Yes, they are having their hands tied together but, no, I'm sorry it's not actually an example of marital bondage high-jinks. It's just one of a great many Slovakian wedding traditions I've come across over the past few years. In this one the Bride and Groom have to share a bowl of soup with their hands tied to encourage them to work as a team - which I think is a lovely idea:
I don't know for sure, but I suspect we have probably lost a few wedding traditions like this over the centuries which seems a shame and it's great to see them being kept alive in Europe - I won't even go into traditional German wedding games, but if you ever get the chance to go the a German wedding don't hesitate - just do it!
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