Holding a wedding in Uzbekistan is a difficult but amazing process that requires serious preparation, accurate negotiations and implementation of the subtleties of national mentality.

 This peculiar, long & extraordinary procedure of preparing for the main holiday begins when a boy or girl reaches adulthood. Many girls get married early, at the age of 18-19. With the onset of the most beautiful age, noticeable changes occur with youth. “It's time for wedding,” mother says, noting such changes.

 To this day, an ancient & outlandish tradition is alive in villages: if man expresses a desire to marry, he puts carrots in his father’s home shoes. This is a sign indicating readiness to begin a new life with a legitimate wife.

 Now, kin and neighbors are connected to the search for the bride. All the mahallas (districts) nearby are thoroughly searched: is there any conscientious & unmarried beauties somewhere. If such a lady is found, the future Kainana (mother of the bridegroom) with a retinue of 3-4 people go to the bride's house. All this happens unexpectedly, to catch the owners of the house by surprise and see first-hand how the girl greets guests and serves tea, as well as whether order reigns in the room, whether everything is cleaned and cooked. Sitting near the dastarkhan, guests tell each other about themselves: Sovchilar (matchmakers) “present” the groombride. If matchmakers don’t like any criteria of the bride or her family, their visits are terminated. Failures in Uzbekistan are taken with calm, without tantrums & scandals. If the bride impressed, such campaigns continue, but only aunts and close relatives of the groombride are gathered, without mother.

 The girl’s consent means endless joy, because the tuy (wedding) will take place soon! Families gather to discuss the wedding date and other details, and after prayer they give a blessing for the wedding.

 On both sides preparations begin. The bride collects her dowry: family help her, and the neighbors in mahalla sew the kurpachi (mattress).

 Another favorite & obligatory tradition is wedding pilaf. All neighbors are called to pilaf, to share the happiness of the newly-weds. “Tui oshi” is prepared according to a special recipe, starting cooking in the evening. The dish is served in the early morning, and only men are invited to it.

 On wedding day, the groom’s wedding cortege drives up to the bride’s house, and real celebration begins: the Karnays and Surnais (national uzbek musicial instruments) sound, neighbors with their children come running to see a fascinating sight. Graceful bride in white dress leaves her native house…