also posted to files & dowloads section, however thought this place is more suitable
from the book
The women of Turkey and their folk-lore, part 7
http://www.archive.org/details/womentur ... 00garngoog
a silver plate is put onto head of bride and a big red silk piece put on top of it. this silk piece flows down to feet
ribbons is used to tie silver plate and red silk.
a pair of cartoons ornated with bird feathers (google images sorguc) is attached to bride's head
bride dances with her father, small coins are showered her head during dance
groom's beard is shaved in presence of his friends, with jokes and story telling
after shaving, groom wears his clothes, attachs a sword to his belt (in ottoman empire, grooms are allowed to carry weapons and use accordingly on wedding day to prevent kidnapping of brides)
when groom reaches bride's house, he meets his mother-in-law, gets a present from her, kisses her hand and mother introduces groom to bride
priest reads psalm 89, gives bride's hand to groom's hand, reads some prayers and make groom and bride so close that their foreheads nearly touch each other. ties small crosses to their heads with red rope.
during this time, bride is encouraged to step on groom's feet.
after this groom hands bride to maids, and leaves house with his company.
bride her face closed follows groom's company with her maids.
no other ppl are allowed to be between two near groups on the way to church
in church, priest makes couple to wear blessed crowns, then eucharist thing (bread-wine given), lots of psalms, prayers etc.
when leaving church wheat and small coins are showered on their heads.
when groom reaches his house, a sheep is sacrificed, visitors pass over this blood to enter the house
priest removes the crowns at groom's house
a baby boy is put onto bride's knees, after baby is taken,
kids rush to remove socks of bride and get the coins which are put there before
when bride and groom are alone in their room, groom presents some jewellery to bride,
if bride thinks she demands better , she can acts indifferently to get a raise!!
after marriage, a lunch is given to friends, relatives which came for congragulations
after marriage, bride's mom-dad cannot visit her for 1 week.
on saturday following the wedding, bride wears red veil (which she has wear until his father-in-law orders her to remove, may take few years) and kisses his in-law father's and mother's hands. during this veil time, she cannot address his husband's older relatives (she uses kids to send messages or uses gestures), nor speak her husband in presence of older relatives
on 40th day of marriage, bride is taken to water well/fountain, she has to kiss hand of first person she will spot on the way.
when at the well/fountain, she has to rub some butter to the stones and throw some millet to the birds.