Signs and beliefs
The main symbol of this anniversary is the silver rings that are exchanged between the couple.
The rings are either worn on the middle finger of the right hand or replace gold ones until the next anniversary. A silver ring symbolizes family happiness and its further duration.
The ritual of ablution is also associated with the celebration of the silver anniversary. Ablution is performed in the morning, when the newlyweds, getting out of bed and holding a silver jug with their hands, go to the river. Having reached the place, the wife must wash her husband three times from a silver jug:
- Due to the first ablution, the spouse becomes 25 years younger.
- Secondly, it washes away all the burdens and hardships that have been acquired.
- The third symbolizes a happy and long life together.
In addition, the celebration of a marriage anniversary in the century before last included an invitation to the priest to perform a second wedding ceremony.
This tradition still lives today and serves as an excellent occasion for those couples who have not been married by the church and are just about to undergo this ceremony.
Wedding scenarios
Bride ransom
The bride's guests gathered at the entrance to the house to meet the groom. The groom arrives with his entourage and approaches those greeting them. Friend (witness) says:
- A good fellow has come. They say you have good goods here. Our merchant is excellent: handsome, young, smart, generous, rich, almost a military man.
Friend (witness):
- The goods may be available, however, how do we know that your merchant is as you describe. They didn’t hear, didn’t see, didn’t have the honor to see. Therefore, let your merchant prove himself in action and pass several tests.
Friend:
- Well, it’s written in men’s nature to pass tests - we’re ready!
Wedding Challenge #1: “Love is Strong.” Give the groom a wet towel with the words:
– Show, groom, the strength of your love for the bride: tie the towel as tightly as you love her.
The groom is struggling to get married. All guests should encourage him, forcing him to tie it tighter. After this the witness says:
- I see love is strong! Now untie it to show how quickly you will sweep all the squabbles out of the house.
Wedding Challenge #2: “Gift for the Bride.” A basin is placed in front of the groom. Friend's words:
– If you boast that you are generous, then show what the greatest gift you are ready to give to your beloved, but keep in mind: it should be the gift of her dreams.
The groom must guess that it is himself and sit in the basin. And if not, then demand money for the tip.
Wedding Challenge #3: Footprints. Place various drawn marks on paper at the threshold. Friend's words:
“There are a lot of girls who live here, so they trampled.” Find one trace and lead your beloved down the aisle.
The groom must find the trace of the bride. For every misfire there is a cash ransom.
Wedding Challenge #4: “Almost Rich.” Friend's words:
- If the rumor here says that you are almost rich, then write the name of your bride from your fortune. And we honor!
The groom places her name from banknotes at the entrance to the bride's apartment. The newlywed loudly calls the girl by name, quickly opens the door, finds his beloved and takes her to the registry office.
Newlyweds meeting
After the marriage, the bride and groom drive up to the restaurant, where the wedding banquet is held according to the scenario. Their parents are waiting for them at the threshold of the establishment, and the guests are greeted with joyful cries and sprinkle the newlyweds with confetti, coins, and sweets. The groom's mother holds a huge loaf of bread on a towel. Her words:
– Our dear children! This bright day has come to pass in your life, when two hearts united. May the road to family happiness be joyful, filled with love, care and affection, and may your home be a full cup with its endless hearth. Break off a piece of bread and show us all who will be the owner of this very house!
The bride and groom tear off a piece of loaf, dip it in salt and feed each other. Whoever has the larger piece will be the head of the family. Then the doors to the restaurant open and the guests follow the newlyweds into the room.
First dance
The bride and groom invite the guests to take their seats, after which, according to the wedding script, they dance their first dance as newlyweds to beautiful music, such as a waltz.
Feast
In the restaurant, all the worries of the host of the wedding celebration are taken over by the toastmaster, who opens the banquet part with the words:
- Dear guests! Let's welcome our newlyweds and raise our filled wedding glasses to their happiness. Bitterly!
After a short pause, when the guests have had time to refresh themselves, the host announces the congratulatory part of the wedding celebration with the presentation of gifts, during which he announces each guest by name, starting with the parents of the bride and groom. Matchmakers approach everyone who is given the floor, hold a microphone, and also collect gifts that guests present to the newlyweds. After a toast at a wedding, the guest is given a filled glass, which he drinks to the bottom and shouts “Bitter!”
When the congratulatory part of the wedding is over, the toastmaster moves on to a scenario with an active entertainment program, in which absolutely all guests of the wedding celebration along with the bride and groom participate in competitions.
What do you give as a silver anniversary gift?
Guests invited to the anniversary should present a silver item as a gift - it could be:
- silverware;
- a decorative item made of silver or made in silver tones;
- Jewelry;
- cutlery items.
Great gifts for a silver wedding would be:
- Decanters, salad bowls, glasses, silver spoons and other utensils made of noble metal.
- Silver jewelry for both spouses - this can be bracelets, chains, cufflinks, watches and other attributes. Jewelry can be common for both, or individual for each - for example, cufflinks for a spouse and a bracelet for a wife.
- Silver figurine in the form of two white swans - a symbol of love;
Spouses exchange silver rings on this day - their children can also give this gift if they earn good money. If the children are not yet self-sufficient, or the work does not bring in much income, then a hand-made silver-colored product would be a good gift for parents.
Despite the fact that other guests traditionally present silver dishes or silver products and jewelry, their choice is not limited to this, because in addition to traditional gifts there are many other excellent options, for example:
- expensive bed linen made of silk and other luxury fabrics;
- household or kitchen appliances (microwave, coffee maker, dishwasher, etc.);
- a plasma panel or a stereo system (not everyone can afford such a gift, so in order not to be considered a “black sheep” in the eyes of other guests, you can cooperate and, having collected the required amount, present it from everyone);
- two new bicycles are also not the cheapest gift;
- a set of elite coffee purchased in a specialized store - this option will be an excellent gift if the newlyweds are coffee lovers;
- various gift certificates to stores or vacation spots that appeal to the couple.
You shouldn’t limit yourself only to silver and items with similar colors. It is important not to forget that the value of a gift is also determined by its creativity . It will be a pleasant surprise for those celebrating the anniversary to receive a video as a gift from people whom they have not seen for a long time and who were unable to come to the celebration. A good gift would be a beautiful frame for several photographs with bright moments in the life of the celebrants, or even a custom-made portrait of the couple.
Presentation of diplomas or medals
In memory of such a significant date, spouses can be presented with a Diploma for the husband and a Diploma for the wife, or custom-made silver medals.
Presenter: - And now our celebrants are solemnly presented with a diploma to loud applause.
HUSBAND'S DIPLOMA
Issued "___" __________201_year
_______________________________________________________________ Full name of the hero of the day
With this diploma we confirm that the hero of the day has completed 25 years of courses for husbands and defended his thesis on the topic “Darlings scold only for fun.”
Behavior is excellent, abilities are as follows:
- Loyal and reliable family man;
- Experienced shopaholic;
- Jack of all trades;
- An excellent earner and conqueror;
- Sensitive teacher
The spouse is awarded the qualification “good husband and caring father”
The diploma is certified and read in the presence of __ witnesses
WIFE'S DIPLOMA
Issued "___" __________201_year
____________________________________________________________ FULL NAME
With this diploma we confirm that our respected wife, mother, friend has completed 25 years of courses for wives and defended her thesis on the topic “The husband is the head, and the wife is the neck.”
Behavior is exemplary, abilities are as follows:
- A faithful wife and a good housewife;
- A born economist;
- Charming and beautiful woman;
- Excellent student, Komsomol member, athlete;
- A wonderful mother and an experienced weather forecaster (the most important thing is the weather in the house).
This diploma confirms the qualification “Caring wife and affectionate mother.”
The diploma is certified and read in the presence of __ witnesses
