Elīna and Mārtiņš describe their wedding not as an authentic Latvian wedding, but as an improvised and free-style wedding with folk elements. The three cornerstones on which they based their wedding were – a pre-wedding sauna, alignment and Latvian dances.

The first word in Latvian traditions – a self-evident decision

"Latvian traditions have been close to our hearts for a long time, because we both celebrate the solstice and dance Latvian dances, and we are also interested in the heritage of our ancestors, so we didn't have to think long about the fact that we want a ritual of reconciliation.

It seemed the most natural and correct way in which we wanted to become husband and wife, because neither getting married in a church nor in a registry office would have created the unforgettable feeling we wanted. In this way, we felt close to our land, ancestors and each other," admits Elīna.

The wedding day should be enjoyed, not endured

Elīna and Mārtiņš believe that the most important elements for a Latvian wedding are:

1. pre-wedding sauna;

2. Alignment of

   ;

3. and Danči, because, in their opinion, they complement each other and create a unique feeling together.

"It was also important for us that the wedding and celebration take place in nature in a free, non-stifled atmosphere.

Yes, it's a bit risky weather-wise, but that's why you need to have a plan "B" for when the weather doesn't turn out the way you want it to.

We also believe that the wedding day should be enjoyed, not endured, so we didn't want to oversaturate it with various useless activities and elements that are necessary only because it is accepted. At weddings, they usually try to keep both the young couple and the guests as busy as possible, fearing that they will not be bored, but we have come to the conclusion that people are very good at entertaining themselves, and there is no need to constantly push them to one or another activity. Sometimes less is more," the young couple is confident.

Linen dresses for a special mood

Although the couple believes that the outfits are even a very important element, you don't always need a hundred percent authentic set of outfits to get the real feeling. "We didn't wear folk clothes, but linen clothes, which we created with the idea to be both beautiful and comfortable. Linen dresses had a relaxed, light and comfortable, but at the same time, very festive feeling.

The suit has been worn hundreds of times, but a linen suit never before - you couldn't get that festive feeling in a suit if you wanted to," Mārtiņš admits.

On the other hand, the bride's dress was complemented by a belt and socks from Zemgale, because Elina's folk costume is also from Zemgale, and she wanted to complement the wedding dress, which was relatively simple, with something authentic for a more festive feeling.

Wedding night under a big fir tree

The couple believes that party music or pop music would hardly fit in a Latvian wedding, so it would be better to choose a folklore set. But one of the most special moments for both of them was the pre-wedding bath ritual, which took place the day before the wedding and lasted almost 10 hours.

"After that, we were like born again, all the pre-wedding stress, worries, thoughts about how it will be and whether the guests will like it and not be bored were gone.

We realized how silly it is to worry about all this, because it is our day and these are our relatives and friends, not strangers. And if it's good for us, it'll be good for them.

So to say - their own will understand. On the wedding day, not much happened as planned, but that did not in the least knock us out of the carefree feeling of flight, for which we say a big thank you to our great bather," Elīna and Mārtiņš say.

A funny special moment was also the fact that, due to unforeseen reasons, the young couple spent the wedding night in sleeping bags under a big fir tree. It was a warm night with a full moon, the smell of needles and the wide spruce branches swayed overhead creating a cozy feeling. That's the Latvian wedding.

PHOTO: JURďIS RIKVEILIS , GINTS FREIMANIS , GIRTS RÄGELIS , LINDA LAUVA , MIKS SCHELS , REINIS MELIORANSKIS , UGIS BRÁLĕNS