The Civil Ceremony

The civil ceremony between Ruslan and Tanya was held on Sunday June 23, 2008 just couple of hours before the church ceremony.  (Pidhaitsi village, 2008)
During the Soviet era, the civil ceremony was the only possible wedding ritual.  While not legally banned, church weddings were rare because most churches were destroyed and having a church wedding was likely to ruin job prospects.  Because the civil wedding was the central event, it acquired many ritual trappings, including a speech read by the klub head or other civil servant, songs, and the breaking of bread, usually a korovai, over the heads of the couple.  The couple stood on a ritual towel and the person conducting the ritual would tie their hands together with another ritual towel or rushnyk. While most weddings now have a church service as well as a civil one, the civil service has retained its importance.

The best man enters the klub carrying a korovai in his hands. After him the bride and groom with their parents and guests.

The woman in the beige costume is the official who will conduct the ceremony.

The couple stand on a ritual towel and official ties their hands together with another ritual towel (rushnyk).

On stage with the bride and groom are al the parents and godparents, as well as a folk singing collective.