Beating the Drums: Why Romani orchestras herald every celebration

Romani musicians at a wedding | July 2023 | Picture by Martina Petkova

What can a wedding do without?

For the Romani, the answer is “a lot.” Roma culture is known for its elaborate weddings. The customs and rituals around a wedding are strong, strict, and ancient. However, it’s not always possible to afford a traditional wedding. So there are Roma weddings without a reception. There are weddings with a bridal dress borrowed from a cousin. There are weddings without more than most traditional customs.

But weddings without an orchestra? No. Not a single one.

If the family has very little money to spare for a wedding, they’ll spend it on the orchestra.

If they can afford a bigger wedding and have to book the venue, the cameraman, cars and transport, and countless other orders and deliveries… then the first thing they’ll book, the thing everyone else is coordinated around, is the orchestra.

Music is, for the Romani, a conduit for the Divine. They don’t have priests at their weddings. The blessi…