Adventure Tours Macedonia

Galicnik Wedding

Programme 11th of July.

08:00 a.m. Inviting the dead relatives
A group of the closest relatives and the bridegroom visit the graves of dead family members. The bridegroom invites them to his wedding.

09:15 a.m. Inviting the 'kum' (literally: "godfather", though the closest equivalent in English is "best man")
After returning from the cemetery, the bridegroom, his friends and his closest relatives invite the best man to the wedding.

09:30 a.m. Shaving the bridegroom
In front of the "Upija" fountain, one of the friends shaves the bridegroom, during which the closest relatives are rueful because the shaving is a symbol of the separation of the boy from his mother and father.

10:00 a.m. Going for the bride
From the bridegroom's house an entourage of over 50 in-laws goes for the bride. The entourage is led by the bajraktar (flag bearer) and his friends on horses. The horses walk slowly in front of the entourage. Before that, one of the friends goes to the bride's house to ask for permission for the arrival of the in-laws. On the way back he joins the procession.

10:30h Arrival of the marriage brokers
After the arrival of the in-laws, the flag bearer hands over the flag which is hung by the window. Then one of the bridegroom's friends leads his horse in front of the bride's house where the bride looks at the bridegroom through her ring. The bridegroom kisses the hands of the bride's parents and then they put a towel over his shoulder.

10:45h The bride welcoming the marriage brokers
In front of the house the bridegroom's closest relatives sit at a table. The bridegroom's mother gives presents to the bride and then the bride kisses her hand. After that she is dressed up and ready to go.

11:00 a.m. Sending the bride with the in-laws
The bridegroom's friend informs the in-laws that the bride is ready and they all prepare to go. The bride mounts a horse. The procession is led by the flag bearer.

11:20 a.m. Welcoming the bride
The bridegroom's mother welcomes the bride with a sieve, a cake and a goblet with wine. She turns around the bride three times tapping her on the head with the cake. Then they put a bridle on her and the bridegroom's cap. The bridegroom helps the bride to dismount the horse. Then she walks into the house.

11:30 a.m. Marriage ceremony
The bride, the bridegroom's mother and father, the flag-bearer and the other relatives walk to the church. The bridegroom's mother carries a kettle and a basil bouquet. She spatters the young couple and the other guests on the way from the house to the church. A carpet is laid in front of the church and a flag is hung to the right of the entrance.

12:00 p.m. Marriage banquet
After the wedding ceremony at the "Upija" there is a wedding banquet. The best man resides at the head of the table and the bridegroom calls for a toast.

12:30 p.m. Taking the bride to "Upija" and then she leads the brides dance
The bridegroom's father and the best man lead the entourage. The bride is taken to the fountain to fill the water jugs. After that the bride leads the bride's dance.

12:45p.m. Farewell to the musicians
After finishing the wedding customs, the closest relatives say goodbye to the musicians.

1:00 p.m. The end of ceremonies