In Vlkolínec, girls usually married between the ages of 16 and 18. Boys married a little later, typically after returning from their compulsory military service, around the age of 21.
The first step before the wedding was the courtship ritual known as pytačky. Usually on a Sunday, the suitor and his godfather would visit the home of the girl whose hand he wished to ask for. They would formally request her father’s permission to marry her. If he agreed, he would then ask his daughter whether she consented as well. If she agreed, the match was made; they would toast the occasion, and the hosts would offer hospitality to their visitors.
Before the wedding, the groom chose his best man (predný družba), and the bride chose her maid of honour (predná družica). These two served as witnesses. The groom’s godfather and his wife became the wedding elders, while the bride’s godmother took on the role of ruchovná, responsible for delivering the ruch (the bedding and other household items) to the newlyweds’ home. The groomsmen and bridesmaids were typically unmarried siblings and cousins of the bride and groom. The wedding was always attended by musicians, godparents, grandparents, brothers- and sisters-in-law, other family members, and, naturally, friends of the bride and groom.
On the wedding day, a large Vlkolínec wedding cake called the radostník was baked. A room was prepared for the wedding feast. At the head of the room sat the bride and groom, their parents and godparents, the best man, the maid of honour, and the elders. The groomsmen, bridesmaids, and other guests were seated along the sides. In the centre was a space for dancing, with musicians gathered in a corner.
In the afternoon, first of all, the best man met the maid of honour, who wore a traditional folk costume.
Meanwhile, at her home, the young bride was dressed in a white dress, with a white ribbon tied in her hair.
At an elder’s house, the groomsmen, bridesmaids, and musicians gathered. After fortifying themselves with a glass of hriatô, they set off singing towards the groom. The best man and maid of honour joined the procession on the way. When they reached the groom’s house, he knelt before his parents, thanked them for all they had done, asked forgiveness if he had ever upset them, and requested their parental blessing. His mother and father made the sign of the cross on his forehead and blessed him.
The entire party, now with the groom, then proceeded to the home of the bride – the mladucha, led by the maid of honour. Upon their arrival, the bride – just as the groom had done – knelt before her parents, thanked them, and asked for their blessing. Her parents made the sign of the cross on her forehead and blessed her. An elder then asked for permission for the group to take the bride to the altar, which was granted by the ceremonial usher – the husband of the bride’s godmother.
The procession then made its way to the church for the wedding ceremony. The priest and altar servers were dressed in their finest robes. After the ceremony, the priest led the newlyweds outside the church and handed them over to their relatives.
The party returned home for the wedding feast. Along the way, a customary obstacle awaited, set by the young men. An elder had to pay a “ransom” in the form of a bottle of spirits and some cakes before the procession could continue.
The feast began with a toast and sweets, followed by the wedding supper. First came meat soup with noodles, then roast meat, sometimes accompanied by opekance (baked dumplings) with poppy seeds.
After dinner, everyone danced – young and old, even the children. Throughout the celebration, villagers would come to watch and were offered a glass of spirits and a sweet treat.
At the stroke of midnight, the music stopped. The bride was made to sit on a chair in the middle of the room. The best man asked her, “Do you want to give up your wreath, or lose your head?” She replied, “Take my head.” Only on the third asking did she answer, “Remove the wreath.” The best man then loosened it and took it from her head. This was followed by an auction for the wreath, which the groom was required to win. The bride’s braid was then undone, ribbons removed, and replaced by a simple cord, before a traditional cap was placed on her head.
This was followed by the wreath dance. First, the newlyweds danced with each other, then with their parents, and afterwards all the guests joined in. Anyone who danced with the newlyweds placed money on the plate that held the wreath.
A second supper followed, consisting of either kapustnica (thick cabbage soup) or lamb goulash.
The dancing continued after supper. Men sometimes lifted the women into the air to their joyful shrieks. All the while, food and drink were enjoyed. The celebration lasted nearly until dawn. At the end, every guest received a take-home parcel of cakes and other treats.
