Add organization

What traditions and dishes belong to a Georgian wedding?

The wedding table, jvari bread and next-day khashi.

Answered at: Checked at:

Short answer

Georgian wedding traditions show most clearly on the table: jvari wedding bread, cheeses, walnut dishes, khachapuri and satsivi, wine, and khashi the morning after. Weddings were traditionally held in autumn, at home or in tents in the yard.

Holidays of Georgia faq-cover-holidays-and-traditions.png

Why

  1. The wedding jvari bread ("jvari" means cross) in eastern Georgia was made with milk and sugar and decorated with crosses and dough birds.
  2. Autumn offered a more varied menu, so weddings were traditionally planned for the fall.
  3. Menus vary by region, but khachapuri and satsivi appear at weddings in all regions.

Details

A wedding table always includes a cheese board, walnut-based dishes, pickles, meats, bread, fruit, sweets and wine. It is called a true royal supra. The jvari bread was started two or three days in advance.

Weddings were traditionally held in houses or in canvas tents set up in yards. The morning after, guests are certainly served khashi. On toasts see what Georgians say when toasting, on khachapuri types of khachapuri, and on the ring which hand the wedding ring goes on.

Tip

If you are invited to a wedding, come hungry: the table will be large and khashi may be served the next morning.

What may differ

Menus and rituals depend on the region and the family. Today weddings are often held in restaurants and banquet halls.

Common misconception

The wedding table is the same all over Georgia.

What actually happens

Regional menus differ, while khachapuri and satsivi appear at weddings in all regions.

People also ask

  • What is served at a Georgian wedding?

Sources

This answer is for reference. Dates and rules can change, so check the official websites.

Holidays of Georgia
Help