Who takes out and holds a loaf at a wedding?

Meeting the newlyweds after registering their marriage with a wedding loaf is an old ceremony that has survived to this day almost unchanged. As a rule, the young parents of the groom met. Nowadays, they do not attach much importance to the one 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 ate a piece of a specially prepared pie. In Russian traditions, bread in the shape of a circle was a symbol of the sun. It was believed that it was the sun god descended from the sky to caress the newlyweds. The loaf symbolized good prosperity and a comfortable life. Previously, young couples 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 the guest would lose luck.

Currently, these traditions have not been lost. The happiness and wealth of the new family is determined by the splendor of the loaf. He is brought on a hand-embroidered towel, the mother and father of the newly-minted spouse, they treat the young. Nowadays, there are many options for decorating a dish - these are edible flowers, swans, pigeons, rings. If the loaf is decorated with berries or hearts, then it is believed that eternal love awaits the young. Flowers are a sign of a bride's purity. Birds represent 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, unmarried ladies were treated to fragments of a loaf, especially jewelry. It was believed that if such a guest left a piece of cake under the pillow at night, she would dream of her future husband.

In ancient times, newly-minted spouses began their family life in the groom's house. That is why the wedding loaf was carried out by the husband's parents. We met the young on the threshold of the parental home. The mother-in-law himself held the loaf and the salt shaker, while the father-in-law held an icon in his hands, which they blessed the newlyweds with for a happy marriage.

Now an established married couple does not necessarily go to live in a spouse's house, and the meeting with the loaf usually takes place on the threshold of the banquet hall. The mother of the bride can also bear this sweet symbol. These are all Russian traditions, but it may be so that some of the young do not have parents. Then the godparents can act as a father or mother. Another option is that this place is occupied by the closest married relative who took part in the upbringing of the groom or bride.

The rite itself has its own traditions to be followed.

• The wedding loaf is carried out on a beautiful towel.
• A small hole is formed in the middle of the cake, where a salt shaker is placed.
• The groom's mother or a relative who serves it, pronounces sincere congratulations and parting words. The father holding the 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 cake, dip in salt and treat each other. This tradition implies the further joint overcoming of all family difficulties. Another option: each of the spouses bites off a piece - whoever bites off a larger piece will become the head of the family.
• After the young people have tasted the loaf, you need to drink a sip of champagne or wine, break the glasses for good luck.

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

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

Try the tips as you compose your speech.

• The main idea of ​​the text is the wish for a happy family life, a strong union, and 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.
• The words should be sincere, so you shouldn't rehearse them all night in front of the mirror, otherwise a dry memorized text will flow from your mother-in-law's lips.
• It is recommended to conduct the ceremony under the supervision of the leader, who can smooth out unforeseen situations, suggest words at the right time.
• You can write down congratulations on a piece of paper and quietly spy on if all the words fly out of your head with excitement.

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

How to bake a loaf, see the video below.