Something Old And Something New

I'm writing a Russian Orthodox wedding ceremony scene today (my Russian mafia heir, Nikolay, from Invisible is getting his own love story). I write contemporary romance and the blending of cultures is always tough.

I have to decide… would this couple be traditional or would this couple add American elements to the ceremony?

In this case, I'd love for the bride to be walked down the aisle by a father figure (not her father, those who have read Invisible likely know who this father figure would be). It would fit my story beautifully. Readers, not familiar with the traditional Russian Orthodox wedding ceremony, would expect and accept this scene.

The thing is…

The groom is the heir to a Russian dynasty. He would honor tradition. That means the bride and groom meet in the church vestibule for the betrothal ceremony (which happens right before the wedding ceremony). I won't call it that (too confusing). I'll end the story there. But I can't have the walking down the aisle scene.

I could have cheated (I DID give the bride-to-be an engagement ring – engagement rings no big whoop in Russian culture) but I'd know and the characters would know. They'd no longer be who I knew them to be. It isn't as much being true to the research as it is being true to the characters.

For example: If the couple consisted of modern, trendy characters, I'd have them buck tradition. The bride may not wear white. They might marry in a drive-thru chapel in Vegas. They'd write their own vows or maybe they'd mime them (I WILL write a mime romance someday, you wait and see).

But they're not so I have to figure out how to get these two crazy kids married, all while wrapping up the story the way it should be. I do love a challenge!



$

Every month, Kimber Chin gives away her favorite romance eBook read the month before. To enter, visit http://businessromance.com/