Albanian (Catholic) Wedding, Bronx, NY, 1986
At the bridegroom's celebration, which no member of Julie's family attends, she stands at her place at a long table with her matron of honor. She may not dance or eat or even sit for long. When she receives a toast, still on two feet, she acknowledges it by a nod of her head.
Katrina Thomas's notes: An Albanian wedding in the Bronx, NY in 1986 retains unique customs based on tribal culture which signal that a bride is joining another clan. Marriages are arranged but a matched pair may refuse the partner. On the morning of the wedding, while the bride dresses, her family entertains guests at a large celebration. When she is ready to go to church, they say farewell to their daughter because they will not attend either her nuptials or the bridegroom's reception in the evening. In fact, after the wedding she is not permitted to see her family or return to her childhood home for a specified number of days. When she does visit, she is no longer treated like a daughter but as a guest. For a year after marriage, she is considered to be a bride and when her own sisters enter a room she stands in respect. As Albanians have become Americanized many of these customs have been dropped.
Thomas, Katrina (photographer)
1986
1 photograph : black-and-white
reformatted digital
North and Central America--United States--New York--New York
BMC-M59
Photographer's categories: Feast and reception , Bride , Matron of honor , Bridal table , Toasts
BMC-M59_07-07