Aman + Raluca Wedding

A Heartfelt Romanian Orthodox Wedding in Bucharest

This beautiful wedding in Bucharest, Romania, was a true celebration of love, heritage, and tradition — brought to life through the sacred rituals of a Romanian Orthodox ceremony held in a historic local church.

The bride, of Canadian-Romanian background, and the groom, of Canadian-Indian heritage, were surrounded by approximately 100 guests — with 20 traveling from Canada and around 80 from across Romania.

The reception was held at a resort in Bucharest, where Romanian traditions took center stage. Guests were treated to warm hospitality, with delicious food served every two hours, lively music, and endless dancing that created an electric and joyous atmosphere.

A highlight of the evening was the traditional Romanian “bride kidnapping” — a playful and cherished custom where the bride is spirited away during the reception, typically by her cousins or close friends. She is taken to a nearby location, such as a lounge or bar, while the groom remains unaware — at least for a moment!

When the groom realizes the bride has gone missing, the fun truly begins. He must “negotiate” her return, often by completing lighthearted tasks that showcase his love or sense of humor. These playful challenges might include:

• Paying a symbolic ransom (like cash or a bottle of champagne)
• Singing a romantic song
• Performing a funny dance or task
• Making a heartfelt public declaration of love

The bride's return marks a joyful and laughter-filled moment, adding to the energy of the celebration. This fun-filled tradition has a delightful parallel in Indian weddings, where the bride’s sisters steal the groom’s shoes and demand a playful ransom to return them — making for a perfect cultural connection between both families.

The celebration was a wonderful reminder of how Romanian traditions are filled with heart, humor, and hospitality — creating an unforgettable experience for everyone who attended.

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The wedding and pre-wedding cruise were both amazing! The entire wedding party had an amazing time and it was so well paced with enough down time to relax and rest. The wedding itself was spectacular everything was organized so well and the fireworks show at the end was just spectacular. I would highly recommend Worldwide travel and working with Krishna specifically! - Aman Verma (Groom).

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