Wedding Weekend

One of my Albanian "sisters" - Blerta - just got married. The experience proved particularly unique since I had lived in this family's home and am considered one of the sisters. Once you have been taken into a home and cared for by a family, you hold a special place of honor and respect in their circle. That honor is extended over and over… it cannot be earned, is not easily removed, and it must simply be accepted.

A wedding in Albanian culture is far more extravagant than a wedding in my home culture. For starters, it is more like two weddings… one for the bride and one for the groom. The bride's family hosts their extended family, friends, and neighbors to a wedding feast and celebration on Saturday, and the groom's family holds a separate celebration for their invitees on Sunday.