Armenian wedding is a captivating blend of traditions of the past and modern elegance. Religious ceremony and joyful party, each step is a journey through the heart of Armenian culture. What do you need to know before planning a wedding in Armenia? We will try to answer this question.
With the variety of hotels and restaurants, Armenia has become an increasingly sought-after destination for Diaspora couples wishing to tie the knot in their ancestral homeland. However, non-Armenian couples seeking a unique and memorable wedding in the mountains have been recently choosing Armenia. The allure lies not only in the comfort and elegance that the wedding planners in Armenia can offer but breathtaking landscapes and historic venues.
While more couples are choosing the country as their wedding destination, experts at Levon Travel are also providing all the necessary support that a tourist agency can offer. This includes booking the most affordable tickets and hotels and helping with transportation.
Our blog will explore the legal aspects of the wedding, traditions, and popular ways of celebrating love stories in Armenia.
Legal Aspects
Some foreigners prefer to get married without any documents, just a beautiful ceremony somewhere in the mountains or picturesque wineries that are so popular in Armenia. Meanwhile, foreigners wishing to officially tie the knot in Armenia can easily do it if they have all the necessary documents. According to Armenian law, a foreign national has to submit a passport and a document certifying the family status. The latter has to be issued by the competent authority of the state of permanent residence.
The law requires the translation of all documents into the Armenian language. Once your pile of papers is ready, you can apply to the Civil Acts Registration Service. Registration of marriage by the state authorities is carried out on the 10th day following the day of submitting the application. If you do not have much time, you can pay an additional fee of 150, 000 AMD (around $375). In this case, you can get married in 1-2 business days.
Armenian Wedding Traditions
Photo: Tarosik Art
An Armenian wedding is a huge event for every family. It’s fair to say that Armenians never save money and resources to surprise their guests. Traditionally Armenian weddings unfolded over several stages. The first is engagement when the groom’s family comes to ask for the bride’s hand.
In the past Armenian weddings were different from the way they are celebrated nowadays. True Armenian traditions have been mainly lost or forgotten. However, there are some wedding planners nowadays that revive forgotten rituals and even clothes that the bride and groom used to wear in the past.
Some rituals such as wearing green and red ribbons – a symbol of fertility or putting lavash on the shoulders of newlyweds are still alive. Mother-in-law usually meets a new couple with lavash and honey which is a symbol of a “sweet” and prosperous life.
The wedding starts at the groom’s home where his family and he prepare to leave for the bride’s home. They always carry gifts for the bride’s family, including fruits and sweets. There are some funny traditions like stealing a bride’s shoe while the bride is dressing to get a ransom.
The church ceremony is central to Armenian weddings. The couple always chooses their “qavor” and “qavor kin” or a godfather and his wife who are acting as the best man and maid of honor. However, their main role is guiding the newlyweds into their new life.
At the core of Armenian weddings are music, dances, and a lot of food. The guests receive small charming gifts called “tarosik”, decorated candies meant for unmarried relatives and friends. They symbolize love and the newlyweds hand over them personally to share their happiness with their single friends and wish them to get married soon.
Modern Weddings
Modern Armenian weddings have evolved into grand celebrations, with a keen emphasis on choosing the perfect venue, often making it the highlight of the event.
The selection process is a delicate decision. Armenians attach great importance to the atmosphere, menu, and location of the venue and the restaurant. There are hundreds of options in Yerevan and in other cities.
However, more couples tend to make their celebrations look like modern European weddings and give up some of the traditions. For example, many couples arrive at the church separately. The groom does not take the bride from her house, which was a must in the past. Another popular choice is to plan a wedding in a hotel restaurant somewhere outside Yerevan or at a winery with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
European traditions like throwing a bouquet into the crowd is a usual thing at a modern wedding. During most of the weddings, the bride and her friends prepare a dance to Armenian traditional music.
One thing that always remains the same is a lot of food and the festive mood that accompanies every wedding.
How a Travel Agency Can Help in Organizing an Armenian Wedding?
Organizing an Armenian wedding can be a challenging task, especially for couples navigating travel arrangements. A travel agency, like Levon Travel with more than 30 years of expertise in Armenia tourism, can ensure a stress-free journey for the newlyweds.
Our staff will take care of travel logistics, from flights to accommodations, allowing the couple to focus on the joyous occasion. From arranging transportation for guests and organizing tours to show them the beauty of Armenia, the agency handles it all, alleviating the burden on the couple.
With our assistance, couples embarking on an Armenian wedding can cherish the magic of the moment, confident that every travel detail is managed by our experts.