As tradition stands, when the Groom arrives to take his bride to the ceremony, the Bride's father will stand outside the house and offer other women instead. The Groom will have to politely decline and negotiate with the father to get the Bride he has in mind. Through many jokes, negotiations, and laughter, the Groom will win his Bride and head over to the ceremony.
Upon arrival at the wedding venue, a plate is intentionally smashed on the floor, and the Bride and Groom are asked to sweep it up together. The Groom sweeps the pieces onto a dust pan that is held by the Bride. Their efficiency in cleaning up the pieces is said to serve as an indicator of their future marital communication and team work. Once the broken pieces are swept, the Groom carries the bride into the reception.
The Bride and Groom are offered two shots of either water or slivovica on a tray. Both are clear liquids and are hard to differentiate. Whoever gets the slivovica will be the head of the family.
When wedding guests clink their glasses, they invite the Bride and Groom to kiss in front of everyone.
Before midnight, some men will try to steal the Bride’s shoes to use them as ransom. The Groom will attempt to negotiate for them with money, alcohol, etc. At the same time, another group of friends will attempt to steal the Bride and hide her somewhere far from the wedding venue. With the help of the best man and friends, the Groom will need to find his Bride and bring her back in time for the Midnight Ceremony. However, if the Groom manages to catch and stop the stealing of the Bride before she is taken, it is a sign that the Groom will be a good and attentive husband.
“Čepčenie” is an ancient ceremonial ritual that, until the first half of the last century, was a part of every young girl’s wedding in the villages. The ritual consists of removing the Bride's headdress and replacing it with a traditional bonnet (čepiec) on the Bride’s head. “Čepiec” was only worn by married women.