Traditional wedding in Bulgaria - in pictures

Weddings in Ribnovo, Bulgaria, only take place during winter. The traditional white mask worn by the bride goes back centuries

Mon 13 Jan 2014 12.56 EST Last modified on Mon 13 Jan 2014 13.59 EST

Villagers participate in a group dance on the first day of two-day wedding celebrations in Ribnovo, located in the mountains of southern Bulgaria Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
The cousin of the bride leads a group dance in the main square Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
A child is carried on the back of its grandmother Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Family and friends of the bride arrange items of her dowry outside. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
A mother and her daughters arrive at the bride's house to see items of her dowry on display Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
A Roma band leads guests to a lunch celebration Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
The bride and her groom participate in a group dance with money received from friends and relatives pinned to their clothes Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Children dance with a Roma band Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
The practice of painting the bride's face white and decorating it with sequins is called 'gelena' and is unique to Ribnovo and is a tradition going back centuries Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Bride Fatme Inus holds up a mirror as she walks with her groom to his home accompanied by family members, friends and a Roma band Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
The bride smiles after her groom carried her into his bedroom at his home towards the end of the couple's two-day wedding Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

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