The Country

Romania is located on the northern tip of the Balkan peninsular, adjacent to the Black Sea and has Moldova, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary as neighbors.

The country of 22 million, contrary to popular believe, is the true heir of the Roman Empire, both genetically and historically. The native Romanians makes up 90% of the population while the Gypsies, Szekelys and other Eastern European immigrant accounts for the rest. Declining fertility rates and migration to more developed EU nations are affecting the country’s ability to maintain a healthy population level, a major source of concern for the country.

The national language, Romanian, is spoken by almost everyone and the Romanian Christian Orthodox Church is the principal religion, embraced by almost four fifths of the citizens.

Relationship With A Romanian Woman

Women of Romania are well known for their inbred sophistication and intelligence. With the advent of democracy and the unshackling of social barriers resulting from the 1989 Revolution, Romanian women have made great strides forward towards achieving equality with their male counterparts.

It should come as no surprise then that these women are demanding in their choice of partners. With their dark eyes, earthy sensuality and mysterious air, the daughters of the Carpathians are treasured prizes, fit only for the worthy.

Starting a relationship with them requires your total commitment as anything less would appear frivolous and dishonorable to these levelheaded women. However, in the event that you manage to win their hearts, be comforted in the knowledge that they are known for their fidelity and commitment to relationship.

Marriage

Your relationship with your Romanian girlfriend has proven to be an important part of your life and now you are thinking of taking the next step – marriage. However, you are uncertain and a trifle hesitant in making the leap. Do it, for there are only a handful of places in the world where you will experience the emotional warmth associated with marriage.

In Romania, girls as young as six years are taught to prepare for their future marriage by starting a collection for their future, stored in a trousseau (hope chest). Apart from money, jewelries and precious stones, articles of clothing is also a popular choice for their collection. Although the young girls may not understand the significance yet, mothers will keep them at it until they are mature enough to grasp the concept, for apart from providing them with the basics, the contents of the trousseau could also be used as dowry. This exercise explains the importance of marriage in the hearts of Romanian women right from their childhood.

Their weddings customs are an allegory of life itself, where basic tenets of life are replicated in elaborate customs, with colorful decorations alluding to a life of adventure and happiness. The gratitude and respect for their elders are also incorporated in the tradition handed down by their forefathers.

Commencing the marriage process must be done according to decorum. Your first step would be, in the absence of your parents, to seek the approval of your girlfriend’s parents. Form must be followed here, and the question must be asked thrice before your future in-laws provide their response. Should your proposal be accepted, the discussion would turn towards the dowry, wedding expenses and the wedding date.

On the wedding day, the bride will be dressed in an all white ensemble of skirt, shirt and apron with a red sash tied at the waist. The groom will wear the traditional brown hemp pants, shirt and coat.

The groom, accompanied by relatives (of the bride, in case he is alone), goes to the girl’s house to pick her up. The mother-in-law will wash the groom’s cheeks as a sign of acceptance. The same ritual is repeated at the groom’s house, but with the bride switching roles with the groom.

The couple then hosts a wedding reception in the community hall. The hall would be decorated to the nines, with themes of bright, vibrant colors. The food and wine will be plentiful as the reception is expected to last until dawn so the newlyweds can observe their first rising sun together. In addition, in some regions, the bride will be holding a child in her arms, symbolically alluding to the hope that their union shall be blessed with the presence of children.

The bride and the groom will then conclude the ceremony by asking the forgiveness of their parents for previous transgressions. This emotional scene will normally bring tears to the eyes of the guests, who in turn will sprinkle the newlyweds with grains and candies as they exit the reception room.

Regulation

All applications for your marriage registration are to be made at a local district Mayor’s Office, through the Department of Vital Statistics.

Copies of your identification, travelling documents, no encumbrance to marriage affidavit from your embassy (notarized translation is required for all of the documents), a health certificate (obtained from a local physician) and the marriage registration form are the compulsory documents required for your application. Be prepared to furnish additional documents, in the event it is required by the Vital Statistics Office.