Wedding loaf: traditions, signs and advice to young people

A wedding loaf is the only tradition that has survived to this day, having undergone very small changes. This is not just a pie, it is a real symbol of love, warmth and tenderness. According to custom, representatives of the older generation bestow these benefits on a young family.

Any tradition, like any custom, has its own amazing story. For example, a wedding loaf. In fact, the true name of this rite is "bread and salt." The cake itself was prepared not only on the occasion of the wedding, homemade cakes were welcomed dear guests. The bread baked by the mistress of the house meant wealth. The salt shaker was a charm from evil spirits. Such an arsenal said that the receiving side is asking for God's mercy for its guests.

In ancient times, a loaf baked for a wedding was a symbol of the blessing of a new family. At the meeting, the relatives of the young wife presented the newlyweds with a special cake, thereby making it clear that they are taking the bride to their house and will treat her like a daughter. Few people paid attention, but the pie shape was conceived for a reason. Round pastries symbolize the heavenly body - the sun. It is it that bestows the fertility of crops, and people, respectively, well-being. This kindness lies at the heart of the loaf, and these good wishes are passed on to the young family by the older generation.

In Russia, even the preparation of a wedding loaf proceeded according to custom. A woman who was happy in her marriage and had several children with good health had the right to knead the dough and bake bread. It was believed that the energy and positive attitude that the cook is endowed with are transferred to the bride and groom.In addition, special attention was paid to decorating the pie, where each decor image fashioned from dough had its own designation. The scenery for the loaf could be done after baking the base or from the very beginning:

• the united rings indicate the conclusion of a marriage;
• the spikelet is compared with prosperity;
• the image of birds speaks of mutual trust;
• roses - a symbol of beauty;
• viburnum symbolizes a lasting union.

In past centuries, one loaf was baked for the wedding, with whom they met young spouses. All guests were supposed to get a piece of holiday bread. But today, views on this issue have changed dramatically. One loaf will not be enough, so the custom allows you to bake two pies for the event. This is especially true for weddings. It should be noted: in the old days people always paid attention to signs. Even the process of preparing the loaf was treated as something sacred:

• water and flour for cooking had to be taken from seven different containers;
• a married man sent a festive cake to the stove;
• a bursting loaf was considered a bad sign;
• finished baking should be hidden from prying eyes;
• the process of sharing the cake lay on the shoulders of the godparents of the bride and groom;
• Each guest should taste a piece of the wedding loaf.

To begin with, it should be clarified that the holiday cake should be large. Its size and variety of jewelry prophesies a newly-born poor and bright future. Nowadays, of course, you can not waste time baking with your own hands, it is easiest to place an order in a bakery. But in this case, the symbolism of happiness and prosperity, transmitted to the young family from the older generation, will lose its meaning.

The meeting of the newlyweds with a loaf is an ancient Russian rite. Arrived guests stand in a semicircle, leaving the bride and groom a large space for passage. Handing a young loaf relies on the mother of the groom. The father, in turn, stands next to his mother and holds in his hands the icon of the Virgin or Savior. There is a belief that before the meeting of the newlyweds, special words are uttered on the holiday cake, thereby wishing the young family peace and well.

Serving a loaf on a tray is strictly prohibited. According to Russian custom, there should not be any stand. Baked bread is placed on a rushnyk, and a salt-filled salt shaker is placed on its top. It is important to know that a towel, that is, a towel, should be long, but not in contact with the surface of the earth. At the time of the meeting of the young, the parent carrying the cake blesses the lovers by giving a specially prepared welcome speech. Not necessarily in poetic form, the main thing is to feel sincerity.

At the end of kind words, the phrase “advice and love” is required, which is a prerequisite. After the parents have fulfilled their roles, the turn of the bride and groom comes. As a sign of gratitude and respect, the newlyweds bow to the meeting side, and the guests applaud. And after that they taste the wedding loaf according to tradition, without the help of hands.

In modern weddings, few people make full use of the Old Slavonic script. Basically, everything goes in a modern style, using the traditions of ancient Russia. That is why it is believed that the meeting of the bride and groom can take place near the entrance to the restaurant, and instead of the loaf mother of the groom will hold a tray with a special dessert. In fact, replacing a traditional holiday cake is considered a creative step. It remains only to decide which dish is more suitable for this process.

• Baguette with red caviar. Moreover, cut along. In the center is laid caviar. Custom requires deciding who in the house will be the master.To do this, the bride and groom need to bite off the loaf, each for its part, who has bitten more, he has the main word in the house.
• Berries with cream. Modern brides at the most unforgettable day in their lives do not want to appear before the guests with a huge piece of bread in their mouth. Therefore, to meet the young, a special vase with fruits is organized, mainly strawberries are used. In a small bowl have whipped cream. The bride and groom treat each other with berries in a sweet gravy.

• Chocolate. A very unusual choice for replacing the loaf. But it looks very original. For contrast, the bride will treat her husband with dark tiles, and the groom will choose a white slice.
• Ice cream. A good way to replace, especially in the summer. The main thing is to decorate beautifully and quickly serve, so that beauty does not melt in the sun.

• Bagels with honey. Dessert assortment of ancient Russia. A great option to replace the loaf. But it’s important not to overdo it with honey.
• Fortune cookies. By the way, not only cookies are necessary. It can be cupcakes or croissants. Newlyweds are invited to close their eyes and choose the touch they like pastries. The found prediction must be read aloud for all guests.

• Watermelon. Exclusively for a summer wedding. And for the late summer, otherwise the festive event may end in discomfort in general condition.
• Coffee. This method of replacing the loaf came from England. Two cups of brewed coffee stand on a tray and await the heroes of the occasion.

• Tequila with lime and salt. Such a combination is rarely chosen by the newlyweds. The only plus is that salt can be snapped off the hands of its second half.
• Pizza. The Italian dish is mostly chosen by young couples. Especially if Italy has become the theme of a wedding celebration.

• Fruit on a skewer. Very tasty and delicious, especially if you dip the berries in a chocolate fountain.
• Hamburger. Who would have thought, but a roll with a patty and vegetables could be a substitute for an unusual wedding loaf.
• Milk with shortbread. A rather pleasant combination of products, especially for children before bedtime. But with this dessert, some couples replace the holiday cake.

To date, no one can say for sure what they did to the loaf after the wedding in the old days. Some say one thing, others say another. From the general opinions there are five options that can be done with a loaf after the wedding.

• The newlyweds bitten bread was carried to their home. Loaf was supposed to finish the man. They say that the more a young husband eats wedding bread, the sooner the first-born will appear.
• The remaining bread is taken away by the newlyweds, dried to the state of crackers. During a period of illness or a black streak in life, it is enough to eat only one piece. Health will instantly recover, and things will go uphill.
• The loaf is divided into all guests, and everyone should eat their own piece.
• According to Christian tradition, a bitten pie must be taken to the church as a donation.
• Complex three-layer loaves were divided according to a special method. The upper part is intended for the heroes of the occasion. The second layer is divided into all relatives. Third tier for guests.

A wedding loaf is not just a cake for a festive ceremony, but a whole work of art. Every housewife can bake such beauty, but few are able to make unusual jewelry. Wedding bread has a classic round shape, symbolizing the sun and warmth. On the edges of the cake is decorated with a magnificent braid. On the surface there are images of swans and rings. Neat and tiny roses add a certain touch to the overall picture.

For the design of modern wedding cakes, multi-colored decoration methods and an extraordinary approach are used. In this case, the loaf is decorated with images of grape brushes. Along the edges for a variety of color styling, artificial rowan branches are used. For a large wedding, the loaf size should be appropriate, especially considering that each layer has its own special purpose. This cake is decorated in the old Russian style. Mostly present are images of wildflowers and plants. Roses on the top layer of the loaf symbolize purity and love, which is just suitable for a wedding celebration.

On how to make a loaf for a wedding with your own hands, see the next video.