You may think that the economy here depends on the oil under the Caspian Sea. But if you drove through any of the main thoroughfares in the larger cities, you would know that weddings (called toys in Azeri) are the real business here. For example, along the street to my school there are 5 relatively new "wedding palaces" - buildings whose only business is hosting weddings every day of the week. Weddings are so important in this culture that there are 2 weddings for each couple - the bride's wedding and the groom's wedding. (Yes, they attend both weddings together.)
Weddings are a cultural practice, not a religious one. Since weddings are so important in a family-focused society, it is not surprising that wedding palaces have sprung up as separate entities. Name anything in America related to a wedding, and Azeris have it 10 times over!
Wedding dresses: many look right out of Barbie but I've also seen photos of a Muslim bride in a beautiful white hajib. The bride has 2 dresses - a colored one for her wedding and the traditional white with veil for the groom's wedding.
Jewelry: the bride can hardly lift her hand there are so many rings - with matching earrings and necklaces of course.
Makeup and hair: Beauty salons specialize in wedding parties, i.e. glamour.
Gift baskets: these can be huge baskets of candy, toiletries, food etc delivered to the bride or grooms home.
Furniture: It is expected that the bride provide the furniture and the groom provides the home. All that money given at the toy is expected to pay for home furnishings.
Car decorations: don't get me started on tulle-covered Humvees. I've seen 'em.
A wedding palace offers all the amenities that any family would want for a wedding. They prepare the invitations, the ceremony is held there, food goes on for many courses, dancing for many hours, and toasts. Of course all of this must be captured on video and still photos and a wedding palace provides the emcee, limousines, the band, the food, the photographer, the decor. That's the business of wedding palaces and you'll be reminded of them every time you watch your 4-hour wedding video.
What really intrigues me is the expectation that those who attend contribute a specified amount of money at the end of the evening. In fact, the amount of money is written on the invitation and there is a clerk who records who gives what amount. Money is given instead of a wedding gift.
There is much more to the culture of weddings, but I only mention the industry that surrounds it. As a PC volunteer, I expect to be invited to many toys. However, we do not contribute money to any weddings - we are guests of our host family. And sometimes the attendance of an American can turn into a separate side-show since we are expected to dance along with the other guests. I can't wait!
Dear Margaret,
ReplyDeleteThank you for clear and detailed description of Azeri wedding. It is indeed a business sometimes profitable and in most cases a big mess, as the case with mushrooming palaces in Baku. We need to educate business people to make investments to different things, where everyone from local economy can benefit and at the same time contribute to, again, local economy. At present we have probably more wedding places per capita in the world.
However, you touched the best part of the issue as to Azeri wedding and business practice related to that.
Thank you again for detailed observation you shared with your readers
Hi Marge. Loved reading about that country's wedding traditions and wedding business. My gracious. Must be costly. What do the poor people do who have no money? I can tell you are excited about your move next month. Look forward to reading about it...your host family and pictures of the city.
ReplyDeleteAnnie B is planning the annual Christmas brunch but she hasn't set a date yet. We will REALLY miss you at the table. We have terrible roads today with freezing rain and cars in ditches. Isn't that nice that you are missing this? Think of you all the time and am happy to read that you are doing well. Happy Thanksgiving...Patti Dye