We started this month on a sad note as we said goodbye to 2 wonderful couples who had finished their service as Kyiv Temple Missionaries.

Elizabeth and Dale Hoskisson lived right across the hall from us and are so talented, and so full of knowledge and fun.  We are glad they are going to be fairly close by when we get home.

The Hollingshead are one of those couples that just attract people to them.  They are always doing something for someone and I don't know how we are going to survive without her homemade chocolates that she shared with everyone.  I hope Nevada knows how lucky they are to have them.

We were invited to attend the reception of a couple that Brent had the privilege of performing the Sealing in the Temple.  We were excited to see what a "typical" Ukrainian reception looked like.

First of all it was held on the Monday- so 3 days after they were married.  It was held in their chapel and there were some things that were unique to Ukraine and some things they had adopted from US traditions.  It was small with maybe 30-40 people in attendance, and felt like a blend of a reception, a wedding breakfast, and a bridal shower.

They had a video presentation with snapshots of each of them growing from infancy to adulthood.
They greeted their guests in the foyer standing in front of the traditional wedding bread koroval.  In ancient times it was considered to be a protective amulet for newlyweds.

It was a beautiful piece of art.

 After they were through greeting their guests, and everyone was seated in the other room, the mother led the procession carrying the koroval with the special shawl into the chapel meeting area where the party was going to be held.. The chairs were arranged with an aisle down the center so the bride and groom could walk to the front of the room. When they all stopped in front  - the bride and groom each took a flower from the bread and fed it to the other.  Then the bread and cloth were set on a table on the side.

Now it started to feel  like a wedding breakfast. Words of gratitude and blessings about their union were given.  The groom's mother said s few remarks to the couple, and the Bishop gave some advice.

The bride's parents live in Eastern Ukraine and were not able to be present for the wedding or the party.

They had some special numbers: a vocal solo by our friend Alan Tomlinson and a couple of piano solos - one by the mother of the Groom.  More words of council were given and the program began to feel more like a wedding shower.  With games, music and dancing.

Some of the games were just for the couple.  For example, the couple were told to stand on opposite sides of the room and the MC asked them questions about their spouse.  If they got it right they would get to take a step forward.  The goal was to meet in the middle and have a kiss.  They got most of the questions right and the kiss was given.

Some of the games included the audience.  They had a dance with about 10 couples dancing - but one person was dancing with a broom.  Everyone would dance until someone stopped the music and  everyone would switch partners quickly hoping not to be stuck with the broom. (Kind of like musical chairs)

During the dance the bride was kidnapped and taken out of the room.  The groom now had to do tasks all by himself.  Like creating a home for his family out of Lego blocks, diapering a doll, and tying a knot in a dish towel and then having to untie it. (?)

They had a music game with a  magic hat that a young girl would  place on someones head and then music would start playing a song that represented that person.

The pantomime was pretty funny with its costumes and props. At the climax the groom had to rescue the bride from the dragon.

There was the usual "first dance", throwing of the bouquet, and cutting of the cake.  But they were a little different  and I think I liked their version better!!

The throwing of the bouquet had all the unmarried women (old and young) form a circle around the bride. They played a beautiful Ukrainian song and the circle of women danced around the bride, in traditional Ukrainian style.  She had her eyes closed and listened to the music and when she felt like it was the right time stepped forward and held out the bouquet to the lucky girl who happened to be in front of her.  The lady who was given it was a little older and she started to cry when it was handed to her.  It was very sweet.

The cake cutting I also thought was very sweet.  They had the cake brought into the middle of the room and everyone remained in their seats.  The bride and groom cut the cake and gave each other a small bite or two with a fork. Symbolizing service to each other.  They then continued to cut the cake and carried the pieces to their guests.  It was an act of service and thanks to all those who had come to support them.

Everyone was then invited to follow the bride and groom to the kitchen for refreshments,  Helping themselves to finger foods and more sweets.

You might also be interested to know that the wedding ring is worn on the 4th finger of the right hand  instead of the left as we are used to.


As in the States, every reception is different and represents the bride and groom.  But I thought this was a great introduction to some of the traditions of Ukrainian weddings.

We send you our love and warm wished for a beautiful Spring.

Brent and Jan