Jacquelyn & Cole - A Serbian Wedding

Serbian weddings are full day festivities that start with a Skup, which is a pre-ceremony party where food, drink, music, dancing and conversation are shared. It ends with the bridal party departure after a round of dancing and flag waving. Jacquelyn and Cole enjoyed the sounds of a live Serbian music as they snacked and talked to guests, living in the happiness that would surround the entire day.

Before departing, the wedding party dances the Kolo. Kolo is a traditional Serbian folk dance named after the circled formed by the dancers. It is performed at weddings, social, cultural and religious ceremonies. Kolo dance represents a powerful symbol of the Serbian national identity. The ring represents the symbol of perfection and life, a symbol that has remained in Serbia even today.

One by one, guests arrived at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Joliet, IL. The church is covered in gold, showing loyalty to the past in connection with the ancient church. As seats were filled, the bride made her way off the party bus and through the doors. After rings were exchanged, the priest gave the couple lit candles to hold. The burning flames symbolize the couple’s spiritual willingness to receive God’s blessings.

The crowns were then placed on their head,  representing the glory and honor with which God crowns the couple during the sacrament. The couple then drinks from a shared cup taking three sips, symbolizing the couples mutual sharing of joy and sorrow. When the couple walks around the table, it is their first steps as husband and wife.

After the ceremony, the best man (Kum) tosses coins and candy into the air. Kids run around picking up these coins and treats, a ritual believed to promise financial prosperity and a sweet life. This was followed by more happiness and celebration as everyone took part in the Kolo, blessing Jacquelyn and Cole’s sacred unity.

Last stop for the party bus was DiNolfo’s Banquets. Dinolfo’s is an open and inviting space, perfect for a large ring of dancers to celebrate the reinforced bond of Jaquelyn & Cole. Guests found their tables (and donuts) and waited for the wedding party to make their entrance. This was followed by another Kolo before the everyone took their seats for cake cutting and speeches.

First dances were filled with emotion, bringing tears to most in attendance. This was short lived as stomping and circle dancing would dominate the rest of the night. Energy radiated from that room and would soon be a memory, one Jacquelyn and Cole can happily reflect on for the rest of their lives together.