VOGELHOCHZEIT (Sorbian Bird Wedding) time.
A centuries old "approaching end of winter" tradition followed by Sorbs (Wends), a western Slavic ethnic group whose homeland is in a region divided between the eastern German states of Saxony and Brandenburg, and the provinces of Lower Silesia and Lubusz in Poland.

In Kindergarten and schools, young children wearing traditional regional dress, which differs from town to town, are "Bird" Bridal Couples, with the bride a Magpie (die Elster) and her groom a Raven (der Rabe) in some areas, while the bride is a Blackbird (die Amsel) and groom a Thrush (die Drossel) in others. plus size a line wedding dresses

And wedding guests are other "birds", complete with beaks and feathers.

Here "der Bräutigam" John, is placing a ring on the wedding finger of his "Braut" Jolien.

Of course there are stories behind the custom, and here they are with a one minute peek at a "Bird's Wedding". Just click on the link: Vogelhochzeit - http://bit.ly/1B8s9Em

While this "Vogelhochzeit" song is probably one of the best known of Germany's children's songs, even with those who don't celebrate it: http://youtu.be/vFlveRou7Es?list=RD6Tx7EDQxI5E

A fun video it is just three minutes long, with text and everything from the bridal couple's coachman, choir and musicians to the chaplain and wedding guests as different species of birds. Both as they appear as illustrations, and the way they are in nature.

Photo: Patrick Pleul (dpa-Zentralbild) lr-online.de