Bride’s garland

The wreath of artificial flowers, which formed part of the festive or ceremonial decoration of the maiden's head, was found in all types of folk costumes. It is made of white, pink and maroon (heavily faded) canvas flowers and green leaves of various shapes fixed on a round wire. The wire at the back is tied with cotton ribbons in two places. This form of headgear was one of the vital signs of a maiden's outfit, allowing her marital status to be recognised. In spring and summer, during festive celebrations, girls and young ladies usually wore garlands made from natural flowers or wore one flower in loose hair or two braids. When it was impossible to use live flowers on the wedding day, wreaths were made from other materials. The bride or bridesmaids wore them. Girls often prepare the ceremonial headdress on their hen night – the bachelorette party – together with creating other wedding props, such as the wedding rod or corsages for the groom and best man. Sometimes garlands were borrowed between the girls, and only before the wedding did the bride enrich them with additional decorations. There were certain customs associated with the wedding garland. It was placed on the bride on the wedding day by an older bridesmaid, but only for virtuous maidens, which was strictly observed. According to tradition, the young married woman would leave the garland on the side altar after the wedding, symbolically saying goodbye to her maidenhood. The custom has survived in a slightly transformed form in the Lublin region to the present day, except that a young married woman, when she prays with her husband after mass, leaves a wedding bouquet at the side altar of the church.