12
i
:
: 7
:
:
i
:
:
:
:

September 16, 1987

Complete Line of Wedding aoa hong

Wedding Invitations
Car Decorations
Hall Decorations - in all colours
Bondonniere (Wedding favours)
Cak, Rentals
Flower Rentals for Church
Bridal Flowers and Head Pieces

Come in and talk to us about your
Wedding Cake needs.

Fritz will create the dream cake you've
always wanted for your wedding!

We can also supply all your buns,
pastry & squares for your reception.

PLAZA BAKERY

Castleaird Plaza 365-5944

PARAGON

FINE BONE CHINA FROM ENGLAND

Intricately designed and edged in gold or platinum,
Paragon graces your table with classic elegance.
Now this superb china — in 20-piece services
and individual place settings. Open stock —

* is avery tempting 25% off.

& Sonje’s

907 SPOKANE ST.
TRAIL © 368-5115

CHINA
CABINET

1117 BAKER ST.

NELSON = ° mrty 2521 CRANBROOK © 426-3770

Oldtime Ukrainian
wedding lasted days

Editer’s note: The trad
itional wedding in the
Prairies can last days and
feature such rituals as
matehmaking and “kidnap-
ping” the bride. This ar-
ticle features the customs
brought to the Prairies by
European immigrants.

WINNIPEG (CP) —
When Marie Patzerniuk
got married 41 years ago,
the guests began arriving
at breakfast time and had
to be fed in shifts through
out the day.

When Mary Oystryk in-
vited people to her wed-
ding in 1934, she didn’t
bother with special printed
cards and envelopes — she
simply hitched a horse to a
buggy and drove around to
see the 70 people on her
list.

In the intervening years,
the traditional wedding
among descendants of
Eastern European immi-
grants to Canada has lost
much of its zest.

Some people still opt for
the big wedding with mar-
athon drinking and eating,
but many now prefer a

quick civil ceremony and

some couples elope to es-

5 cape the fuss.

But. when Patzerniuk
nd her friends were get
ing married, the celebra-
tions involved two separ-

ate ceremonies and usually
lasted about three days.

A generation earlier a

wedding could be an en-
durance test, lasting up to
a week.

FROM EUROPE

These weddings, which

featured such rituals as
atchmaking and “kidnap-
ping” the bride, were part

of the culture brought to
the Prairies by immigrants
from Czechoslovakia, Po-
‘and, the Ukraine and
other European countries
in the 1890s.

Patzerniuk’s wedding re-
ception started at her par-
ents’ Saskatchewan farm.
early on a Sunday morn-
ing, with 35 people sitting
down for. a breakfast or
borscht, cabbage rolls,
roast chicken and jellied
salads.

‘The guests
began arriving
at breakfast
time’

“Everybody tried to
come but they couldn't
come at once, so they came
in shifts,” she said, adding
there were about 100
guests in all.

“They ate, got up, went
outside and then the next
batch would come in.”

A few kilometres down
the road, the groom's par-
ents were holding a re-
ception of their own.

Patzerniuk, who had to
travel to another town to
exchange wedding vows
the day before, said that
unlike the expensive cater-
ing that is done for today’s
weddings — perhaps cost-
ing as much as $10,000 —
most of the cooking for her
dinner was done by one
woman.

“They would hire a cook
who would usually be hired
for all weddings in the
area,” she said. “She would
come the day before and
kill the chickens and make
all the cabbage rolls.” ~

Also unlike today’s wed-

dings. which are usually
held on Saturdays, the
old-style celebrations were
almost always on a Sunday
because it was the only
free day most people had.

Before Patzerniuk's
time, couples were brought
together by matchmakers.
It was a complicated cer-
emony in which special
towels were placed by the
matchmaker under the
prospective bridesgroom's
belt. The towels, which
were often decorated with
Ukrainian embroidery,
symbolized the binding
process between the two
parties.

Patzerniuk and Oystryk
recalled that the big event
before their weddings was
making the bridal wreath
the night before.

“The women used to sit
around the table and sing
songs,” while they made
the wreath, Patzerniuk
said.

Most of the people who
came to the wedding were
relatives and friends and
inviting them was done in
person.

“You never sent out
wedding invitations,” said
Oystryk. “You would drive
around with a horse and
buggy two weeks before
and inVite everyone per.
sonally. And if they were
coming, they'd shake
hands with you and tell you
right then and there.”

CAME WITH GIFTS

‘Those who came brought
an assortment of gifts,
ranging from live chickens
— in case the cook ran out
— to small items such as
towels and fruit bowls.

Once all the guests at

the bride's party had fin-
ished eating, it was time
for the groom to arrive and
a second meal would begin.

But, before that, he had
to claim his bride, a trad-
ition referred to as the
kidnapping.

“He would come in with
his attendants and the
bride would be at the table
with her head down,” re-
called Oystryk. “The
groom would go around the
table three times with
a hanky and try to lift her
head. She refuses the first
two times, but the third
time she lifts it and she's
his.”

After presentation, in
which the guests donated
small gifts, the bride and
groom headed for his par-
ents’ home to begin all over
again.

‘The oldstyle
weddings were
almost always

ona Sunday'

“There was drinking all
day long,” said Patzerniuk.
“Some people would bring
over the booze they made.
They used to drink it
straight.”

Oystryk said that al-
though her one-day wed-
ding included many of the
Ukrainian traditions, it
was a far cry from the
week-long events she was &
told about by older people.

“It would begin on Sat-
urday evening and the
wedding would still be
going on Monday, Tues-
day, Wednesday, until the
next Sunday.

Tips

on wedding toasts

Punch is served and toasts are drunk after the
cutting of the cake.

At large weddings, a master of ceremonies is some-
times appointed to introduce the toasts and to read tele-
grams of congratulation.

He should be a close friend, and a relaxed and
assured speaker. The honor of being master of
ceremonies sometimes falls to the lot of the best man.

Toast to the bride This is proposed by a close friend
of the bride’s family. When possible, somebody is chosen
who has known the bride from childhood. The minister is
sometimes asked if the family attends his church
regularly and is well-known to him.

The toast should be brief, warm, sincere and not
overly serious. In wishing happiness to the bride, the
speaker should include the groom and express good
wishes on behalf of all assembled guests. If they are
seated, the bride and groom do not rise.

Groom's reply and toast to bride's attendants The

groom thanks the guests for their wishes and beautiful
gifts. He adds appreciation to his new inlaws — first for
the gift of their daughter, then for their thoughtfulness to
him and then for the wonderful wedding. He usually
invites the guests to the new home — an invitation which
should be followed by specifying date and time. He then
draws attention to the loveliness of the attendants,
thanks them for helping the bride, and proposes a toast to
them.

Toast to the couple's parents The best man replies to
the groom's toast, and proposes the health of the mothers
of the bride and groom. It is appropriate and thoughtful
to include the fathers as well. In some cases, the best man
proposes the toast to the bride’s attendants, and the head
usher then assumes responsibility for the best man’s
reply and toast.

The father of the bride He is introduced by the last
person to propose a toast and ends the speeches by
thanking the guests for helping to make the occasion a
success.

ds will

DIFFERENT GIFT... Why not

forever, Reea hot air eae pi

Think unusual.

Some couples have all they
need, as more people marry
later, or after years of living
in, or for a second time.

But a gift — or memory —
is limited only by your imagi-
nation.

If they have their fill of

Give
unusual
gifts

silver, china and crystal — or
loathe polishing — consider
an artsy coffee table book.
Theatre or concert tickets,
perhaps?
Do they like to dine out?
Consider gift certificates or

cranny Cugtom arrangements.

If money is no object, there

are many possibilities:
© A romantic weekend at a
resort.
© A hot air balloon ride.
© A candlelight dinner at a
favorite sentimental location
— a meadow, under the stars,
by the sea.

Keep job, plans separate

Most modern brides are working women who must
juggle wedding plans with jobs.

A Bride's Magazine survey has 87.1 per cent of its
readers in full-or part-time jobs.

Most also are preparing to wed but to keep plans —

iting as they are — from interfering with work,
Bride's suggests:

Learn to separate work and wedding. Sometimes
it’s necessary ta confirm an appointment or run an errand
in working hours. Usually, though, it’s best to do so
during lunch or coffee break.

Keep wedding talk down. Co-workers are bound to
be excited but supervisors may become uneasy if
wedding details monopolize office conversations.

¢ Maintain professional poise. A client may be
distracted by wedding dress clippings tacked to your
bulletin board. Stash wedding notes and other materials
in a folder or drawer.

Be realistic about invitations. You needn't invite
your entire department but if you want to, post a blanket
invitation and make it clear how to respond.

* Avoid identity crises. If you're going to take your
husband's name, send a print
of your marriage which includes your new name.

e Stay even-keeled. As the wedding nears, use stress
management techniques (e.g., exercise, meditation) to
relieve tension and keep up energy and concentration.

For the
perfect
wedding

Let Safeway’s friendly
florist, Sheryl Sookochoff,
create distinctive

Floral Pieces

designed just for you!

Arrangements for
any occasion.

For inquiries, call
Sateway, 365-7771.

Floral service
at reasonable

prices...at

Canada Safeway.

uy

Hence

The Uomo Classico Collection.

Born of an idea. To present Canadians
with a line of limited edition men’s
formal ensembles that captures

the cosmopolitanism, vitality and

style of Europe.

ery
Best Will Do.

Available at the Kootenay
Klothes Kloset in Castlegar and
J.J.'s Fashions at Waneta Plaza.

Introducing the |
omo Classico Collection

359 Columbia Ave., Castlegar * Waneta Plaza, Trail

=

For the
bride-to-be eee

~ Wedding invitations

» Marriage announcements

Personalized wedding napkins,
matches, coasters, cake boxes

Choose from our lorge selection of
Product:

& Sun
10% DISCOUNT FOR PREPAYMENT
RY

News

197 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, Ph. 365-7266

FLORAL CO.

For professional custom design and the

very best service...
Call 365-5191

YOUR HONEYMOON PLANS
START AT HENNE TRAVEL!

© SPECIALRENO PACKAGES.
From Spokane at $139 U.S. Air, 2 Nights Accom.

© 3 & 4 DAY CARNIVAL CRUISES
Fun Ship"

HELPFUL + Grooms must remember the ring
and not fort their lines.

WEDDING DAY
CAN BE TOUGH
ON THE GROOM

Marriage is a perilous proposition, with naught so
treacherous as the wedding day itself — especially for the
bridegroom.

He ends up getting blamed for just about ‘anything that
goes wrong.

Cold meatballs at the reception? Thirty lashes.

A guest shakes your lovely wife's hand and calls her by
an old girlfriend’s name? Death by hanging.

Maybe the wedding cake is spice cake, not pound cake.
The fact is, somebody will probably tell the groom about it.

Nod, smile and resist the urge to perform a tonsillec-
tomy on the spot without proper surgical tools or anesthetic.

The ability to smile in the face of adversity will come in
handy when you are the subject of spine-chilling glares of
varying degrees, particularly before the ceremony when all
involved are panicking uncontrollably and stalking around in
an ugly mood suggesting anything but the blissful union of
two kindred souls.

Of course, studies show couples who survive the strain
stand a good chance of staying married — at least until
somebody brings up everything that went wrong at the
wedding.

Listen up, grooms-to-be: Here are simple guidelines to
help you through the wedding and beyond with minimum
chaos.

¢ Know your lines and don't daydream. Nothing’s worse
than being caught by surprise when the preacher asks you to
say “I do” and you respond, “Do what?”

« Remember the ring. A used beer tab is a poor
substitute.

@ Perform smiling exercises, at least two hours a day,
starting several weeks in advance. It’s easy to tire of smiling
on your wedding day, especially at guests who complain
about the food, and photographers who order you around
like drill sergeants. Just remind yourself that if you don’t

keep smiling now, you'll pay for it down the road when your»

children make fun of your scowling weddin¥y pictures.

Do not, repeat, do not schedule your bachelor party
the night before the wedding. Too much fun can dull the
senses and make you sleep through the wedding bells. At
the very least, it can damage your already fragile
appearance, Ever seen “Bill the Cat” in a tuxedo?

Another caveat re the bachelor party: Make sure you
can trust the people you are partying with. One poor soul
went to a bachelor party the night before his wedding and
woke up the next morning in an airport several states away.
It seems his buddies had carted him to the local airport,
bought him a one-way ticket and loaded him onto a plane. He
didn’t get back in time.

If you're planning to videotape the ceremony, be sure
to tell everyone in the wedding party so your best man
doesn’t nod off as the camera rolls. Neither he nor your wife
will ever let you forget, and forever is a long time.

ordinary cake. Custom made
cakes con

JOHNNY'S
BAKERY

our
Silent Partner

Business, marriage, a family? Now’s the time to
start your financial planning. Because the

plans you have for the future are the pidns |

can help you with now.

We have pians that help you
every step of the way.

Jack Parkin
Bus, 365-6664 © Res, 365-2694
For 100 years, policy holder needs
have been the heart of our business!

Mutual Life of Canada

SAVINGS UP TO

ef? eas Sl

Check your shoes before heading to the to
make sure no pal — the kind who would ship your
unconscious body out-of-town on a plane — has written “Go
State!” in big letters on the soles.

© After the wedding, as the two of you drive blissfully
along, en route to the honeymoon, do not pull into Joe's

What-a-Burger and exclaim, “Let's eat!”

HENNE
TOURS

1410 Bay Ave
r

? Airtare
© Cruises & Pkg. Holidays 1410 Bey Ave, Trall * 368-5695

CALL HENNE TRAVEL FOR ALL YOUR
ED TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
HENNE TRAVEL

907 SPOKANE ST. 446 BAKER ST. 1117 BAKER ST.
TRAIL © 368-5115 . CRANBROOK © 426-3770

25 5-8 SS SE SS,

A Luxurious Hideaway
for Two in Spokane’s
Most Desirable Hotel

THE SHERATON HONEYMOONER
Your Honeymoon ts Something ou won't forget. And
the Sheraton-Spokane Hotel is\ going to make sure you
don't.
Choose one of these special packages and start. your
life together in the most Desirable, Luxurious Hideaway in
Spokane.

Sparkling Shampogne ‘on or.
rival in your Ke suite for
only $83; or

A deluxe suite with chilled
. delicious

rooms with @ park f
Bictala onnony )
— “ —

Plan ahead to enjoy breakfast in bed and Begin this speciatday with .
Bubbly Champagne, Flaky Croissants, Hot Coffee and Plump, Red
St rries served with rich whipped cream. Truly an untorgettoble
Lover's Breakfast! Let us make for this in adh ++. only
$15 for the two of you.

Hotel

Canedien corey for moon ¢ on a
CALL YOUR LOCAL VEL At
Sheraton-Spokane (509) ne 3008 | a Su

SHR SR

AR STR SHR STR STR SBE SS STK SSR SH 1 7 GR BLAIS