bride. At this touching moment, under the views of the guests, a transformation occurs - the girl receives a new status, becomes a woman ready for family obligations and the birth of offspring.

How does the ceremony of removing the veil from the bride?

At modern weddings, the ceremony of removing the veil is held in the evening, during a feast. There are several variations on how it will take place, and who will be engaged in the removal of this accessory.

1. 1. In the first version, the decoration removes the mother-in-law. This ceremony means not only the loss of innocence and farewell to girlhood, but also the beginning of a married life, the transition from one family to another. Therefore, the mother-in-law, taking off her veil, thus takes the girl into her home, where she will become the hostess and helper.
2. 2. The game version of the removal of the veil passes when the mother removes her from the bride. Then they play a small show together - the girl should refuse her entreaties to remove the decoration three times. The fourth bride agrees, then the rite takes place. This option is partly due to the fact that the veil symbolizes the purity of the girl, and her removal becomes a metaphor for the act of defloration. Also, a joking refusal may have a different meaning: removing the veil and covering the head with a handkerchief signifies the transfer of a daughter to the groom, symbolizing not only their future joyful moments, but also their life.
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4. 3. The third variation of the ceremony of removing the veil suggests that the accessory removes the groom and covers her head with a handkerchief, thereby taking her into his family. This version of the ceremony is rarely held.
To make the ceremony more solemn, you can distribute candles to the audience, put a chair in the center of the hall, sit the groom on it, and put the bride on top. After that, guests must surround the young people, light the wicks and silently watch the mother-in-law or mother take off the veil. When removing each stud with which to fasten the veil, the groom kisses the constricted. In case the bridegroom takes off the veil, the bride is seated on a chair alone. When they put on her headscarf, the bride takes turns dancing with all the guests who are not yet married. During the dance she fastens her veil on her head, as a wish to rather become a wife and mother. After all the unmarried girls have danced, the bridegroom’s turn comes - the hero of the occasion covers his veil so that he will never look at other women again.


Symbolism of tradition

The tradition came to us from antiquity, but earlier they did not remove the veil, but wreaths, unwound the girls a long braid - this was a symbol of the end of their girlhood and the beginning of adulthood. Later, a classic white veil appeared, and now there are many options for headgear - the main thing is that it fits the dress. Ritual, first of all, means that the girl becomes a woman, says goodbye to her carefree childhood. This is the moment of her transfer to another family, the acquisition of a new status — a wife, the mistress of her home, and a keeper of the hearth.

Words accompanying rite

The ceremony of removing the white veil from the bride is a beautiful and partly sad act, because the girl says goodbye to girlhood forever. It should be accompanied by wishes of happiness, love, joy. Since the ritual is part of a traditional wedding, folk music is suitable. If the guests, relatives know the folk songs, they themselves can perform them - then the ceremony will become even more solemn.

What to do after?

After the ceremony of removing the veils from the bride, dances are held in which this part of the dress is used. The veil should bring unmarried girls at the wedding a speedy family happiness, and protect the husband from the wishes of other women. This ritual is the last part of the ceremony. When it is finished, the couple, as a rule, are removed on their wedding night, and guests can stay to celebrate. Dance ritual with her husband, look at the photo below.