Oczepiny is usually one of the main points of every wedding. You can like them or not. What if the Bride and Groom want to organize a wedding without the wedding reception? Is it worth giving up this tradition? For whom are oczepiny organized and what can replace them? Can you have fun without caps? 

What are oczepiny? 

Oczepiny is a tradition deeply rooted in the Slavic tradition. Years ago, it was the moment when the bride's wreath was removed and the traditional bonnet, which was reserved for wives, was put on. Also the Groom, who used to wear a wreath on his head at the wedding, could take off this decoration during the oczepiny. But he didn't throw it. This wreath was a gift for the chosen one of the heart. Just like today's wedding rings, it was supposed to be proof of the love the Groom had for the Bride. 

Polish wedding traditions it, among others oczepiny – the culminating moment of most weddings. They are accompanied by various kinds of games and competitions, and obligatorily the Bride throws a veil or a bouquet. The groom, in turn, throws his tie or bow tie. This game is attended by the bachelors and maidens gathered at the wedding. Therefore, oczepiny are associated with a part of the wedding intended mainly for single wedding guests.  

YES for caps

Supporters of oczepin claim that it is a time when wedding guests can integrate, compete and just have fun. Opponents, on the other hand, claim that games during oczepiny can be chauvinistic, tasteless and simply old-fashioned. How many wedding guests, so many sentences about oczepin. How many young couples, so many ideas for this part of the wedding. In agreement with the band or the DJ leading the wedding party, you can choose the proposals that will be suitable for you. In this way, you can eliminate any distasteful fun in your opinion.  

But what if there are no single brides and bachelors at the wedding? If the Young Couple doesn't like oczepin? Doesn't want to stick rigidly to tradition or for other reasons wants to organize a wedding without the headstock? Is it worth replacing them with something?  

Why do newlyweds organize a wedding without oczepin? 

No one has the right to force the Bride and Groom to maintain the tradition of organizing oczepiny. If you do not like this type of games, or you know that there will be no one to participate in the oczepiny, you can opt out of this part of the wedding ceremony. It is also up to you to decide what the oczepiny will look like.  

The Bride and Groom may depart from tradition, but not completely give up the oczepiny. This part of the wedding does not have to be associated with drinking vodka and ridiculing the participants of the games. Oczepiny may also not take place at all. Instead, you can organize other attractions for wedding guests that will make the lack of oczepin games not so noticeable.

What can replace fun during a wedding without oczepin? 

A wedding without caps doesn't have to be "incomplete". Wedding guests can be offered, for example, joint release of lanterns. It is a subtle alternative to fireworks. The effect is just as stunning and certainly more environmentally friendly. You can add wishes for the Bride and Groom or your dreams to them. It is a nice and surprising change to traditional oczepiny. Too wedding hall offers many opportunities to organize all kinds of attractions. 

One of the ways to spend the evening during a wedding without headdresses is a dance show or a joint traditional dance of all the wedding guests. At the same time, it doesn't have to be an "old-fashioned" dance. Instead of a polonaise, you can also invite the gathered to dance the can-can or the "train" together. Instead of oczepiny, you can also organize a slideshow or a short video. The bride and groom can show the history of their relationship or even more distant memories at this time. It is worth combining this with thanking the parents, which does not have to be associated only with singing the song "Wonderful parents have". 

The most obvious way to spend time at oczepiny is to serve a cake. It can be served at any time during the wedding. However, if the Young Couple resigns from the oczepin, wedding cake served at midnight seems a natural and good idea. You can also organize various types of competitions. A rivalry between families or a duel "ladies against gentlemen" can bring a lot of laughter and at the same time be cultural fun. Who will build the taller tower of blocks? Which team knows the actors or lyrics better? This type of activity can be a lot of fun

Instead of competitions in which wedding guests take part, you can also bet on fun in which the bride and groom take part. The fun of checking how well the Newlyweds know each other and how each of them sees their future together can be surprising and fun. Turning their backs to each other, answering the questions of the leader, the bride and groom can sometimes give completely different answers. After all, opposites attract.  

A traditional wedding without oczepin? 

Wedding planning it's happening more and more often without the caps. The newlyweds instead propose a different activity to the guests. Blowing soap bubbles or musical performances are very well received by all guests, who sometimes do not notice the lack of traditional oczepiny.  

On the other hand, those young couples who decide to play oczepin, pay more and more attention to the form in which it takes place. They also take into account who is having fun at the wedding. The organization of traditional oczepiny, during which a veil and a bow tie are thrown, makes no sense at parties without unmarried guests. Therefore, a wedding without oczepin no longer surprises anyone.