Who makes and holds a loaf at a wedding?

The meeting of the newlyweds after registering the marriage with a wedding loaf is an old rite that has survived to this day almost unchanged. As a rule, the groom’s parents met young people. Nowadays, they do not attach much importance to those whose relatives are holding this solemn symbol in their hands.

The Russian rite came from Ancient Rome, where a man and a woman were considered husband and wife only when they tasted a piece of specially prepared cake. In Russian traditions, circle-shaped bread was a symbol of the sun. It was believed that this is the sun god descended from heaven to caress the bride and groom. Loaf symbolized good prosperity and a comfortable life. Earlier, young spouses handed out slices of a wedding loaf to guests in exchange for some kind of gift. It was impossible to leave the holiday without a piece of loaf, otherwise luck will leave the guest.

Currently, these traditions have not been lost. The happiness and wealth of the new family is determined by the splendor of the loaf. It is offered on a bench hammer, hand-embroidered, the mother and father of the newly-born spouse, treat the young. Today, there are many options for decorating a dish - these are edible flowers, swans, pigeons, rings. If the loaf is decorated with berries or hearts, it is believed that eternal love awaits the young. Flowers are a sign of purity of the bride. Birds embody the honesty and sincerity of the spouses. Spikelets symbolize family well-being.

By the way, earlier cutting the wedding cake into pieces was a sign of the loss of the bride’s virginity, therefore, fragments of the loaf, especially decorations, were treated to unmarried ladies. It was believed that if such a guest left a piece of cake under the pillow at night, then she would dream about her future husband.

In ancient times, newly-married spouses began their family life in the groom's house. That is why the wedding loaf was taken out by the husband's parents. We met young people on the threshold of their parental home. The loaf and the salt shaker held the mother-in-law, while the mother-in-law held the icon in her hands, which blessed the newlyweds in a happy marital union.

Now the existing married couple does not necessarily go to live in the house of the spouse, and the meeting with the loaf usually takes place on the threshold of the banquet hall. The mother of the bride can take out this sweet symbol. These are all Russian traditions, but it may well be that one of the young has no parents. Then godparents may act as father or mother. Another option - this place is taken by the closest married relative who took part in the upbringing of the groom or bride.

The rite itself has its own traditions that it is desirable to observe.

• Wedding loaf is carried out on a beautiful rushnyk.
• In the middle of the cake, a small hole is formed, where they put a salt shaker.
• The groom's mother or relative who serves him utters sincere congratulations and parting words. A father holding an icon blesses the newlyweds for a happy family life.

• After that, the scenario may vary. Most often, the bride and groom break off a piece of the cake, dunk it in salt and treat each other. This tradition implies further joint overcoming of all family difficulties. Another option: each spouse bites off piece by piece - whoever bites off a larger chunk will become the head of the family.
• After the young tasted the loaf, you need to drink a sip of champagne or wine, break the glasses for good luck.

• Further, the applause of the guests who lined up in advance to meet the newlyweds in front of the banquet hall is heard. Once the glasses are broken, young can be showered with rose petals, rice grains, coins.
• The heroes of the occasion or the host of the holiday themselves invite guests to proceed to the banquet.

A special place in the delivery of the loaf is given to the mother's parting speech. The right words are always difficult to find, even harder to pronounce them publicly.

When composing a speech, try the tips.

• The main idea of ​​the text is a wish for a happy family life, a strong union, an easy joint overcoming of all adversities.
• 3 or 4 sentences are enough, since a long speech will tire both guests and young people, for the whole day everyone is already tired and hungry.
• Words should be sincere, so you should not rehearse them in front of a mirror all night, otherwise a dry memorized text will pour from your mother-in-law.
• It is recommended to conduct the ceremony under the control of the leader, who will be able to smooth out unforeseen situations, to prompt words at the right time.
• You can write a congratulation on a piece of paper and discreetly peek if all the words fly out of your head from excitement.

It doesn't matter whose relatives take out the loaf at the wedding. It is necessary for these people to be sincerely happy for the new established family and be able to pick up warm words when presenting the sweet loaf to the newlyweds.

How to bake a loaf, see the video below.