Circassian Wedding Photography

Candid, editorial style and unique Circassian Wedding Photography covering the tri-state area of NJ, NY, CT & PA.

CIRCASSIAN WEDDING TRADITIONS

Spring is in the air in Adyghea. Down the city’s main road, there is the triumphant sound of  … car horns? A band of compact cars goes whizzing by with bright green Adyghe flags waving out the windows. Young Adyghe men hang out the windows laughing, hooting and hollering. They’ve kidnapped the bride! This ancient tradition is revisited on the streets of this modern city just about every week in the spring and summer. The bridegroom and friends “capture” the young lady, and take her to the bridegroom’s home, sometimes truly to the bride’s surprise. In the past, this was a means of elopement. If the bride’s parents objected to the marriage, the union could have led to a blood feud. Now, it is usually a nod to tradition and an official proposal.