Our big, long Armenian weddings

ANI AMIRKHANIAN

Anyone who has ever attended an Armenian wedding knows about the

grandeur of the whole event. A typical Armenian wedding is a

celebration of life and, of course, love. There is one thing for

sure, and it is a known fact, that Armenian weddings are big and last

for hours and hours.

It’s no surprise to me when I hear my non-Armenian friends say,

after having attended an Armenian wedding, there was so much food on

the table they thought the appetizers were actually the main course.

Armenian weddings require feasting on a meal fit for a king. For

one night, no one can help but become a glutton, without feeling the

guilt of having consumed excessive amounts of food.

After eating a rather large meal, one is never too far from

burning off the excess calories. As soon as the lively and upbeat

Armenian music starts to play, no one stays seated after eating.

Guests simply get up and dance -- dancing provides a means of burning

off the fat and calories from all the food.

Yet the bountiful array of appetizers, rice and kabob are not

complete without glasses full of wine and other liquor, in particular

vodka, which is often the drink of choice consumed to toast the union

of the bride and groom. Most often, there is one person, known as a

tamadah, who is designated to announce to the guests to raise their

glasses and toast the newlyweds.

I have had the pleasure of attending several Armenian weddings.

For most of them, I was in the wedding party, which meant I had an

important role to play.

Believe me when I say that Armenian weddings are long. I have yet

to attend a wedding where my day did not begin at 8 a.m. When you are

in an Armenian wedding party (if you are a bridesmaid or groom), you

have to be prompt and be prepared to start your day bright-eyed and

well-rested from the night before.

It’s important to mention that prior to the church ceremony, the

families of the bride and groom organize a pre-wedding get-together

known as a nushan for the immediate family. The purpose of the nushan

-- which requires the presence of a priest -- is to bless the rings

and the wedding gown in the company of family. Although many families

have a nushan in the early afternoon on the day of the wedding,

others prefer to have theirs prior to their wedding day. This

ceremonial process is all in the name of tradition and one that has

always been prevalent in the Armenian culture.

Every step of the way, timing is important. Most nushans usually

end with the photographer taking photos of the bride and groom and

their families. Then the wedding party is whisked away to a local

park for more pictures. At the park, the group can loosen up and pose

for the less informal and often silly pictures. Then it’s off to the

church.

The last wedding I attended about two months ago, I ran into a bit

of a delay. My cousin, the bride, had asked me to be her bridesmaid,

and as her only bridesmaid, I had to be prompt and by her side. But

due to circumstances beyond my control, I was late!

When I arrived, I saw the numerous guests who had already arrived

before me and had begun the celebration of the nushan. There were

people trailing outside the door and music could be heard as people

danced and congratulated the bride- and groom-to-be. Without further

ado, I made my way to the door, and casually danced my way into the

living room and joined in the festivities.

Much to my surprise, few people noticed my tardiness.

There is no doubt that Armenian weddings are also like a great big

reunion. No matter whose wedding I attend, there is always a reunion

with old friends and acquaintances.

Many weddings are not complete without a talent show often put on

at the reception. A wedding I attended one time was not short of

multi-talented people who felt the need to entertain the guests.

One of the bride’s closest friends, who is also an opera singer,

belted out a song from a famous Armenian opera. One man, who most

people thought was part of the kitchen crew, did a Russian dance and

humored the guests with his comedic antics.

As monotonous as Armenian weddings might sound, they are not to be

missed. But if you’re not Armenian and have never been to an Armenian

wedding, make the effort to do so. And if you have Armenian friends

who are getting married, chances are you’ll be invited to their

wedding.

There is never a dull moment at an Armenian wedding. It’s a

worthwhile experience not to be forgotten.

* ANI AMIRKHANIAN is a resident of Glendale, a graduate of USC and

a freelance writer. Reach her at anisaccount @yahoo.com.