OK, FIL's were over the other night and they dropped several hints about The Hora. Honestly, we are interfaith and attend a Unitarian fellowship so I was planning on not doing it. Secondly, I'm the only cousin in a huge Irish Catholic family not having bagpipers at my wedding. I didn't want to favor one side or the other and I didn't want too many announcements, dances, etc.
So how scarey is it? If I have it I'll feel obligated to do something for my family and bagpipers are no longer in the budget.
Also we really don't have that many young strong men attending. No one in their 20's as we are in our mid to late 40's
Mrs. dleeny
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
If you do the chair lifting part - it can be scary! I am not doing the chair lifting part, but we are going to play it.
I have to say though, if you're not doing the bagpipes and your traditional thing, than you shouldn't do any. IMO
shantm
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
If you think dancing the Hora is scary (basically running around in a circle), try dancing Armenian circle dances.
David'sbride
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
I've only been to two Jewish weddings and they both did the chair lift. If you don't do the chair lift you just do the circular dance right?
Wow, I'm seeming very Irish and Catholic right now?
I would ask FH but he was not raised religiously... Jewish by birth only.
octobergirl
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
I've grown up with it, so I don't think it is scary. My question for you is will the guests at your wedding know how to do it? (its not that its complicated or anything, just moving in a circle but if they hear the music would they stay standing or run to their seats!!!)--if your guests arent familiar with it they might not be into it! You certainly don't have to get put up on the chairs if you don't want to--its your day, do what makes you happy!!!
LaurenluvsTJ
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
I have never done it myself.. but I have seen it done at events and it is basically running around in a circle with the honored people being lifted in a chair... we will probably be doing it at the wedding, and some polka for my FH's polish family.
Goldi1021
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
I have been doing the hora for ages. It is not hard. Running in circles and crossing your legs with a little twist. Raising the bride and the groom is NOT the hora. 'A bride and groom are like a king and queen. Just as a king and queen are transported everywhere, likewise we lift up the bride and groom and rejoice with them.' No bowing or ring kissing though.
Also you should ask your hall if they have the chairs with handles and seat belts with rails at the bottom. The chair should also have arms so you dont slide off. It makes it easier to lift the person in the chair. This is a picture of one. Notice the handles and the rail around the bottom.(I blocked out my brother's face because I don't post pics of other people)
Well, the hora itself is not scary, but I found being lifted on the chair, both at my Bat Mitzvah and wedding terrifying! I was screaming the whole time and could barely let go of the chair for two seconds to grab on to the napkin that DH and I were supposed to hold between us. The rest of the hora is a ton of fun though!
Goldi, you make a good point about the chair. I would never even consider doing it without a chair exactly like that one.
Honestly, we don't have men on our guest list young enough to lift me up. Most people invited are at least I their mid 40's. My dress is all lace and most importantly...
What I have to do for one side I have to do for another side and I can't get bagpipers at this point.
I'm asking FH if they did it at his sisters' weddings and if not I'm not doing it.
Thanks.
Magooo221
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
Posted by shantm
If you think dancing the Hora is scary (basically running around in a circle), try dancing Armenian circle dances.
How scary is it? My fiance is Armenian...Should i be nervous??
David'sbride
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
OK. I spoke to FH. He knows they did it at one of his sister's weddings but he's not sure of the other both were over 10 years ago.
So here's what we decided:
1. We are specifically asking certain men to lift us up as most of our guests are getting up there in age.
2. We need to have those chairs or something similar that Goldi posted. Thanks girl, I'm taking that pic with me to the catering hall.
3. I'm not paying for bagpipers. I'll ask the dj to play a jig. I know I'll never here the end of it with my family but considering how I have only gotten back half of the rsvp's from my cousins and my deadline is Wed. they can kiss my 'you know what' in Macy's window.
Everyone better be on the dancefloor for both. I didn't want a lot of dances, speechs, announcements, etc.
We are now up to four dances: ours, Hora, Jig/reel, Anniversary.
May05Bride
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
Its a lot of fun!!! I think you should definately do it. Just hand pick the people that will raise your chair so they don't throw you around, and are very careful!
I have been to some Italian weddings (no one's jewish) where they did it just because it was so much fun. It really gets people on the floor.
I think you should go for it! Everyone will have fun.
PrincessRose
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
Not at all scary. I LOVE the chair lifting. And I also love to Horah.
Incidentally, Jax430's DH was one of the men who dropped my DH in our chair lift.
Jax, I'm NEVER letting Brad live that down.
lullabella
Posted:
Member since
Re: How scarey is The Hora
We are both very IRISH Catholic and they did this too us at our wedding. When my brother in law told the band to play it they were like 'they aren't jewish??' He is very italian and he said they do it at all their weddings! It was so much fuN!
I did almost fall out of the chair at one point because they were tossing me so high! It was still fuN!
