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If you thought it was rough competing for homecoming queen, wait until you read about the annual bride sale in southern Bulgaria. The word "dress" is not missing from that statement. We're not talking about the Running of the Brides wedding-gown-stampede sale here.
Last weekend, over 2,000 Roma teens and their parents gathered with a singular purpose: to find a husband willing to pay a hefty price for his new wife. The open-air bride sale takes place every year on the first Saturday after the start of the orthodox Easter fast.
Dressed to Impress
Girls arrive gussied up in their finest clothes and jewelry, faces caked in makeup, eager to show prospective spouses their beauty. Younger brothers and sisters tag along to eat sweets and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
As one mother explained to Britain's Daily Mail, "We take our daughters to this gathering so they could get acquainted with boys, for we do not allow our children to go to discos." Word on the street is that a beautiful young woman can fetch several thousand euros.
Click here for another approach to matrimony in the Gypsy culture.
10 Outrageous Theme Weddings
Football Wedding This couple was married at the Cincinnati Bengals' Paul Brown Stadium. No word on whether the bride wore a sports bra.
Hello Kitty Wedding Never moved past your Hello Kitty pencil case? You can pay to have two giant creatures escort you down the aisle, like this couple.
jennfc.com
Star Wars Wedding We hope Yoda presided over this wedding ("Take the bride, do you?"). The London Telegraph reports on one such union where a Princess Leia was the ring bearer, clad in the infamous gold bikini.
klobtime, Flickr
Biker Wedding Why leave your Harley at home for the big day when you can ride down the aisle in style? This couple takes leather to the altar and shows their guests exactly how to ride off in to the sunset, without chafing.
Mad Man Dan / FaithRiders
WWII Wedding Time to party like it's 1942? All 100 guests at this wedding got into theme, donning fur wraps, berets and caps adorned with feathers. For authenticity they piped in the sound of sirens and Lancaster bombers flying overhead.
Hartlepool Mail
Zombie Wedding If the undead get married, then it really is a union that will last forever. To make it authentic you could even get carried in a coffin to the altar. Consider eating beforehand if you don't like brains.
wedlog.com
Disney Princess Wedding For your Cinderella day, you can buy a gown from the official Disney fashion line, or have your wedding at the actual theme park for 10 grand and up. Next up: "Lion King" groomsmen!?
bridezilla.com
Gangster Wedding Bonnie and Clyde made being a gangster romantic and now you can too with some vintage duds and smart pinstripes.
thebreadline, Flickr
Renaissance Wedding Grab your lute and mount your trusty steed! If you're donning a garter, run swiftly. One rather aggressive medieval tradition called for guests to grab a piece of the garment by any means necessary.
youandyourwedding.com
Lord of the Rings Wedding "One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." Take your "precious" to the altar and recite lines straight from Tolkien's classic as the vows. These LOTR superfans earn bonus points for their Minas Tirith cake.
Sarah and Patrick Needham
In some Gypsy communities in Romania, children can be betrothed before they are even born. Some participate in engagement ceremonies at age 4 or 6. Child engagement is not necessarily illegal, but the kids can't be legally married until age 16.
Until then, the families exchange money to seal the deal and ensure that the children remain in the community. If one party backs out and marries someone else, his or her family must repay three times the dowry to account for inflation. No pressure or anything!
Gypsies aren't the only people who marry young -- in Saudi Arabia, furor erupted after an 8-year-old girl wed a middle-aged man. And arranged marriages occur in women of all ages all over the globe -- including in the US.
Weird Ways Guys Popped the Question
Jason got his girlfriend Maui's favorite author, Neil Gaimain, to help out with his proposal. After waiting in line to meet the author at a book signing, Maui turned her newly signed copy around to reveal Gaimain's message: "PS, Will you marry Jason?"
http://diveabout.multiply.com/journal/item/13/The_Proposal_co_Neil_Gaiman
The guys behind the geeky comic Joys of Tech let one of their fans (Tony) propose to his girlfriend (Steph) through one of their issues. After waiting by, the creators posted her response on their site.
http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joystuff/proposal.html
We don't want to choose favorites, but JP definitely gets a shout out for over-the-topness. After deciding to propose to his girl in a Super Bowl commercial, he created a website to raise the needed funds. He actually achieved his goal, but not before ads sold out. Instead, he bought air time during her favorite show, Veronica Mars. Check out the commercial and her reaction here.
http://mysuperproposal.com/
Tasha got the shock of a lifetime while on board a flight back home from Africa when her boyfriend Ubie showed up on the plane and asked her to marry him over the intercom.
Flickr, mischiru
Through work connections, James had an engagement ring for his girlfriend Joy designed by famous video game artist Yoshitaka Amano. He also got Final Fantasy soundtrack composer Nobuo Uematsu to write a little ditty for him to play in the background while proposing.
http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8951187&publicUserId=4549175
Alexander proposed to his space loving girlfriend while on a zero-gravity flight that cost him a whopping $7,000. Good thing the ring didn't float away!
Flickr, Rose Davies
While all of our guys went to extremes, Todd is the only one to put his life in danger while proposing. At an annual 4th of July bash with family and friends, and with the help of a trained stuntman, Todd lit himself on fire. After diving into a pool of water, he told girlfriend Malissa that he is "on fire" for her and then dropped to one knee. He later made a website for the occasion.
http://www.hotproposal.com/
This computer science major inserted a new area into the game Chrono Trigger by hacking into the game in order to create a special proposal for his girlfriend, a fan of the game. He made it so all of the NPCs (non-playable characters) were her and him reliving the highlights of their relationship. Then, one of the NPCs proposed to the player (his girlfriend). Oh, just watch for yourself.
Flickr, kulafire
Jeff took Michelle to a local theater to see a showing of her favorite film Say Anything. Thing is, it was a slightly edited version; Jeff replaced John Cusack with an imagine of himself and entered "Marry Me, Michelle" into the frame.
Flickr, .scarlet.
As a favor to a fan, Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) asked Amy to marry "Jordan." He did it over the phone, while Amy was in another city and "Jordan" filmed the whole thing. While sweet, the bit was apparently a con. In fact, it seems there was much fooling of the LOTR cast going on.
Getty
Comments:
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Sunday 15 March
By Loky
WOLF: Eating Shrimp is an abomination to God. See... if your a Christian then any law and every law in the OLD testament is over with BECAUSE Jesus dead for our sins. Do you slaughter a Lamb every Passover? No, you don't. You dont even know when Passover begins or why they slaughter Lambs.. So stop using Christ to further your bigotry and ignorance. And, frankly, every person who gets all upset about homosexuality probably isnt confident in thier own sexual identity. And how did you turn a Bride 4 Sale article into something about Gays? Guilty for doing something you shouldnt have or wished you would have done?
Reply
Sunday 15 March
By Lorcan Otway
Dear Judith Beaudoin of Oregon, You say that you can guess at my age, and that I am young and have not been taught. Well, in point of fact I am rather old, and have not only have intimate contact with the Romani community ( "Gypsy" not Romanian, as per the error in your response) but I have a graduate degree and have lectured on the American Romani and Traveller communities. Everything you say about them, regarding their reputation and isolation can be said a bout a number of communities who suffer centuries of discrimination from the African American community to the Jewish Community here.
I find it interesting that a Judith Beaudoin, of Oregon sells crystals and lists the following in her bio.:
Rev. Judith has lectured at the Oregon Herb Society, Women's Military League of Oregon,
Churches in both Oregon and Washington. Private Sessions by Appointment, Energy Cleaning
and Balancing of Professional Complexes and Homes, Assisting new Business Owners,
Readings at Events, Private Functions, Classes and more.
She has appeared on Town Hall on Channel 2 in Portland, Oregon.
A guest Speaker and Reader on Vancouver's Cable Network
She is looking forward to continuing assisting each and every one of you.
Here is a list of some of her talents:
Spiritualist Minister...Clairvoyant...Herbalist..
Certified in Reiki since 1981
Counselor...Numerology...Dowser...
Shiatsu..Foot Reflexologist...medium
Spirtuial Response Therapist...
Theraputic Touch....Energy balancer
read for large corporations and government
I think when we judge naivete, we might consider your clients. I don't know that I would take the counsel of an Engery Balancer on issues of critical race theory.
Reply
Sunday 15 March
By Ciuin-Ferrin
I agree that those who have not researched a society should not attack it. A bride price is different than a sale. Do the research. Any journalist should make sure they know what they are talking about before they go to print. Its called being responsible.
The word "Gypsy" is often used among the Gypsies themselves, though if used by gadje, many Gypsies will be offended. The word is from the Middle Ages when it was believed the Gypsies came from Egypt. Egyptians..'Gyptians...Gypsies. Many - NOT ALL - Gypsies prefer the name Roma which means 'the People'.
I am still trying to understand the mentality of shop owners. If their logic is used, then they MUST close their doors to all customers. When I look at prison stats, I see whites, blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians....in other words, anyone can steal. I've seen white shoplifters. There are good people and bad people. There are bad whites and good whites, bad blacks and good blacks and on and on. You can't judge an entire race based on their ethnicity. It shows your true mentality.
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Wednesday 18 March
By Aaron
Any man that wants a loving wife, must first be a loving husband! We will celebrate our 45 anniversary August 2009. I pride myself with being a good listener with understanding while putting my precious wife's needs and desires first and she does the same for me. It takes six months to mind our own business and six months to leave other people's business alone.
We used to wrinkle the sheets five times a night, now it takes five nights before we wrinkle a sheet, but we're happy and content just to have each other to hold and cuddle before the sandman enters.
Reply
Thursday 19 March
By Secretfox74
I have a difficult time believing that there isn't a lot of domestic violence in those marriages. I spent a good deal of time in Romania where many Roma (gypsies) live. I do not mean to be rude to any Roma people, but I know there is violence against women and children. I believe this is true across the world in Roma communities as well as about every other kind of culture. I have nothing against Roma, but had a hard time when I learned about some of their customs. By the way, to those making fun of those girls 'yellow' teeth, have you thought that possibly the water they drink isn't flowing with chemicals and they don't have access to a dentist as often as you do? At least they don't look like tiny prostitutes with their backsides hanging out like some of the girls that age in our own culture!
Reply
Thursday 19 March
By sally the roma girl
im a roma girl and it is not nice to call us "gypsys"
how would you like us the call the blacks "niggers"
or the polish "pollocks" gees you people get me sick
Reply
Wednesday 25 March
By SheHen23
I have noticed many people of Bulgarian or Romanian descent writing to defend their nations claiming that the behaviour described is only Roma culture and has nothing to do with their country.__________ However I would deny that. I am from an English Romany family and almost all English Roma are deeply Christian and moral. No money is ever changed hands before a marriage and young people are free to chose their own partners. They very much do not have 'liberal divorce' traditions as Lorcan suggests, in fact divorce is extremely rare, as is co-habiting before marriage or children born out of wedlock.________As the Romany people travelled through various countries from India many centries ago some stayed behind in each Country they travelled through. Gradually over time they absorbed some of the culture and traditions of their new home country._______We now have Roma from Romania living in Britain and they are definately a scourge (though treated v. badly at home). Sadly though the bad reputation of Roma from some parts of the world has been applied to all Roma. My family is well liked and respected by local giorgio people and all that know us and live decent hard-working lives. However, a couple of weeks ago my husband, brother and teenage son visited a rural pub and 10 minutes after arriving were told to leave because, as the owner said 'I've a bad vibe about you 3!' None of them are troublemakers so they left quietly but who could have blamed them if they had got angry? To be thrown out just because they look Romany (dark colouring & smartly dressed) seems unbelievable but it is what we have to contend with constantly. We are quiet & law-abiding and wouldn't look to take revenge but shop-owners who complain about being harrassed should ask themselves if their own treatment of these people has any bearing.______We are, without doubt the most racially abused people on Earth, even political correctness has passed us over, so I beg you, please don't tar us all with the same brush!
Reply
Monday 06 April
By Lorcan Otway
SheHen is correct, as the article was about Vlax Roma, I was speaking about the Romany culture of the Vlaz natsi, with which I am familier. The Roma who entered Britain, though a common root culture, in the middle ages, have much in common with Vlax roma, but have changed as well. One finds differences even between Kalderasha that have lived in the US for one hundred years and members of the same natsia which have lived in Eastern Europe.
All the best to the Romanichael cousins!
Devlessa
Lorcan
Tuesday 21 July
By Rebecca
To start off with, attacking someone's appearance just requires that you be perfect, because people in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones. Rroma girls don't have a monopoly on wearing too much make up. I'm a high school teacher and am constantly amazed that my girls think this much make up helps their appearance. So the penchant for make-up is more likely an age, rather than a cultural thing.
Further to this, the Rroma aren't the only people who use a bride price in relation to weddings. Most middle eastern countries (and some Greek) use a bride price to ensure the couple aren't being frivolous about marriage. In most of these countries, if the marriage is dissolved because of violence, then the bride price is forfeit (as Lorcan explained).
Lastly, as the Rroma are often isolated, this bridal shindig would appear to be more of a 'mixer' than a sale.
That's just my humble opinion anyway.
Reply
Sunday 07 March
By PAMELA
MARRIAGE IS FOR LOSERS
Reply
Monday 08 March
By Melissa
Hey, let's avoid the racist comments here, folk. The Roma (Gypsy) people have been persecuted in Europe for a hundred years; their unemployment rate in Eastern Europe reaches nearly a hundred percent in some countries; the children are not allowed to attend schools with white Europeans. And I don't think we needed the journalist's comments that the girls were "gussied up" and that their make-up was "caked." A real opportunity for cross-cultural understanding was missed here.
Reply
Thursday 14 October
By m amin
hi my name amin //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Reply