In the best traditions of the wedding, after the solemn painting, the newlyweds should be met by the groom's parents with a loaf (bread and salt). It is believed that he is a symbol of hospitality big family who accepts a new member (daughter-in-law) into the house. This is a beautiful ritual of a Slavic wedding, which has survived to this day almost in its original form. In it, all participants play a certain role, say important words, perform certain actions, according to old beliefs and traditions. Let's consider in detail what these actions are, and what is the scenario of this custom.

Scenario of the meeting of the bride and groom with a loaf

According to modern principles, while the newlyweds get from the registry office to the place wedding banquet(as a rule, this time is devoted to wedding photo shoot), parents and guests go to the restaurant. They must make important preparations for the meeting of the young with the loaf. All participants wedding celebration(newlyweds, their parents, guests) take part in the ritual with bread and salt:

• Guests solemnly to the music should meet the young, generously strewn their way from the car to the restaurant with coins and rose petals.
• Moms and dads sacredly bless their children at the doorstep for a long, happy family life.
• After the parents utter certain words, the newlyweds must tear off a piece of loaf (during this they salt them or dip them in salt, which is poured in the center of the bread) in order to feed each other.
• It is important for newlyweds to observe the moment of breaking off a loaf piece by piece. This is a holy object, biting which will be gross blasphemy and sin.
• At the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds drink a sip of champagne, and then pour the rest behind their backs to complete this ritual.

It is believed that the young one who breaks off a larger piece of bread and salt will be the head of the family. This seemingly simple ancient ritual requires careful preliminary preparations in a short period of time, while the heroes of the occasion get to the place of the wedding banquet. In order not to fall face down in the dirt, it is important to know in advance what each character in the script needs to do, what words to say. We will consider this in more detail below.

Preparing guests for the newlyweds

Having reached the restaurant, everyone gathers on the threshold in anticipation of the main heroes of the occasion. Beforehand, guests must be prepared by handing them objects for showering the newlyweds: various coins, sweets, rice or wheat, rose petals. Further, all those invited are organized in an organized manner on both sides at the entrance to the institution (living corridor) for the solemn meeting of the bride and groom.

It is important that the ritual of shedding the young is not too intense, so as not to injure the newly born couple with coins, not to spoil them appearance. It is necessary to explain to the guests that they should sprinkle the newlyweds at the feet, as if covering the young people's life path with wealth, prosperity, and happiness. All organizational moments of this tradition should be performed by the toastmaster.

Who and how holds the loaf

After the guests shower the newlyweds along the lively corridor, the latter step on the threshold of the restaurant. Here they are already warmly welcomed by their parents along with bread and salt. According to established traditions, the groom's mother holds the loaf, but not with her bare hands, but on a beautifully embroidered towel. However, the modern wedding ceremony deviates a little from the old customs, and the mother of the bride can hold the loaf.

This is due to the fact that today's newlyweds do not go to live with the groom's parents (as it was in the old days), but begin their independent family life in separate housing. And if so, then both families (the parents of the bride and groom) accept new members into their composition on equal terms. Both mothers can hold the loaf, personifying the reunion, the unity of two families.

The role of fathers in the ritual of meeting the young

While mothers hold the main attribute of the solemn meeting of the young (loaf), fathers do not stand idle. In the hands of one of them should be a tray with a drink, with which the newlyweds seal their union, according to custom, and eat a cut apple in half. And the other dad is holding an icon, with which the parents all together bless their children for a long happy family life.

The ritual of treating guests with a wedding loaf

After the ceremony of meeting the bride and groom with bread and salt is over, the newlyweds, together with the guests, enter the hall and dance their first dance. Then there is a ritual of treating the guests with a wedding loaf. This attribute should never be sold, like a wedding cake. From time immemorial, bread has been considered a holy symbol, which must be fed without self-interest, with a pure soul and heart. Therefore, young people go around the banquet table, treating each invited guest with a generous piece of loaf.

During the treat, guests should make a speech of thanks, sincerely congratulate the bride and groom on the birth of their family. In the modern version of the wedding celebration, the newlyweds, as a rule, remain in their places, and the toastmaster with a tray and chest bypasses all the guests. A tray is for distributing a delicious loaf, and a chest is for collecting gifts that are presented by people who have gathered on such an occasion.

Speech of parents at a meeting of young people at a wedding

Parents should definitely bless their children for the coming happy family life, give a few instructions before they taste the bread and salt offered by the parents. It is best to prepare for this exciting moment in advance by learning a few traditional words that are usually spoken on such an occasion. For each parent, according to this tradition, there is a certain blessing speech, which you can read below.

Mother of the Groom and Mother of the Bride

Your words can be spoken arbitrarily, it is not at all necessary to learn certain phrases, verses. It just has to be a speech that serves as a parting word for a happy family life. Wish your children good and pure relations, a bright joint life path. Give them your warmth and blessing, let the newlyweds feel your love and support at such an important moment for them. See the photo below for an example.

If the loaf is held by the mother-in-law, then she pronounces the words. Speech can be in any form, for example: “Our dear children! Accept with all your heart the loaf that we have prepared as a symbol of blessing for a long and happy family life. May it be strong, filled with love, tenderness, prosperity and well-being! When the words are spoken, the loaf is given to the witness, so that she brings it into the hall, placing it among the rest of the dishes on the wedding table of the newlyweds.

Father of the Groom and Father of the Bride

The bride and groom break off and eat a piece of loaf with salt, and then drink a glass of champagne, which is on a tray from one of the fathers. There is also an apple cut in half - the young should have a bite to eat. Popes also do not stand silently and, like the heads of their families, make a certain speech. They should likewise support and bless their children. See the picture below for an example of words.

The words of the fathers do not have to be in poetic form, just use free speech. Say your firm word to the head of the family that the groom, as a husband, should protect his beloved and be a reliable support for her. Make it clear that you, as parents, are always ready to help with advice and deed at any moment of their life together.

Video: meeting newlyweds with a loaf in a restaurant

Despite the fact that this ritual was performed many centuries ago, its traditions have survived to this day. Not a single one can do without a wedding custom with a loaf modern wedding. This is a wonderful and beautiful ceremony, thanks to which the holiday acquires special significance, solemnity, and the newlyweds pay tribute to their distant ancestors. To see and learn more about how the ancient ritual with bread and salt goes, watch the video in which parents solemnly welcome the newlyweds with a loaf at the restaurant.

The tradition of offering bread and salt to the newlyweds is very symbolic, since ancient times it has been considered the best way protect a newborn family, since bread is a powerful amulet, a symbol of prosperity and a family hearth. Salt is considered a universal remedy against evil spirits. The loaf is brought on a towel - an embroidered towel. It is believed that the life of the young should be as smooth as the surface of a towel.

What did it symbolize in the old days?

The tradition of offering a loaf to newlyweds has its roots in hoary antiquity. In ancient Rome, the bride and groom became spouses only after they ate a piece of a round cake mixed with salt water and honey. The bride and groom passed the pieces of cake to each other at the same time, with several witnesses. The Russian wedding loaf is a descendant of the ancient Roman honey cake.

The round shape of the loaf since ancient times symbolized the Sun or the pagan god of the Sun, who was considered the main patron of the Slavs. According to legend, the sun god descended to earth to bestow the newlyweds, entering into a happy family life, with his caress. Since those distant times, the loaf has become a symbol of fertility and a rich life.

In the old days, the loaf played an important role in the ceremony of offering gifts to the young. The relative first accepted and tasted a piece of loaf, and in gratitude he gave something to the newlyweds. The godparents shared the loaf, and the children carried the pieces to the guests. It was unsuitable to leave the wedding home without a piece of loaf. It was believed that whoever tasted the wedding loaf would be lucky in all endeavors.

What does the wedding loaf symbolize today

Today, the hospitable tradition at the wedding has been preserved. As in the distant past, parents greet the bride and groom with a ruddy loaf on a hand-embroidered towel. It is believed that the more magnificent and beautiful the loaf, the richer and happier the newlyweds who have tasted it will become.

Modern loaves decorate beautiful patterns from thin dough: flowers, spikelets, berries, wicker hearts, rings, birds. Flowers on a loaf symbolize the purity of the bride, spikelets - the well-being and prosperity of a young family, berries - strong and strong love, wicker hearts, rings and birds - fidelity and devotion of the newlyweds to each other.

Young people eat wedding bread from the middle, this tradition represents the birth of a new life and the imminent appearance of married couple children. Division wedding loaf on the part symbolizes the loss of virginity. Decorations from the loaf are distributed to unmarried girls. It is believed that if a girl received and tasted such an ornament, she would soon get married too. There was a belief that if an unmarried girl put a piece of a wedding loaf under her pillow at night, she would see her betrothed in a dream.

Little-known facts about the wedding loaf

Since ancient times, the loaf has identified the status of the future family, so they tried to make it as lush and high as possible. At rich weddings one could see huge loaves the size of a table. Sometimes the loaf rose high and turned out so magnificent that it was impossible to pull it out of the oven and several bricks had to be removed from the oven masonry.

Loaf women were invited to bake the loaf - married women living with their husbands in goodness and harmony, love and happiness, who had sympathetic and hard-working children. It was believed that loaves would give family well-being to a young family. When baking a loaf, women sang ritual songs, inviting happiness and good luck to the home of the young.

The tradition of baking ritual bread is inherent in all Slavic peoples. Ukrainians and Belarusians also have loaf traditions; they bake gubadya for a wedding - a puff pastry pie, the ritual meaning of which is completely identical to the loaf.

Since ancient times, the groom's parents met the newly-made spouses with bread and salt. After all, it was in their house that he brought his betrothed. Nowadays, this tradition is somewhat simplified, and the loaf is waiting for the newlyweds in the banquet hall or other room where the wedding is celebrated.

What is required to meet the young with a loaf

Let's start with the fact that the loaf should be large. Its size and all kinds of decorations predict a rich and happy life for the newlyweds. Of course, you can not create unnecessary trouble for yourself and just buy ready-made round bread in the bakery. However, by doing this you will deprive yourself of quite an interesting pastime. And what symbolizes the wedding loaf will lose its relevance. After all, you don’t even know who baked it and with what mood.

According to tradition, only women were allowed to engage in wedding ritual baking. For this, one of the happiest married ladies was invited to the groom's house. She kneaded the dough, constantly singing positive love songs. And while forming the bread, round like the sun, she read prayers. "Our Father" and "to the Mother of God" were considered obligatory. A man sent a loaf to bake. Also married and accomplished. Thus, the bread absorbed positive energy. family well-being. And it was passed down from generation to generation.

Decor wedding loaf and towel

At first, pastries were decorated only with viburnum branches, a little later, each element of the decor became iconic:

• wheat ears - wealth,
• viburnum - love,
• braids are an inseparable bond between spouses.
• figurines of swans - fidelity and devotion. Interestingly, it is swans that are found in many. Along with grapes, which symbolizes fertility. Both in business and in the pursuit of offspring.

In fact, the decoration of the loaf for the newlyweds echoed the pictures embroidered on the towel. The painted towel also concealed a lot of meaning. Firstly, it had to be very beautiful, so the embroidery was entrusted experienced craftswomen. Secondly, the towel was made two-sided: the female side and the male side. Decorations were in three rows. The first personified the continuity of generations and plant motifs were used in it. The second is best wishes to the bride and groom. For example, red cockerels, symbolizing happiness and health, or roses for eternal love in the house. The third row served as a talisman for the young. Most often, this role was played by the crown. She was perceived as a request for God's blessing of marriage.

Today, the towel is given less importance. But you should still choose it very carefully. After all, you will keep this towel for many years, remembering your important day with joy. And the photo of the wedding loaf will take its rightful place in your album.

The same goes for salt shakers. It is not necessary to spoil the beautiful wedding bread with any salt shaker. It is better to buy it together with a towel set - a traditional white one with a painting or a more concise wooden one.

How to meet young people with a loaf

If you follow the Russian tradition, then the answer to the question of who holds the loaf at the wedding will be unequivocal. This is the mother of the groom, or an older relative who replaces her. A father or godfather should stand nearby. The guests form a semicircle, encouraging the young. Sometimes before the meeting they say special words for the wedding loaf.

Round bread is placed on a towel without a plate, a salt shaker is placed in the middle. The towel itself should hang freely on the sides almost to the floor, but not in contact with it.

The one who should meet the young with a loaf blesses the newly made spouses. Parents' greetings at the wedding may sound like this:

But it is not necessary to clothe your farewell in poetic form. A few sincere kind words with the conclusion "advice and love" will be enough. The main thing is that they go with a pure heart.

Tip: You can take the icon of the Virgin or the Savior to the meeting of the newlyweds. Or a fold, in which both icons are immediately presented.

Young people bow to their parents and thank them. Then, under the applause of the guests, a treat with bread and salt follows. The bride and groom are invited to bite off a piece of wedding cake and eat it after adding salt. The traditional wedding entertainment is that the spouses should take their hands back and try to bite off as much as possible. The one who wins will be the master of the house.

If the bridegroom's relatives meet the young with a loaf, then the bride's parents serve glasses of champagne. And they can also congratulate the children and wish them happiness. Champagne must be drained to the bottom in order to “drink all the love”, and glasses should be broken without regret, imagining that with this ringing all troubles, both past and future, will go away.

Note: Salting a piece of loaf is a must. Especially the bride. According to an old belief, it is believed that this is how she eats all her tears.

Treat with wedding bread

After meeting with the loaf, the newlyweds and guests go to the banquet hall. The wedding bread is cut or broken into many pieces and distributed to the guests. Carrying away a piece of loaf from a wedding is considered a good omen. Unmarried girls take bread decorations from the loaf and put them under the pillow, hoping to see their betrothed in a dream.

In ancient times, there was an unspoken set of rules on how to divide the loaf. According to Russian wedding traditions, the process was led by the groom's boyfriend or best man, as he is now called. After the newlyweds, parents received bread, then older relatives. And only then did the loaf reach the guests. Moreover, each piece was exchanged for a gift or money. The remains of the wedding loaf were distributed to the poor, who were waiting on the street. So one can only imagine how big and delicious it was.

Note: Also, the loaf can be taken to the church. This will be a donation asking for peace and prosperity in the family.

The traditions associated with wedding bread date back more than one hundred years. Therefore, if you want to preserve the continuity of generations, then try to find out everything about the wedding loaf and conduct this ceremony as colorfully as possible. You can make your own adjustments to the meeting script, recall other wedding signs and make an excellent program based on them. Then your family life will begin with a beautiful and symbolic holiday.

Special words for a wedding loaf

Just as people love bread and salt, so a husband would love his wife. Just as salt cannot be replaced with sugar, so a husband cannot be changed by his wife either with a dark, neither with a light, nor with a full, nor with a thin, nor with a smart, nor with a stupid, nor with any another slave. As people love bread and salt, so would a wife love her husband. Just as salt cannot be replaced by sugar, so a wife cannot be changed by her husband either with a dark one, or with a light one, or with a plump one, or with a thin one, or with a smart one, or with a stupid one, or with any other slave. Amen.

Parents' words

1. Dear our children!

Take this loaf

He is ruddy, fresh and lush,

As hot as your hearts.

In the middle we put happiness for you,

Keep it until the end.

Dear our children! Bread and salt we give you,

So that you can divide everything in this world in half.

There will be joy or sorrow - avoid unnecessary drama,

You need to learn how to yield to each other in a dispute.

Live by faith and law, do not look for an easy life,

Greet relatives, friends, respect father and mother.

There will be children, there will be grandchildren - everything will go on as usual.

Husband, take your wife by the hand! And advice to you and love!

We have a custom

We've been familiar with it since childhood.

To meet all guests with bread and salt

Bow low to the waist

At the table in Russian

Eat generously.

Bread for you, yes salt,

Happiness and love

This is what the people have been saying since time immemorial.

Loaf is a symbolic bread, which can be considered an essential attribute of a wedding celebration. Bread has always been considered a generous gift of the earth, a symbol of wealth and fertility, and a festive loaf is also a real masterpiece, the embodiment of craftsmanship. The form of festive bread is necessarily round, it is a symbol of the Sun. Traditionally, the loaf is decorated with branches of viburnum, ears of wheat, rye. Until now, there is a belief that the one who bites off the larger piece from the loaf will be the master in the house.

photo: Traditional wedding loaf

They baked a loaf on the eve of the wedding in the groom's house or the bride's house. This was done by the imprisoned mother of the groom and young women, who were called "loaf girls", from 3 to 7 people (the number should be dishonest). All women should be happy in marriage, have children: widows and women who were repeatedly married were not invited. The ritual began before sunset: the loaf girls were tied with a red belt, each of them brought a part of the products for the loaf. When the dough was kneaded, it was believed that one should not even talk loudly, otherwise the loaf would not rise. The loaf makers had to be professionals in their field: the dough should not have been too steep or liquid: so that the life of the young would not burst like a loaf in the oven. Such women were revered: they were presented with tablecloths, gifts, and treats. The dough was kneaded on the lid of a bowl sprinkled with flour. Often, wheat flour was used for the loaf, but it was also possible to bake from rye flour. Dough decorations were baked separately: they could be figurines of domestic animals, fruits of trees, flowers, stars, the sun, a month and other auspicious symbols.

photo: Baking a wedding loaf also has its own signs and traditions

It was believed that the larger and more beautiful the loaf, the more prosperous and better the life of a young family would be, so in some villages it was customary to bake a loaf the size of the entire table. Such a loaf was taken out on a special stretcher by 3-4 people.

After the loaf was baked and cooled, it was carried to the bride “for show”. If loaves were baked in both houses, then the parents symbolically exchanged bread. In the house of the young, the loaf was placed in the room of the newlyweds for the whole night, and in the morning the friend took it and brought it to the table, and then began to divide it among the relatives and guests gathered at the table. The first piece of loaf was given to the newlyweds: it was the middle, which was associated with family happiness and symbolized wealth. The rest of the loaf was equally divided among the guests.

In different regions, the loaf was called differently: festive bread, pie, kurnik, cookies. Magical power was attributed to this bread. In some regions of the country, it was customary to give gifts after receiving a piece of loaf.

Together with the loaf, wedding cones were also baked in the oven, which were also considered a festive attribute. Most often they were made from the same dough as the holiday bread. To do this, the dough was rolled out and cut into strips, 6-8 cm wide. The strips were cut with a knife and twisted so that the bottom of the cone remained smooth, and “petals” appeared on the other. Cones served as an “invitation” to a wedding: if we send postcards to a modern celebration, then before the bride and her friends walked around the village and invited guests: if a person was handed a cone, he simply could not refuse. Sometimes, instead of cones, bizarre figurines of birds were baked: larks, doves, ducks - they were distributed to young people.

photo: Wedding cones - used as a wedding invitation

Interestingly, ceremonial bread was also common in Ukraine: for example, mothers of the bride were given “chobots” or “combs” baked from dough, for the groom a pair of boots made of dough, for the father-in-law, the groom could bring a “harrow with oxen”, also baked in his house . The loaf was divided into pieces after the wedding dinner; this duty was entrusted to the headman or the witness. The sole of the loaf, in which coins were often baked, was given to musicians, and part of the loaf was left for the “Cossacks”, children and adolescents who were “beyond the threshold”.

The tradition of meeting young people with a loaf is still alive. It is customary for the groom's mother to hold the festive bread, however, it is possible for both mothers to simultaneously support the dish with the loaf.

The wedding cake and its history

The tradition of cutting the wedding cake has been around for centuries. There is an ancient belief that friendship is sealed by breaking bread: in fact, this modified tradition is embodied in the process of cutting the cake and distributing a piece to each guest. Even the shape or decoration of the cake can be symbolic: white or pink roses symbolized love, bright red flowers - passion, a horseshoe-shaped cake - happiness, a horn-shaped cake - for prosperity, a pyramid or a pie - a wish to live your whole life together.

photo: Modern tradition cutting the wedding cake

In ancient times, such a dish as "cake" did not exist, it was replaced by wedding bread. For example, in Rome, bread was baked from barley or wheat flour. It was not just divided into pieces, but broken right above the bride’s head: at the same time, each guest received his portion, and the groom collected and ate the crumbs from his beloved’s head. In England, the pie was replaced by a pile of small sweet buns, over which the young had to kiss, confirming their decision to live together in sorrow and in joy.

For the first time such a dish as "cake" appeared in the second half of the 17th century. Its author was a French confectioner who came to London on business: he attended a wedding and was surprised at how randomly and ugly the wedding cakes were piled in a heap. As a result, the shapeless pile became an elegant cake, which was called croquembush. The masterpiece consisted of cream balls, had a pyramidal shape and was decorated with sweets. After that, the custom quickly spread throughout the world and became an integral attribute of a wedding or any other celebration.

Interesting, but for a wedding in Ancient Rus' it was customary to bake savory pies, the filling was predominantly meat. But in Asian and European countries, guests were treated to sweet pies. The first figurines of the bride and groom were made of clay in pagan times, then they began to be made edible. For a long time, the wedding cake was cut not by the newlyweds themselves, as is done now, but by a married woman with several children, an exemplary housewife from the groom's family. It was believed that she puts positive energy into the process itself and the life of the newlyweds will also be very good.

Tiered cakes, so loved by many newlyweds, appeared only in the 19th century. It is still not clear who owns the primacy in the manufacture of such a sweet masterpiece: someone is inclined to think that they were the British, others defend the position that they were Viennese culinary specialists. In any case, a start has been made. In the 20th century, wedding cakes were no longer traditionally round and pyramidal: there was an abundance various forms. The most popular type of treat, when each tier is placed on a separate stand. They take out the cake at the climax of the wedding evening: by the way, you can cheat a little and cut all the tiers, except for the top one, into pieces shortly before serving - and the newlyweds have less trouble, and there is no chance of smearing the wedding dress, trying to cut this cream splendor into pieces. The best upper tier, richly decorated, can remain intact - it relies on the bride and groom.

photo: Modern wedding cakes

As you can see, wedding cakes and loaves appeared a long time ago: this is not just a tradition, but rather the history of our people, which should not be forgotten.

Very diverse, but baking bread in honor of the marriage is an obligatory ritual in many countries. Loaf is not just a product made of sweetish dough, decorated with flowers, berries and leaves, this treat takes pride of place on wedding table. Once upon a time, it was not easy for people to feed their families. Often there were droughts, wars, as well as other circumstances that taught them to appreciate all foodstuffs, and first of all - bread. It is he who is the great-great-grandfather of the modern wedding cake.

What does the wedding loaf symbolize?

The round shape of this wedding treat was compared with the main heavenly body, which people in Rus' worshiped, and bread has always been a sign of fertility and a rich life. He is the real one that came to us from our distant pagan ancestors. Handing the newlyweds a loaf, they believed that Yarilo, the god of the Sun, was taking a new family under his care.

"Wedding" - this is the name given by our great-great-grandmothers to the loaf, which was baked in honor of the marriage. If someone expressed a desire to marry, but was still too young for this, they could say about him: "His loaf has not yet been baked." People treated wedding bread as a sacred object and believed that it would help young people overcome all hardships. That is why the process of its manufacture is a kind of sacred rite.

Preparing a wedding loaf

Only a married woman who had children and was happily married was trusted to knead the dough for wedding bread, and she sent it to the oven married man. Those who were single or widows were by no means admitted to the sacrament of this ceremony. Loaf has always been baked lush and large. People believed that big wedding bread would bring young people a comfortable and happy life.

Sometimes it got to the point that you had to take out a few bricks to get it out of the oven. When it was necessary to bake a wedding loaf of very large sizes, several women were invited to make it, who read prayers in the process of work. It is believed that such bread has mystical power and special beliefs and traditions are associated with it.

To date, this custom has practically gone out of use and its place has been taken by products ordered from confectioneries. But real craftswomen, relatives of the future newlyweds, will certainly be happy to present the bride and groom with a gift made with their own hands from a pure heart. If you decide to please the young with such pleasant surprise then you will need it.

Wedding loaf: traditions

• Bread prepared for marriage was protected as the apple of an eye. He was necessarily covered with a special towel and not allowed to look at him by strangers.
• During the solemn feast, the loaf should be in the most honorable place
• Before you start dividing the loaf, you need to give gifts to the parents of the young, this should be done by the bride.
• Young people must break off a piece from the top of the wedding bread, whoever gets it more becomes the head of the family.
• The remains of the wedding loaf are broken into pieces or cut with a knife and then distributed to all the guests present. It's better if a child does it.
• In no case should you refuse a loaf, this is a manifestation of disrespect for the newlyweds.
• It is believed that decorating wedding bread will definitely help. unmarried girl be happily married in the future.
• A piece of loaf received at a wedding could be stored for many years. When a soldier went to war, he was wrapped in a rag and he protected the man from bullets and all sorts of troubles.

Who should meet the young with a loaf

According to tradition, the ritual bread is held by the mother of the groom during the meeting of the newlyweds, after their marriage has been officially registered. Many years ago, after the wedding, the bride had to move to live in her husband's house and the mother-in-law met the young wife of her son with bread and salt. Nowadays new family most often after the wedding, he moves to a separate home, so the parents meet them at the entrance to the banquet hall, where the festive feast will take place. In addition to the wedding loaf, parents hold the image of the Savior with which they bless the young family.

The groom's mother (mother-in-law), according to an old custom, says parting words to the bride and groom. They can be both in verse and in prose, for example:

Dear children! The day of your marriage is a sunny moment in your life. We sincerely wish you to be happy together. And as a sign of parental blessing, accept this loaf. It serves as a symbol of love and prosperity, and the salt on it is a warning that in family life not everything is sweet. To overcome all the difficulties on your way, treat yourself to a loaf, let the warmth that he keeps in himself forever remain in your hearts. May your home always be comfortable, filled with love, prosperity, children's laughter and good friends. Advice to you, yes love!

Usually, the speech is prepared in advance, but the memorized text is often forgotten due to excitement and joy. No need to get lost and upset about it. After all, maternal words spoken for children over a wedding loaf, coming from the heart and soul, will become for the young the most best wishes and parental blessings.

After the young people have tasted the wedding bread, received congratulations and instructions from their parents, they invite the guests who came to their celebration for festive table. It is worth remembering that the salt that was brought along with the loaf should be poured into a small cloth bag and hidden behind the icon with which the parents blessed the young. And decorate the icon with a towel on which the wedding bread stood. This amulet will protect family members from various misfortunes.