Way to Russia Talk Lounge

prestowk · Frequent Guest Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 26

Would it be customary to get both the woman (a contemporary Russian woman) and the man engagement rings – or any rings at all, for that matter – when getting engaged? Would it be appropriate to buy the rings ahead and present them at a surprise engagement proposal? This would be appropriate and quite common where I'm from.

I'm familiar with engagement customs in my own culture, but not so much in Russian. I want to strike a good balance between the two, honoring both as much as possible. Note that this is about engagement, not necessarily marriage (just yet).

Ender · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:51 am Post subject:

In Russia engagement rings don't mean anything. Relax about engagement. It simply doesn't exist in Russian culture as separate entity. De facto engagement made on words:
1. Man and woman decide to marry. De facto from this point of time they are bride and groom.
2. Parents are notified and give their blessing to their children.
3. Parents, bride and groom have a meeting and start planning wedding.

Good description about Russian wedding traditions is here:

http://www.womenrussia.com/wedding.htm

I've read it. Funny and true for few exceptions. Of course Russia is big and wedding traditions can differ in various corners of country. Some parts of wedding can be changed/omitted according to the wishes of groom/bride. For example my wife said that she hated idea of "bride theft" and thought it was stupid. Thus we omitted that part. The second day was replaced by picnic with friends on a shore of a lake.

The Russian wedding is a big stress before the event, but funny and enjoyable when it starts. Feel free to ask.

RuslanK · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Nov 2008 Posts: 15

There is only one rule !
'GET DRUNK LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW " !!!

Ender · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:14 pm Post subject:

RuslanK · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Nov 2008 Posts: 15

Ender · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject:

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011