What You Should Know About Estonian Wedding

I often say "I've got a wedding" and I need to explain every time that I am not the one getting married.

For foreigners it's difficult to explain what I am doing at strangers' weddings. I am not a priest, not a musician, not a photographer, not a guest, not the groom, and not a wedding crasher either. Weddings in other parts of the world usually don't have this kind of person like me.

You see, if you lock Estonians up in one room, nothing happens. They might leave the room 24 hours later without having said a word to each other. A wedding is no different. Therefore, the bride and groom need to hire a person for the wedding who makes things happen. It is something between an MC (master of ceremonies) and a wedding organizer. It's called pulmaisa or pulmavana or isamees. I am the one.

I have done many international weddings. There are things I have seen which make foreigners raise their eyebrows, but which are perfectly normal to Estonians. I have listed some of these things below.

What should a non-Estonian bride or groom know about Estonian weddings?

1. Female guests dress up very nicely,

   trying to outdress the bride.

2. Estonians eat fast.

   Like 15-minutes fast.

3. They do not give long speeches.

   The longest is "Noh, võtame!"

4. They don't let you miss a shot.

   Replace vodka with water.

5. They make you kiss in front of everyone

   a thousand times.

6. Brides give up their names to make a point:

   there's no way back.

7. They visit a stork nest.

   They don't know any other way to get babies.

8. They stop your car

   and there is no easy way out.

9. They love to dance,

   but nobody dares to start.

10. They drink you under the table.

    You should dance instead.

11. They pay for the guy

    who makes you do silly things.

12. They party all night long

    and the following nights as well.

13. They try to steal your bride.

    You should let them.

14. They do not pay for their drinks.

    It's all on you.

Many stories go around about Estonian weddings. Most of them are true. One thing is for sure — Estonian weddings are fun and memorable.