Modern traditions at a Russian wedding have much in common with the traditions of past centuries and for the most part with the habits of the Soviet era. And with a great delay, they are being transformed into modernity - by the forces of pioneers and especially independent people. I often visit Russian weddings as a photographer and according to my observations there are the following distinctive features at our weddings:

1. Most newlyweds internally resist the usual, but often no longer suitable for modern society, traditions and, in principle, do not want their wedding to take place “like everyone else”, but as a result, most often it turns out that way.

2. From birth, Russian people were taught to be responsible and aware of their own importance through the prism of the perception of others. Therefore, we are quite critical of ourselves. From here follows the main style of shooting at weddings - portrait-staged-photoshop. Reportage is somehow not particularly appreciated, while the civilized world has long preferred reportage cards, sometimes with faces and figures distorted by emotions or wide lenses.

3. Usually present at Russian weddings a large number of alcoholic beverages.

Now about everything in order.

Modern Russian wedding

The bride and groom in Russia get to know each other and decide on the wedding themselves. Sometimes it also happens that parents learn about the wedding of "children" after registration. Most often, however, all possible relatives, as well as friends on Vkontakte, and so on, know in advance about the wedding. The date of marriage registration (this strange word refers to the beginning of a life together in Russia) is planned for Russians from six months to a month in advance.

During these six months, the bride (grooms often somehow do not particularly bother with preparing for the wedding) lives in constant stress. Preparation for the wedding takes place both in a dream and in reality. You need to have time to make a list of guests, find a cafe or a catering point for a banquet, figure out where to take a walk with a photographer after registration, where to get normal shoes, what kind of ruffles will be on the dress, and so on. In this, Russian traditions are not very different from some others. In general, for some brides, the pre-wedding six months is a real madhouse.

The bride's wedding dress is traditionally white. Until the time of Catherine the Second, the dress of the bride in Russia was red. The white dress of the bride, which now symbolizes purity and purity, came from Ancient Greece- there he was a symbol of joy and prosperity. Catherine married in a white dress and thus categorically changed the Russian tradition.

The wedding day, like in any other country, begins with hair, makeup and dressing. It happens differently for everyone: the bride can do her hair and makeup in a beauty salon with a specially trained hairdresser and makeup artist, or maybe in her own room with improvised tools.

The groom needs less time and effort to prepare.

But other tests sometimes fall on him (decorate a car, get bridal bouquet etc).

Meanwhile, the bride's turmoil continues. After all, it’s not for you to buy some bouquet there (pre-selected by the bride), but you need to properly style your curls, lace up your dress and all that - these are more serious matters.

Parents and girlfriends are also involved in the preparation: they rush around the apartment, checking whether all the bottles have been transferred to the cars, whether enough sandwiches have been made for a walk, whether everything is ready for the meeting of the groom and whether he has already arrived.

And now, a car drives up, from which the groom comes out with a bouquet, and then ... the ransom begins. The procedure takes place in the entrance of the bride's house.

Redemption is perhaps the oldest tradition preserved in a Russian wedding. Its meaning is fan. The bridesmaids need to torture the groom as much as possible, ask him a bunch of stupid tasks and riddles and at the same time get a ransom from him - it can be money or some sweets that he is not sorry to give for the bride.

The bride, meanwhile, is finishing her preparations.

If she does not have time, then the groom gets more.

In the end, the groom is allowed into the house, where he still needs to find a bride. Because here they are trying to cheat him.

In the end, he finds the bride, and everyone drinks champagne on this occasion. Then a moment occurs, the roots of which have been preserved in modern times from antiquity, when the mother handed over the so-called “talisman” to the bride. It could be jewelry or some kind of family heirloom. These talismans were highly valued and were not sold under any circumstances. The bride, in turn, gave them to her daughter on her wedding day. At modern weddings, this sometimes happens too.

After that, everyone goes to the registry office - a rather official institution, from which the bride and groom are already husband and wife.

On the threshold of the registry office, other guests, relatives and friends, come to the bride and groom. It's hard to say what's going on here: meeting friends.. or saying goodbye to bachelor life). And now, at exactly the scheduled time, everyone is invited inside.

In the registry office, the newlyweds sign some document (I never looked at it, even when I signed it myself), officially agree before the official aunts (registry office workers) that they “marry” of their own free will, exchange rings, kiss - and all this in 5-10 minutes, because at this time dozens of other newlyweds are waiting for them, who want to quickly go through this part of the ceremony. The queue is another Russian tradition.

And now it's all done! Now everyone congratulates the newlyweds and goes outside to drink champagne on this occasion.

And now almost the most exhausting part of the wedding day begins (whoever is lucky with the photographer :) - a walk :)

True, there are some deviations from the above traditions. The most memorable wedding for me was in Kronstadt. There were only three of us at the wedding. When the guys left the registry office, we went to a cafe, where they took out their mobile phones and called their parents to inform them that they were now husband and wife. Up to this point, no one knew anything at all. It was cool.

Well, in the end, the tired newlyweds and the photographer go to a cafe, where relatives and friends who did not participate in the walk are already waiting for them.

Young people are met in a cafe and sprinkled with cereals and coins, which symbolizes wealth and prosperity. They can also sprinkle sweets (so that life is sweet) and all kinds of sparkles (so that everything is bright and romantic).

Then the parents of the young present them with a loaf. This is also an old Russian tradition - from the loaf, the newly-made husband and wife simultaneously bite off a piece - whoever has a larger piece will allegedly dominate in life together. It's kind of a sign. And then the feast begins.

To begin with, guests open bottles of alcohol and drink on this occasion. Then they shout “Bitterly” and the young, who are already insanely tired and hungry, should put down their spoons and forks, stand up and kiss.

Starting from the arrival at the cafe, the wedding script completely passes into the hands of one person - the toastmaster. This is also an ancient tradition, in some way transformed into modernity. Previously, a friend was always chosen for a wedding. It had to be a wise and at the same time a cheerful person (healer, elder of the family). Druzhka was present at the wedding from the very beginning and was considered the main director and controller of this event. He monitored the observance of all rituals and supported the fun among the guests. In ancient times, theatrical elements were present at the wedding - they were also led by a friend. Now all this has been transformed, and the following remains:

1. Druzhka is now called "master of ceremonies" and begins to lead only at the moment when tired and hungry guests and newlyweds come to the cafe and sit down at the tables.

2. Theatrical elements most often come down to dressing especially active guests (most often men dress as women, and women as men), who manage to play several roles of an incomprehensible purpose during the feast.

3. Tamada clearly distributes the time for raising toasts and shouting “Bitterly” - most often this happens with a frequency of once every 5-10 minutes. Between the toasts, there is also a strictly distributed toastmaster giving gifts to guests interspersed with reading wishes, most often written in poetic form on postcards specially purchased for this.

4. By the time the celebration begins, guests and newlyweds are quite tired and hungry, and most often they think mainly about the meal, from which they are constantly distracted. Therefore, the saturation process is delayed and lasts almost until the end of the party.

5. In the conduct of the toastmaster, the same special Russian officiality and excessive "responsibility" are most often felt. Therefore, the feast can be conditionally divided into two parts: the “meal” especially loved by the guests and the not entirely clear, but traditional “official part”. Both parts are mixed with general fun and as a result everything turns out to be quite funny and festive.

Previously, the wedding celebration lasted three days. The second day was spent in the parents' house, and on the third day the guests came to the young people's house. It is difficult to say exactly when these days were reduced to one - partly it happened during the times of the USSR (people were busy with work), partly during the post-perestroika crisis - when even one day of the holiday was too expensive for young people and their parents.

Wedding traditions and customs of the Russian people are deeply rooted. Ever since historical times, people have honored all the rules, the founders of which were the ancestors of the Russian people, and adhered to them.

Thanks to this, many of them have survived to the present. But not many newlyweds and even their parents know their essence. Despite this, it is the long-standing traditional actions that make the wedding celebration touching, original and unforgettable. More details about them will be discussed later.

Russian wedding is a whole list of different rules, taking into account all kinds of signs for the bride and groom: these are numerous wedding ceremonies, and the second day of the event, which is organized by the groom's parents, and many more nuances. Moreover, in ancient times, all of them were observed strictly.

Matchmaking

Before going directly to the wedding, in ancient times it was necessary to go through many more traditional actions. It was impossible to imagine that young people got married without preliminary procedure matchmaking.

First, the young man sent matchmakers to the girl, who conspired with the bride's parents and resolved various issues related to marriage. Today this tradition is known, but almost not observed. Except in a humorous way.

And all the main points about the date of the celebration and other little things, the newlyweds decide on their own. In ancient times, the groom could not come to the matchmaking with anything - the engagement ring had to be prepared. Often, parents agreed in advance about matchmaking and pairing children into a couple.

But according to custom, it was believed that the wedding would take place only if the girl accepted the ring from young man.

If a guy came without a ring, then the parents concluded that he would not be able to provide for his family in the future.

If the matchmaking ended with a positive decision, then the parents had to perform the rite of blessing. In ancient times, it was held only in the temple with the use of icons, towels and bread and salt.

In the case when young people agreed among themselves about the wedding, and their parents did not like their choice, they might not receive the blessing of the latter. The youth had to obey.

Otherwise, there was a risk of a complete rupture of relations with parents for disobedience.

Engagement

After the matchmaking had passed, the next step was to conduct an agreement or, in other words, “hand-beating”. During this event, all participants of the event discussed all the moments of preparation and holding of the wedding.

It was from this day that all joint actions began, and it became known as the engagement. The engagement was considered an important day in the development of relationships between young people. From that moment on, some commitments were made. On this day, in public, a young man made marriage proposals to a girl.

But first of all, he turned to the father of the bride. And only after his approval, the groom could apply directly to his chosen one. After an affirmative answer, the guy handed her a ring, which was worn on the ring finger of her right hand until the wedding celebration. The engagement was celebrated quite solemnly. All worries relied mainly on the bride's family.

A chic table was laid, the heroes of the occasion and all the guests put on elegant clothes. It was the father of the bride who sat in the center of the feast.

He always retained the right of the first word and parting words. Then the guests approached the young people in turn and said congratulations.

In village families, the engagement gradually developed into a noisy event with songs and dances. Among wealthy people, balls were traditionally organized on this day, to which a huge number of guests were invited.

In ancient times, the engagement was held at least 3-6 months before the wedding. In this way, young people were given time to think about their decision and test their feelings. Another reason for such a long period was the allocation of the necessary period of time to organize the wedding and conduct preparatory activities.

For some time, the tradition of the engagement was forgotten, but recently some newlyweds are increasingly turning to this moment.

Wedding preparations

So, the engagement has passed, the wedding date has been set, and therefore the time has come to prepare for the wedding.

dowry

After collusion and engagement, the bride began to prepare the dowry. Basically, the girl did this on her own, but if the deadlines were running out, then all the women in the house came to the rescue: mother, sisters, bridesmaids. The composition of the dowry differed depending on the wealth of the families and their status.

The list of dowries usually included several dresses, fur coats, dishes, bed linen, blankets and bedspreads, carpets, fur coats, and more. In addition to her dowry, the girl also needed to prepare wedding attributes:

• an embroidered towel used for blessing;
• embroidered shirt for the groom, which he wore at the wedding.

After the wedding celebration, the embroidered towel was kept in the new family and was a talisman against sorrows and bad weather.

Outfit

The bride's wedding attire was significantly different from the one that is customary to see at modern celebrations. The white wedding dress came to Russia from Europe.

And in ancient times, the bride dressed in a red sundress, symbolizing happy marriage and large offspring. And the white color was attributed to misfortune and sadness.

Now about the veil. This element wedding dress had the right to wear a girl who married for the first time. Such a bride had to keep her veil on throughout the entire wedding. The veil is a symbol of innocence. In many cases, it was replaced by a translucent shawl.

The shawl was a protection for the bride from evil spirits that could not see her under it. She had to leave in it parental home and do not take it off until the wedding ceremony.

Wedding rings

The tradition of wearing wedding rings also appeared a long time ago. And they had certain requirements.

The main one was that their surface should be absolutely smooth. In the engagement ring, the presence of a stone is welcome, preferably a diamond. Wedding attributes should not contain any pattern or stones.

It was believed that all these moments will attract misfortunes, troubles and other unpleasant moments in family life.

groom worries

The groom also had worries. He prepared for the wedding in his own way. Of course, not so many worries were imposed on the young man as on the newlywed. His main task was to organize a wedding bouquet for his chosen one.

It is now possible to easily use the services of florists, and earlier the front gardens of relatives and neighbors came to the rescue. It should be noted that none of them could refuse the request of the groom.

According to tradition, on the wedding day, the guy presented a bouquet to the bride, and she had to choose the most beautiful flower and attach it to the groom's shirt. This moment is the prototype of the bridal boutonniere in modern times. Today it is prepared in advance and often not from fresh flowers. The young man also had to think about the wedding cortege. Previously, it had the name "solemn wedding train". It was attended by all relatives and guests from the groom's side.

The exception was his parents. They had to stay in the house and finish all the preparations for the holiday.

Bachelorette and bachelor party

Two more events took place immediately three days before the wedding. The brides organized a bachelorette party, and the groom organized a stag party.

At the present time, the bachelorette party takes place in the form of a fun party, at which the bridesmaids give the bride all sorts of trinkets. In ancient times, things were different. The newly-made bride gathered all the girls of the village, friends and relatives.

Be sure to invite vytnitsa, who sang martyr songs. The girl at that time wept bitterly, saying goodbye to her youth, carefree life, to her parental home.

The sobbing of the bride at the bachelorette party was obligatory - otherwise, an unhappy life in marriage awaited her.

After the rite of sobbing, all those present were invited to the table. Everyone drank, ate and continued to cry. The bride gave each guest two belts. The event ended with songs.

If a girl was allowed to leave the house, then in the summer they went to the field in a crowd, picked flowers, knitted wreaths. All these actions were accompanied by songs. IN winter time- riding a sled. At the end of the bachelorette party, the bride with her friends went to the bathhouse, where she was washed and prepared for the upcoming wedding.

The groom's bachelor party was the absolute opposite: he spent it all alone, had to be in the bathhouse from evening to morning and be silent.

Holding a celebration

Finally, the day of celebration arrived, and on this day it was necessary to observe every action exactly. It all started with the sunrise. The newly-made bride needed to read spells from all kinds of evil eye in the house of her future husband.

Bride ransom

The next tradition, which has survived to this day, is the ransom of the newlywed.

At the moment when the young man came for his betrothed, various tests were prepared for him. Only after all the tasks were completed, he could take the bride. The whole process was fun.

The participants were all relatives from the side of the bride, who blocked the way for the groom even at the entrance to the village. The next stage was at the courtyard gate. If a young man could not cope with the task, then he had to pay with money. Of course, the task was not to ruin the groom. Everything was symbolic. Moreover, at all stages it was allowed to help the groom's friend.

After the groom took the bride, everyone together went to the wedding in the temple.

celebration

After the church, the newlyweds went to the groom's house, where the festivities took place.

On the threshold of the house of the newlyweds, the mother of the newlyweds met. She showered the couple with wheat and oats to family life there was prosperity and prosperity. Then they were treated to bread and salt.

Loaf or bread was baked at home. This was done directly by the parents. Previously, there was a tradition of divination by a broken piece of bread. It has survived to this day. In general, a lot of fortune-telling was made at the wedding celebration.

In particular, who will be born first, a boy or a girl, or how young people will manage their budget.

Present

One of the pleasant traditions at the wedding is gifting the young. In those days, it was customary to give the following gifts:

• rich white towels, decorated with fringes;
• lashing the husband so that the wife knows her place;
• various kinds of kitchen utensils;
• crockery and souvenirs made of porcelain and crystal.

In the past, it was customary to give gifts not only to the newlyweds, but also to their parents. The festive wedding table spoke directly about the status of the groom. If he was from a wealthy family, then the table was chic. It always had meat dishes, fresh products, wines of different varieties, various pickles.

Spouse of poor family set the table more modestly.

The wedding night

The celebration ended with the farewell of the young to rest. The location of the wedding night was kept secret.

It could be a hayloft, a bathhouse and even a barn. This was done so that unkind people could not jinx the sleeping place of the newlyweds.

The bed was to be prepared by a person who did not envy the bride and mentally wished her well and happiness. That is why the mother of the bride did it. It should be noted that the echoes of the tradition of not spending the night at home on the wedding night have reached the present.

Many newlyweds try to spend their wedding night in a hotel, on a yacht or in another suitable place.

After wedding

After the wedding night, the newlyweds performed the following ritual: they carried the newlywed into the house in their arms. In this way, he tried to deceive the brownie - this is not a stranger, but the mistress of the house.

Young people during the wedding took an oath of eternal love and fidelity. According to tradition, it was during the wedding that their first kiss took place. And then, throughout life, hand in hand, strong love and deep respect for each other appeared.

After a while, knowledgeable people assessed whether everything was done correctly during the wedding ritual. If the young family lived happily and in abundance, then there were no violations. The dress in which the young wife was at the wedding, she kept in her chest and fished it out only to pass it on to her heiress when the time came. But this was not a panacea.

A girl could prepare a completely new wedding dress and not wear her mother's.

As you can see, the ancestors had quite interesting customs and traditions, many of which have survived to this day, although somewhat in a distorted form. Of course, the goal is not to oblige the newlyweds to strictly follow the traditions that were like a law for great-grandparents. But you need to remember them in order to preserve the history and customs of your people.

This video shows how a wedding was held in Russia with the rites and traditions of the Russian people:

But if there is a desire to apply this or that custom, then it is necessary to study it thoroughly so that no incident occurs.

At the present time, newlyweds are trying to hold their wedding using any theme, while completely forgetting the traditions of their people and omitting the traditional component of this event. I would like everything in the life of each of the young to happen exactly the opposite. After all, who, if not young people, should preserve the culture and traditions of their people? Or do you think the procedure for holding a wedding with traditions and customs inherited from the ancestors is outdated and unacceptable at a modern celebration?

Today, a wedding is considered primarily a family event, taking place in a close circle of close people. In the old days when villages mostly consisted of relatives, almost all residents became participants in the celebration. The wedding usually lasted for several days. No wonder then they said - not "celebrating", but "playing a wedding". The wedding was really played as a kind of theatrical performance.

The wedding consisted of many episodes, each of which had its own participants who performed strictly defined roles. Any action or event of the wedding ritual had a special meaning and repeated from generation to generation. It was believed that deviation from the established order will bring great trouble not only for the newlyweds, but also for other participants in the wedding.

Distinguished by great diversity and many regional features, the Russian wedding retained an obligatory structure common to all places. The main episodes of the wedding ceremony were considered:

1. matchmaking,
2. handshake,
3. collusion,
4. hen-party,
5. bachelor party,
6. bath,
7. the morning before the wedding
8. wedding,
9. young people meeting
10. wedding tables.

The wedding began with the matchmaking. Matchmakers came to the house of the bride's parents and agreed on a future marriage. If the parties reach an agreement, the day was set. Then the groom's parents came to the bride's house. They were treated and welcomed as future relatives.

The groom's parents brought to the bride's house a special round-shaped gingerbread (similar to the sun), on which using carved wood planks symbolic patterns were imprinted - squares with a dot in the middle, circles, wavy and straight lines (ancient signs of fertility).

collusive gingerbread was a symbolic parting word to the bride - she was supposed to become a good housewife and a prolific mother. Initially, instead of a gingerbread, they brought a bread loaf, specially baked for the day of the conspiracy. Gradually, the loaf was replaced with gingerbread, which kept fresher longer. Guests were also treated to gingerbread after the wedding.

In addition to collusive gingerbread, the groom's parents also prepared all kinds of baked goods for collusion - bread, pancakes, kulebyaki. The bride's parents must kurnik was served to the table - a closed pie stuffed with chicken meat. He symbolized the wealth and purity of the bride, because in the songs performed during the conspiracy, the girl was compared to a chicken.

The bride did not take part in the feast. She went out to the guests several times (usually from three to five), and each time she changed outfits. Only after that she could sit down with everyone at the table. The bridesmaids ended with a special ritual - a handshake. The fathers of the bride and groom joined the hands of the newlyweds and hit them with a mitten.

Sometimes, during the handshake, the fathers of the bride and groom beat the pie on the pie or broke the pie in half as a sign of the inviolability of the agreement. Then the matchmaker three times carried around the hands of the bride and groom bread with salt and icon. She, as it were, blessed the future union on behalf of the forces of heaven and earth.

Since that time, the families of the bride and groom were one family, all expenses for preparing for the wedding were divided in half. After a mutual treat the wedding could no longer be cancelled. Usually, during the conspiracy, the date of the wedding in the church was determined.

After performing the ritual of rubbing the girl, who became the bride, called collusion. Becoming a bride, the girl changed into a special outfit, the so-called "sad" clothes. She put on a black or white shirt, not decorated with embroidery, tied a simple white or dark scarf around her head. Usually it was tied with a "cuckoo" (in a frown), so that the upper part of the face was covered.

The bride had to wear a scarf until the very day of the wedding, often without taking it off even during sleep.

Until the day of the wedding, the bride, as a rule, did not appear in public. Together with her friends, she was engaged in the preparation of the dowry. Usually the dowry was sewn long before the wedding, now it was being prepared for moving, decorated with embroidery and packed in chests. The dowry included things that a woman had to wear in the first years after marriage. The daughter-in-law brought bedding, several tablecloths, towels, bedspreads for chests to her husband's house. The dowry also included pieces of cloth, from which clothes for children were later sewn.

While working, the bride and her friends lamented. In chorus or replacing each other, they uttered parables or sang songs. The parables helped to express a complex range of feelings and cope with natural excitement.

God bless
Lord, Mother of God, Mother of God,
I sing to the young
sad song,
Not with fun, with joy,
From sorrow, from greatness,
With pity, with pity,
With burning tears.

In the first lament the bride asked her father not to marry her. She said that her parents sent her to a strange family early, that she would feel bad on a strange side. Usually the groom's house was compared with a dark forest, and his family - with animals. During the lamentation, the bride sat down near the stove pillar, on the border of the male and female parts of the hut, since she alternately turned to her father, then to her mother:

Do not light the candles of God,
You are a dear father
Don't go to the oak table
Don't take the golden spell
Don't drink green wine.
You don't drink green wine
You are mine, then you drink burning tears,
Drinking away my wild head
With good maiden beauty.

Well, the Lord is with you, mother,
And my dear mother,
And welcome brothers falcons.
And the doves of the bride!
They did not obey the command of the strong -
You entrusted the red girl
For bail, for strong ones,
For letters that are eternal.

Father never responded to lamentations, and mother spoke her reply. In it, she reassured her daughter, saying that she would never forget her and would help after marriage:

You are born, my child,
We've got it all done
Things have been hit on the hands.
On Saturday, a bachelorette party
On Sunday - parting day:
Separate you from your friends
Soulful doves.

Maternal lamentation always ended with a kind of parting word. The mother told the bride how to respect mother-in-law and father-in-law how to treat your husband. In maternal lamentations, the mother-in-law always acted as a villain, who should be treated respectfully and even cautiously. The last lines of the lament contained advice to the bride to be quiet and meek..

Almost every day after the handshake, the bride was visited by relatives and the groom. The bride received them in a kut, a small room behind the stove. She met everyone who came with a reckoning, only women answered her, uttering a response reclamation. If she had no parents, she turned to her brother:

Like a brother, my falcon,
You go to the village of Pavlovo,
You tell the church watchman
Like hitting a big bell
Yes, I would crush the mother-cheese earth,
I would wake up my mother!

Future relatives said that they would accept the girl as their own. The groom was compared to a falcon gently circling around his dove. The young man presented the bride with various delicacies. Accepting the treat, the bride gave it to her friends and, in turn, passed the pie with the groom's initials to the future relatives.

Usually, along with the dowry, the bride and her friends prepared gifts that she was supposed to offer to all members of the groom's family. The work did not stop until the wedding. When the gifts and the dowry itself were ready, a bachelorette party was held in the bride's house. It took place on the eve of the wedding. After the bachelorette party, the bride began to be called a young woman.

The culminating moment of the bachelorette party was the ritual of loss of beauty (will). It began after the completion of the bachelorette party, when only the closest friends remained with the bride. They seated the bride in the middle of the hut on an empty bowl covered with a fur coat.

Singing a long song, the girls took off the scarf from the bride, worn during the conspiracy, and untwisted the girl's braid. Russian girls traditionally braided their hair in one long braid. A married woman wore a more elaborate hairstyle, consisting of two braids, which were laid in a bun at the back of the head.

unraveling the braid, girlfriends took out “will” from their hair - a ribbon, which symbolized girlish beauty and freedom. Most often, after the completion of the ceremony, the ribbon was passed younger sister bride. If the girl did not have a sister, the will passed to the closest unmarried friend of the bride.

After unweaving the braid and removing the will, the bride walked with her friends to the pre-heated bathhouse. The girl was invited there with a special song:

You go, dear friend,
You wash the beauty of a girl,
What is your will.

To protect the bride from evil spirits, her friends carried a broom decorated with ribbons in front of her. Sometimes the broom was untwisted, and the rods taken out of it were stuck along the path along which the bride went to the bathhouse. Approaching the bath, the bride always addressed her with a special treatment. She asked so that the bath does not wash off her beauty. Before entering the bath or immediately after washing, the bride would guess to find out the future. Usually she threw a broom over her shoulder, sometimes she threw it on the roof. If the broom fell with rods to the bride, then it was believed that she would successfully marry.

The bride who came out of the bath father and mother met at the door of the house. The father held an icon in his hands, with which he blessed his daughter. At the same time, he wished her a successful marriage. In response, the daughter thanked her father and friends, at the end of the recital, she again turned to the bathhouse, thanking her for not washing away the girlish beauty.

Entering the house, the bride again sat down on the empty sourdough. The girls began to comb the bride's hair. Now the braid was no longer braided, but only a few strands were prepared. According to custom the bride was supposed to walk down the aisle with her hair down. Only when she arrived at the groom's house, she went into the room, where they braided two braids for her, laid them on her head and put on a women's headdress.

Combing hair was accompanied by a kind of dialogue. The bride turned to her friends, parents, dead ancestors. Motives of separation and fear before the future gradually gave way to other requests. In them, the bride asked to wish her every well-being, begged her ancestors to protect her and promised to honor them after the wedding.

The friends also responded to the bride with hymns and songs in which they regretted parting and asked the bride not to forget them. They also admonished the bride: they begged her to remain as beautiful and kind, love your future husband.

After combing the bride's hair, her friends seated her at the table, where a treat was prepared. Usually at this time the groom came. He brought gifts to the bride, her parents and friends. In turn, the bride passed on pre-prepared gifts to the groom and his relatives. When the groom left, the girls said goodbye to the bride and sang her the last song.
The next morning, the bride dressed for the wedding, but did not braid her hair, leaving combed strands. The mood of the bride was reflected in the song:

Doesn't the little bird sing early in the morning,
Isn't the girl crying about the blond braid,
In the evening, the girls wove her scarf,
Yes, the girls wove!
They divided the scarf into six shares,
Yes, six shares!
They put her scarf over her head,
Here you are, yes a scarf, yes lie down for a century,
And you girlfriend, you can’t be girls.

On the morning of the wedding day, one of the groom's relatives, usually his older brother, came to the bride. He brought a gift and left with a return gift. Only after that the groom came for the bride. He stopped in front of a locked gate. Bridesmaids refused to open the gates and demanded gifts. The groom gave money to one of the girls, and the gates opened. Sometimes, instead of the groom, the conversation with the bridesmaids was conducted by the boyfriend.

Having received a comic ransom, the bride was shown to the groom, and they boarded the wedding train. It consisted of several wagons decorated with ribbons and bells. Mares were never harnessed to wedding carts. It was believed that only horses, animals symbolizing the elemental force of nature, could carry the newlyweds.

In the first wagon, friends always rode, in the second - the bride with the godmother or matchmaker. The groom was in the third wagon, followed by all the other relatives and guests.

In the church, the priest conducted the wedding ceremony. The ceremony did not take place during fasting, Christmas time, Easter week, as well as on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

For a long time there was no marriage ceremony at all in the Christian church. Apparently, the too clear connection of marriage with the “carnal” side of human life prevented its conclusion from becoming the subject of the corresponding sacrament. It was only when the number of members of the Christian communities increased that the appropriate service was drawn up. The rite of baptism served as a model for her.

Traditionally wedding ceremony consists of two parts- engagements and weddings. During the betrothal, the priest asks the bride and groom if they are ready to marry. Having received affirmative answers, he puts on them pre-consecrated rings, with which the bride and groom change three times.

The wedding ceremony begins with the priest puts wedding candles into the hands of young people. They must burn while the sacrament is performed. The bride and groom approach the altar and stand on a white cloth spread out in front of the lectern, on which are the cross and the Gospel. The priest again asks about the intentions of the spouses. Having received confirmation of the intention to marry, the priest, with a blessing, places crowns on the heads of the bride and groom.

Then the wedding couples drink wine from one cup, to the chants the priest circles them three times around the lectern. The crowns are removed, and the final prayers are read over the young. Like all mysteries, the wedding ended with the joint acceptance of Holy Communion.

After the wedding, the bride travels with the groom. Arriving from the church to the groom's house, the guests took their places wedding table. The young were planted in the red corner, under the icons. They accept congratulations and greetings, but cannot participate in the general feast.

After some time, the young go to the upper room or kut, where special food was prepared for them. Most often, they were served two pies, one of which was baked in the bride's house, and the other in the groom's house. The young man fed his wife with a pie brought from his home, and she fed her husband with her pie.

After eating, the bride went to her room and changed into women's clothes. She put on a shirt, over it a sundress with wide straps, her friends braided two braids for her and laid them on her head. Finally the bride wore a kiku and covered it with a scarf - the headdress of a married woman.

Then the bride went out to the guests and, together with the groom, sat down at a common table. At first, the newlyweds were served porridge and bread, as well as a glass of milk. They had to drink from one glass, eat with one spoon from one dish, bite off from one piece of bread or pie. It was assumed that common food will unite the young forever. Then the young people took part in the general fun. The central figure at the feast was a friend, he supported those who made toasts and filled the pauses with his own jokes and jokes.

During the feast, the wife and husband were seated in a red corner. The rest of the relatives were seated in two rows, and men on one side, women on the other. A treat was brought to the table, usually a wedding cake, which was handed out by a friend. Then hot and fried dishes were served. It was believed that freshly cooked hot food conveys the fertile power of fire to the young.

Bridesmaids and women sang praise songs in which the young were called the prince and princess, the sun and the dove, the moon and the sun. First addressed to the groom:

Our prince is pretty
Our prince is handsome,
That Ivan Vasilievich,
You are not sitting in the garden
You are not in green
At the oak table
Behind the tablecloths,
For sugar rice.
All not nightingales sing.
Here all the girls sing
The souls of the red singer,
They want gifts from you
Great ones from you.

Then they sang the praise not. news:

And how good, and how good
Her face, her face
Like white snow, like white snow
She has cheeks, she has cheeks,
Like scarlet, like scarlet
She has eyebrows, she has eyebrows
Black sable, black sable,
Her eyes, her eyes,
At the clear falcon, at the clear falcon,
It was nice, it was nice
Nicephorus has a daughter, Nicephorus has a daughter,
At Leontievich, at Leontievich.

After the young, they called their parents and other relatives, including a friend. When the feast ended the young were escorted to the bedroom with the singing of observant songs (for example, “Hey, Nastasya, hey, Nastasya, open the gate”).

In the morning of the young woke up with loud shouts, knocks on the door, even shots of their guns. Sometimes pots were broken in front of their door. Thus, over time, the expression “dishes beats fortunately” appeared.

The main feast - the red table - began the next day. Only married women prepared food for him. They were helped by a young woman.

On the third day, the bride went out to the guests in ordinary everyday clothes. When the young woman entered the room, straw, rubbish, and sometimes money were thrown on the floor. She had to sweep the floor and in the direction from the door to the stove. In the old days they believed that the rite would protect new family from hostile actions on the part of the brownie.

During breakfast, a “soft table” was arranged. The groom's mother carried out a pot of porridge and pretended to lament: "Oh, it's hot, it's hot!" The bride was supposed to take the pot from her hands, blow on it and give mother-in-law a handkerchief so that she could take the pot in her hands. From that moment on, the daughter-in-law was considered a full member of the family and took part in all household chores.

Usually on the third day, the young people came to the house of the bride's parents. The mother-in-law went out to meet her son-in-law with pancakes. He had to bite off a piece of the top pancake and give his mother-in-law a present for her concern.

The wedding ritual often ended casings - a ritual feast. The married women of the village accepted the young woman into their society. They treated her to wine and jelly.

At all times and among all peoples, the wedding was given an important ritual and esoteric significance. Therefore, various rituals and customs were born and passed through the generations. Russian weddings were also full of very bright and specific ceremonies.

Of course, today the Russian wedding is significantly different from the one that was several centuries ago, but still the main traditions that distinguish the Russian wedding from all the others have survived to this day.

It has long been believed that a wedding is not just a holiday, but a complex of events that follow each other. The most important rituals were matchmaking, then there was an agreement and a bachelorette party, then a wedding, and everything ended with a wedding feast.

This is, simply put, negotiations between the parents of the newlyweds, when the groom asks for the hand of his beloved from her parents. Matchmakers should be relatives or God-parents groom.

Before setting a wedding date, the matchmakers should visit the bride's family and talk to her parents. Those, in turn, will agree or refuse the offer.

Now at matchmaking, you can discuss not only the girl’s consent to marriage, but also discuss the details of the wedding, the exact date and the financial side of the issue. But earlier these issues were resolved at the second stage of the wedding ceremony, which was called conspiracy.

After setting the wedding date, the guy and the girl had one more day before the wedding when they had to say goodbye to their free position. A bachelorette party was arranged for the bride, she called all her girlfriends to it.

This ceremony was a symbol of farewell to girlhood and entry into married life. The bride was supposed to let her hair down that day, and give the woven ribbons to her friends.

A similar ceremony was for the groom, he was called a young man. The guy said goodbye to his bachelorhood and prepared to fulfill the duty of the head of the family. The youth party could be attended not only by the groom's friends, but also by his parents. After that, the groom went to his bride in the morning with gifts.

On the day of the wedding, the young couple arrived at the church separately, and the ceremony in Orthodox Church a marriage was concluded between lovers and their souls were fastened into one. At the wedding, a prayer was read, the newlyweds gave their consent and exchanged rings.

A wedding crown was placed on their heads. So that there would always be well-being in the family of the young, they spread a white cloth in front of the church, threw grain, money and sweets under their feet.

There is a sign: whoever steps on the white cloth first, he will dominate.

After the wedding ceremony, all the guests went to the wedding feast at the parents' house, where the wedding night also took place.

Since in Russia people were fed by the earth, everything connected with it was part of the traditions of the life of a Russian person. This was true for the wedding as well. One of the important rituals was the meeting of a young couple from under the crown with bread and salt at the groom's house, where after the wedding the young newly-made husband brought the young.

Bread in Orthodoxy symbolizes prosperity, and salt - the land on which wheat grows. The newlyweds must take a bite from the common loaf so that they have unity in life, then the mother-in-law circles them around the tub used for kneading dough for bread.

So, the mother-in-law takes out bread and salt on a tray and offers to taste “the bread of the world and the salt of the earth”; mother-in-law blesses a loving couple with an icon. Usually this is an image of the patron of the family (family icon), but if there is none, then it can be any saint.

The father-in-law passes a tray with two glasses, and the father-in-law solemnly greets the daughter-in-law in a new family or hands her a letter stating that she has been accepted into the family.

Only now the newlyweds enter the house, where they are showered with "rain" of grain and hops - for a prosperous life, which again echoes the cult of agriculture.

Wedding towels

To comply wedding tradition five towels are required.

The first, with the inscription "bread and salt", is needed for the loaf with which the young will be met by parents after the marriage.

The second, with the inscription "advice and love", is traditionally placed in front of the newlyweds by witnesses in the registry office, whoever steps on it first will be the head of the family, says folk wisdom.

The third and fourth should be with the inscriptions "Save and Save", on these two towels the parents hold icons with which they give a blessing to create their family.

And the fifth, the last - with the inscription "together forever." According to tradition, the father, after the conclusion of the marriage union, bandages the hands of the young and helps them take their first family steps. As then they will go hand in hand, so they must go through life!

Another strong and rather beautiful tradition came from England: “old, new, borrowed, blue”. Like bread and salt, this is a purely esoteric rite, only more detailed.

• By "old" is meant a family jewel, symbolizing peace and wisdom in the family.
• "New" brings success in a new life.
• You need to borrow something exclusively from a married, happily married woman in order to take over a piece of her success.

Well, “blue” is a pagan sign that has survived to this day, meaning modesty and fidelity. So it turns out a kind of "set of the bride" for a full-fledged married life.

Cones and boxes

Cones are cone-shaped buns decorated with pigtails, the external resemblance gave them such a name. It is customary to give such small gifts to guests who leave the wedding as a token of gratitude for their visit to the celebration.

Previously, at weddings, there was a huge wicker basket in which these buns lay, and everyone who left just took a bump there.

But over time, small standard boxes made from ordinary cardboard were invented. After all, it is much more practical to carry a sweet, sticky bun in such a beautiful box and more hygienic.

Origins of the custom

One of the most fun and spectacular Russian wedding traditions is the ransom of the bride. Very often it is confused with the Caucasian kidnapping of the bride and the payment of "kalym". But in reality, the ransom of the bride is an exclusively Russian tradition, which has no analogues among other peoples.

As for the kalym, this is a kind of "pledge" of the groom, which he gives either to the bride herself or to her relatives in case family life does not work out.

For example, in Iran, a specific amount is stipulated that the bride will receive in the event of a divorce. Among other peoples, kalym is not so modern, but it has the same function.

Well, kidnapping is something like proof of how much the groom loves his chosen one. Indeed, in the Caucasus one could pay for this with one's life, and the abduction was considered a brave step. True, in modern times this tradition has been very deformed.

As for the ransom of the bride, this rite dates back to the time when people lived in warring tribes. Despite complex relationships, intertribal marriages were almost the main type of union.

This was done in order to prevent incest, but since the tribe that gave the bride also wanted to get some benefit, that's what demanded what today has come to be called "ransom".

With the formation of Russia, the tradition changed, and the "ransom" began to be used as evidence of the seriousness of the groom's intentions.

How was the ransom ceremony

To begin with, the entrances to the house are blocked with a log, and while the bridegroom is giving the bride's relatives wine to drink, future husband must cut through the obstacle, thereby showing his strength.

Already approaching the house, the groom rests against the closed gate and, together with his friends, begins to knock and swing the gates, pretending that he is going to break into the yard. This demonstrates perseverance and militancy - such necessary qualities for a man at all times.

Then, when the relatives open the gate, one of the "respectable" men makes riddles to the groom in order to test for ingenuity. Having received the correct answers, the groom is let in, but in order to get into the house, he needs to “pay” the children with sweets - this is how his generosity is tested.

And only inside the house the groom passes the most important test: the girls are sitting on the bench, covered with identical scarves, and the groom needs to find his bride.

He walks for a long time, carefully looking at each, and determines the narrowed by the shoulders, height, leg size. By this, the groom shows how much he loves his betrothed.

Not only girls, but also old women are involved as fake brides. Therefore, if the guy chooses her, the wedding will not be canceled, but the fun over him will not stop throughout the entire wedding.

After that, the groom must sit down at the table, in the "princely place", but it is already occupied by one of the girl's relatives, and he has to pay in money.

The organization of the whole action, as a rule, is carried out by a witness with a witness, but maybe the groom himself and his friends. It is necessary to redeem the future wife from the girl's friends, sometimes from her relatives, and neighbors can also be added to the process. There are no specific restrictions in the tradition.

They redeem the bride with money, sweets, flowers, vodka and champagne - everything depends on the wishes of those who keep the bride.

But it is better for the groom to stock up on everything necessary in sufficient quantities. This ritual determines both generosity and the ability not to overpay, that is, everything that may be needed in future family life.

Traditional wedding feast

There was a lot of food and drink on the basement tables, songs were sung, toasts were raised to the health of the young. During the celebration, the bride walked along the table and treated the guests to drinks, and they, in turn, could pay her and kiss her.

From here came the custom at the wedding to shout "Bitterly." After all, as a rule, the bride wore vodka, and after the guest drank for her health, she removed the bitterness with a kiss. Over time, this tradition has changed and now the word "Bitter!" the guests demand a kiss from the newlyweds.

At the end of the feast, a birthday cake was brought in. It must also be cut according to tradition. The groom takes a knife with both hands, and the bride puts her hand on top and helps to make the first cut. Thus, she promises her betrothed in her married life to always be there and help him.

And after the wedding feast, the newlyweds retired to the bedroom, and the wedding night came, where the couple united not only their souls, but also their bodies.

At the same time, it was customary to lay three sheets on the bed of the newlyweds, which were taken from the dowry of the bride. That's why linens considered one of the most successful wedding gifts.

Fees for the firstborn

And now the newlyweds have already become husband and wife, and the time has come for the main celebration! The most beloved tradition of all weddings is fees for the firstborn.

To do this, take a couple of ordinary sliders, you can buy some of blue color(symbolizing a boy), and the second - pink (meaning a girl).

Witnesses walk around the hall for several minutes and collect money from the guests in sliders. The gender of the first child will determine the color of the sliders in which they put more money.

Of course, it is the right of the young to decide what rituals to follow at their wedding and how to conduct the ceremony. But the old Russian traditions will make the celebration more attractive, more fun and original.

A Russian wedding is an interesting symbiosis of ancient national traditions, trends of the Soviet era and elements of Western style. Although many couples prefer to celebrate their wedding in the Western style (exit registration, replacement of the toastmaster by the host, lack of competitions, accordionist, traditional ransom and meeting with bread and salt), most of the couple adhere to the classical traditions.

Matchmaking

In ancient times, before sending matchmakers to the bride's house, they were carefully selected. As a rule, relatives became matchmakers. The main purpose of a matchmaker is to be an authoritative person in the eyes of others and to know what to say in a given situation. The peculiarities of weddings in Russia were that the bride did not know her future spouse before the wedding, and it depended on the skill of the matchmakers whether the wedding would take place at all.

Only by their speeches could one understand how good the groom is in his characteristics and qualities. Matchmaking has always been accompanied by jokes, songs, and dances.

As part of the matchmaking, many symbolic rites were performed, some of which are still observed today.

Loaf

This attribute was most often brought by matchmakers from the side of the groom. If the girl agreed to the wedding, she cut the loaf into pieces and distributed it to everyone present, starting with her parents. The loaf had to be eaten to the last bite - then the future marriage was considered successful and happy.

Towel

Today, a towel is used at matchmaking as a dish for a loaf. After the matchmaking, it is kept until the solemn day.

There were certain dates and even days when the outcome of the matchmaking could end most successfully. These dates included the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th of each month, as well as October 14th. The last date was especially significant, since it fell on the feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. It was impossible to get married on the 13th of any month. Among the days of the week for matchmaking, weekends, Tuesdays and Thursdays were best suited.

Matchmakers, once in the house of the future bride, never openly declared the purpose of their visit. They talked with the owners of the house on abstract topics, and then from a distance came to the point. The bride's parents welcomed the guests cordially, treated them to drinks (they were served by the future bride).

At this time, the matchmakers looked closely at the girl, began to ask about her and praise the groom. If the groom was refused, then, as a rule, it was a very laconic answer: “Our apple has not yet poured”, “Our goods are not for sale”, “The dowry has not yet been saved enough”, and others.

If the results of the matchmaking were positive, then after discussing organizational issues, the bride gave her betrothed a pledge - a handkerchief.

A piece of loaf was wrapped in a scarf, and the matchmaker carried it, lifting it up, so that everyone could see that the matchmaking was successful and the wedding would take place soon.

Today, the wedding decision is made by the lovers themselves. Only after that, parents and other relatives will learn about the upcoming event. Of course, matchmaking in many families is carried out to this day (as a certain tribute to old traditions, parents). It is during this pre-wedding ceremony that the parents of the bride can better see and recognize the groom.

Today, matchmaking is carried out in a simplified form. Matchmakers do not arrange theatrical scenes, they sing little and do not say jokes. The groom, having entered the house of the bride, gives flowers to all the women present. Matchmakers bring fruit alcoholic drinks, sweets. The bride receives a valuable gift from the groom and future father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Most often this jewel but maybe an old family heirloom. The bride's parents are given inexpensive gift, but with meaning: a horseshoe (a talisman for housing), a beautiful candle (for comfort and warmth in the house), a photo album (for good memories) and others. As soon as there was an exchange of gifts and mutual greetings, all those present are invited to the table, where the details of the future wedding are discussed.

So that matchmaking does not turn into a boring evening, you need to choose the right matchmakers. Most suitable option- talkative natures who are not burdened with constraint, complexes that can captivate everyone with them.

The groom, who came along with the matchmakers, must remain silent. It is matchmakers who should shine with eloquence. Having greeted all those present and informed about the purpose of the visit, the matchmakers can come up with a whole kaleidoscope of comic trials and tricky questions for the bride. The same tasks, carefully prepared by the bride's relatives, await the groom.

Standing apart in the midst of matchmaking with characteristic jokes is the moment of marriage proposal. At this moment, both the groom and the bride's parents should be very serious, but sincere. The groom can ask parents to marry their daughter to him at the very beginning of the meeting or at the table.

After the engagement was announced to everyone, the main wedding chores began. The bride, along with household chores, had to prepare her dowry and sew a wedding dress. In remote villages, there was even a custom to go out every day on the porch of the father's house, sob and lament about the fear of entering into new life. Today, this ritual is no longer observed.

In addition, a bachelorette party was held on the eve of the wedding. Today in Russia, a bachelorette party is celebrated very magnificently and loudly, but in the old days it was a fairly quiet evening with sad songs.

The bridesmaids braided her braid, weaving satin ribbons, then untwisted.

It was believed that in this way the bride says goodbye to her former unmarried life. The bride herself wept and lamented. Ribbons from the bride's braid were considered endowed with meaning: the bridesmaids took them apart and kept them for happiness and a speedy marriage.

Pre-wedding preparation on the part of the groom consisted in baking a huge painted loaf, decorated with flowers, figurines and interesting patterns from the dough. The entire female half of the house, accompanied by loaf songs, was engaged in the creation of this culinary masterpiece until dawn. The groom had a bachelor party on the eve of the wedding. This evening was attended by his family and friends.

Bride ransom

In Russia, the ransom of the bride was a very responsible matter, requiring considerable generosity from the groom. Today, the monetary component has already faded into the background. The main purpose of the ransom today: passing all the test-competitions prepared by the bridesmaids, the groom proves to everyone how well he knows and loves his future wife. Friends from the groom's side can always come to his aid, if necessary.

After the ransom is completed, the bride's parents will organize a small table for those present.

Wedding ceremony

The wedding takes on a new shade after the official ceremony at the registry office. Many modern couples please themselves and guests in the hall for official ceremonies not only with the first kiss, but also with the first dance (it is required to agree on a specific composition in advance).

After the official part, the guests will have a photo session with the young. Then the guests of the holiday should stand on both sides of the exit from the registry office to shower the young with rose petals, rice, coins or sweets.

According to folk omens, this rite (depending on the products chosen) grants young people wealth, healthy offspring, romantic and sweet life together. If the newlyweds are true believers, then according to the customs of the Russian people, on the same day they undergo a wedding ceremony.

After the official events, the festivities begin. Usually only the closest friends are involved in them.

In order to keep colorful photographs as a memory, young people visit and hold a photo session in the most picturesque corners of the city.

The groom carrying the bride across the bridge is also an integral tradition of Russian weddings. According to beliefs, the young must do a similar procedure on seven bridges, then their union will be strong. But in the conditions of modern celebrations and the congestion of the main city highways, this is not always possible, so the tradition is observed, but the number of objects is reduced to one. They also leave a memorial castle with the initials of the young as a symbol of the strength of marriage.

In Russia, the newlyweds after the marriage visited the groom's father's house. The mother-in-law met them with bread and salt (loaf), and the father-in-law at that time held the icons. The bride and groom had to bite off part of the loaf. The head of the family was determined by the size of the bitten off piece. At the same time, the ceremony of blessing the new family took place. Today, a meeting with a loaf is increasingly taking place in banquet hall in the presence of guests.

outfits

The first thing that comes to mind at a wedding is the dress of the bride. Its color is mostly white. The bride gets a new dress, although some girls prefer to wear their mother's dress on the solemn day, wanting to inherit her happy family life. A new dress is a symbol of entering a new life, and White color- a symbol of youth and purity. That is why women who marry several times wear dresses in blue or beige shades for subsequent ceremonies.

If in Russia the wedding dress has always been bright red, then at modern celebrations you can see brides in white attire with bright accents or delicate pastel colors.

Red color today is the lot of bold and extraordinary personalities. The veil has become optional in modern weddings. It is perceived as a hairstyle decoration. You can replace the veil with a hat with a veil.

According to popular beliefs, there should be something old in the bride's attire. Most often, these are family decorations or an element with wedding dress mothers. This attribute is a symbol of the connection between generations. Also, the outfit should contain a detail borrowed from a girlfriend. It is believed that then next to the young will always be faithful friends ready to help in times of need.

In order for harmony to reign in a young family, the bride must have something blue color: garter, accessory, dress element, make-up component.

feast

The wedding script is built in such a way that congratulations take the main place in it. Parents are always invited first. Then the floor is given to relatives and friends. So that the money envelopes do not form a chaotic pile, and by the end of the evening they are not lost at all, the bride herself or her bridesmaids specially make a box with a slot. A witness helps the bride to collect gifts in monetary terms on the day of the celebration.

After the first toasts and snacks, guests are invited to the dance floor. By tradition, the first dance always remains for the young (if it was not in the registry office). It is very fashionable today to do staged dances, for which the bride and groom work hard for several months in a dance studio. For spectacular performance, the bride and groom can wear other outfits for a while.

Another traditional dance during the feast is the dance of the bride with her father. With this action, he blesses his daughter on happy life in another family.