Traditions and customs were main part of Bulgarian life in the past. In nowadays most of the customs are changed or lost.
The typical Bulgarian wedding was very interesting and with rich ritualism. Every single part of the organization, every element and action were personification of people believes.
Koprivshtitza was town with strong family strings and patriarchal traditions. They were part of all ceremonies and rituals. In the old Koprivshttiza family the mother was the one who chooses the bride for her son. The girl should be hardworking, good housewife, and wedded mother.
When the bride is selected groom’s parents and his friends go to the girl’s home. There they show her parents the reason for their visit using some specific rituals - poking the fire, bringing typical food or drinks, etc. When the two families agree on making the marriage the bride is asked if she accepts this decision. Usually because of the strong patriarchal traditions the girl accepts her parents will.
The old Bulgarian wedding lasts 3 - 4 days and every day has its own rituals. In one day the flour for the wedding bread is sift out, the bride girlfriends sing traditional wedding songs and preparing the meals, on the other day the wreaths for the bride are made, the girls hair is ritually combed and plaited by her non-married friends.
All traditions are closely connected to girl’s separation from the family and friends. After the marriage she goes to her new family, she’ll start naming her husband’s parents “mother” and “father”, she has to be prepared to take care of a new household.
The whole ceremony is reach of symbols – every bouquet and wreath should have red carnation - symbol of manliness and geranium – symbol of health ( the flower name in Bulgarian is “zdravetz” and word health is “zdrave”). The wheat seeds should be thrown over the young couple as a symbol of fecundity. When they go from one place to the other during the wedding days they should not go on the same street because it will cause repetition of the marriage.
Men in Koprivshtitza were mostly traders and were traveling abroad very often. They were out of the village for more than 4-5 months per year. That’s why if the boy’s mother finds a nice girl right for her son she might arrange a marriage without the groom. Usually he is represented by his shirt and trousers.
This is small part of all symbols, rituals and believes accompanying traditional Bulgarian wedding. A lot of them are forgotten, some of them are changed to match the modern live.
May be because of the interest in the traditions and in long forgotten rituals even more and more young people decide to make their weddings in the spirit of old times. Koprivshtitza keeps the spirit of the past in its architecture, in its rich and heroic history. This town is a perfect place for touching the traditions by organizing a wedding in a typical Bulgarian style.
On the other side this is a great opportunity to make one unique and unforgettable ceremony, different from the standards popular in nowadays.

If you like the idea or you love the traditions, if you are interested in Bulgarian history, customs and music we will be glad to guide you in realizing your dreamt wedding. With our experience and with our knowledge of Bulgarian folklore we will be happy to help you make your wedding day one of a kind.

Author: Nevena Nikolova- nevena@koprivshtitza.com
Pictures: Neli Nenkova, Vania Kovatcheva, Ivan Vasilev