Most would agree that all the real fun at a Russian wedding begins after the rings have been exchanged and the vows have been spoken. It's only then that the bride, groom, and wedding guests begin their feast and celebration. It's also then that the wedding guests weave a particularly old however heartwarming tradition into the celebration. With their glasses raised, they make a special toast in honor of the bride and groom, and begin to shout "gorka", meaning bitter. They repeat this over and over until the bride and groom have shared a kiss, or a few at that.
This tradition has been around for several centuries, however its message continues to remain the same. The tradition stands as a symbol of how any bitterness can be easily diminished by a few simple kisses, a few plain acts of love. To this day, many choose to incorporate this tradition into their wedding, and by doing so choose to symbolize something quite sweet and heartfelt.
By Julia Dankov
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