What does a loaf symbolize at a wedding: traditions and modernity

"Bread and salt." Where did the tradition come from?

“Bread and Salt” tradition in ancient times was associated not only with wedding rituals. dear guests were greeted with round bread baked by the hostess of the house . Bread was associated with wealth, and salt served as a talisman against evil spirits.

It was salt that was considered a symbol of a bright, sinless soul. Such a meeting meant an invocation of God's mercy on the guest and established friendly family ties between the participants in this action.

In Ancient Russia, the loaf was a sign of blessing the young for a long and happy life. The groom's parents greeted the newlyweds with special wedding bread in their hands, accepting their son's chosen one into their family.

The round shape of the product resembled the sun , which gives fertility to the earth and satiety and well-being to people. These wishes were passed on to the young during the ceremony.

Customs

Although such wedding rituals as the meeting of the newlyweds with a loaf of bread are gradually becoming a thing of the past, many still observe the tradition and at the same time carry out the rituals listed below.

• In the old days, single boys and girls knew the exact time to put a loaf in the oven. At this moment, the guys, wanting to quickly find their betrothed, jumped up three times, and the young ladies carried a tub of water out of the house into the yard.
• If there were pieces of dough left after preparing ritual bread, various figures were baked from them, into which coins were placed. They were distributed to the poor.
• After baking a loaf, the future of the young people is judged by its appearance. According to popular belief, a ruddy, beautiful top promises a happy life; a crack is considered a bad sign. A bad omen and a burnt crust.
• Before being presented to the bride and groom, the wedding loaf is carefully protected from prying eyes and stored in a towel in a secluded place.
• Parents invite newlyweds to dip broken pieces of loaf in salt and eat. It was believed that in this way the young people “eat up” all their tears.
• The decorations from the top of the wedding bread were taken apart by unmarried girls. They were placed under the pillow in the hope of seeing the betrothed in a dream. Some believed that pieces of loaf would help them get married faster.
• It was not customary to refuse a loaf of bread. This was a sign of disrespect for the young spouses. Now this tradition is also followed.
• The newlyweds kept the wedding loaf after the wedding: the tradition of drying it and carrying a piece with them as an amulet had a special meaning. Soldiers took such amulets with them to war. It was believed that they would save the defenders from danger.

Interesting!

Symbolism

Everything about the preparation of wedding bread was symbolic. It had to be kneaded and baked by a woman who had a happy family life and had healthy children. It was believed that she passed on her positive energy to the newlyweds. They tried to decorate the baked product in a festive manner.

Each decorative element had a special meaning:

• rings were associated with marriage;
• spikelets - fertility and prosperity;
• doves or swans - the fidelity of spouses;
• rose – femininity, beauty;
• viburnum - love, unity;
• Kosa – the bride’s readiness to become a wife.

In ancient times, one loaf was baked, which was intended for the meeting of the newlyweds in the groom's house. However, it was believed that every guest had to taste the wedding bread, since it was a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

Today, when organizing weddings with a large number of guests, the newlyweds sometimes have a question: is one loaf enough? Quite, because the guests will not take a huge slice for themselves, but a small piece.

Advice! Choose the weight and size of the product based on the number of guests.

It is permissible to prepare two loaves for a wedding, especially if a wedding is planned on the same day. Then the young people leave the second bread in the church as a gift.

What to do with the loaf?

After the ritual and custom itself, many married couples have a completely legitimate question about what to do with baking. Under no circumstances should you throw away the bread product. There are several options that can be considered ideal:

1. Cut into equal parts and distribute to the godparents of the bride and groom.
2. Give it to the young people.
3. Distribute to all guests present.

Previously, the baked goods were only cut and distributed to guests. Nowadays, practically no one does this. Many parents take the remaining buns for themselves, eating them the next day. Alternatively, the product can be displayed on the banquet table of the second wedding day.

Where to order?

In ancient times, this special bread was baked in the groom's family. Nowadays it is customary to make it to order. Confectionery shops, bakeries, cafes, and private craftsmen can offer their services . The cost of the product varies depending on the weight and decorative features.

The average price of a beautiful loaf (1.5 kg) is 1000-1500 rubles. A more luxurious option will cost 1500-2000 rubles. You can order small wedding bread (1 kg) from private individuals, even from 300-500 rubles.

Important! When choosing a place where you will order a loaf for your wedding, trust the recommendations of your friends and study the reviews of previous clients.

What should wedding bread be like?

In ancient times, it was believed that the size and quality of the loaf also predicted the fate of the young. If it turned out to be magnificent and tall, then this promised prosperity in the new family. Bread that was too brown testified to the grumpy nature of the future spouse.

Today, young people can choose the appearance of the loaf themselves. It could even be a simple butter bread with a small indentation in the center for a salt shaker. However, it is better for it to look festive.

Delicious round-shaped bread with beautiful dough figures will delight newlyweds and their guests. Please ensure that the figures on the finished product are positioned correctly. So, if birds are used for decoration, then they should be directed towards each other, which indicates the unity of the souls of the newlyweds.

Preparing the dough

Pour a glass of milk (you can also use water) into a container. The liquid does not need to be heated too much; it should be at normal room temperature, not boiling water.

• 
  Wedding day cards - which one to choose? 150 photos, best ideas, new products + instructions for creating a wedding card with your own hands

• Wedding in winter: pros, cons and features (+45 photos)

• Outdoor wedding - organization ideas, tips and recommendations (62 photos + video)

Next, you need to dissolve 20 grams of yeast in a container with liquid. This substance must be stirred well so that there are no lumps left. Add a spoonful of white sugar and continue stirring.

Next you need to add flour to the container. If you have a sieve, you need to use it and sift a glass of flour. The dough should not be liquid. In order for the dough to brew well, you need to leave it to “rest.” An hour is enough time to continue working with the dough.

After an hour, the dough needs to be taken out; by this time it should have risen. Now we need to slightly heat the dough in a bowl of warm water.

How does the ceremony take place?

For the loaf ritual you will need some more accessories :

1. a salt shaker is usually placed on the bread;
2. a beautiful towel for presenting wedding bread;
3. icon for blessing the young;
4. glasses with wine, champagne.

Who meets

According to ancient tradition, the newlyweds are greeted by the groom's parents . The mother holds bread on an embroidered towel and pronounces parting words. The father blesses with an icon symbolizing the spiritual traditions of the young family.

Read a more detailed article about how to properly greet the newlyweds with bread and salt.

What should young people do?

• The most common version of the loaf ritual is to determine the future owner of the house. The young take a bite from the loaf . Whose piece turns out to be larger wins. It is also possible to simply treat each other with bread, after salting it.
• After treating the loaf of bread, the newlyweds are also offered to drink wine. Having drained the glasses completely, the bride and groom must break them on the ground .
• After blessing the icon, the newlyweds need to kiss it as a sign of acceptance of Christian covenants.
• At the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds thank their parents and kiss them .

Fortune Teller

Nowadays, a popular tradition is when newlyweds break off a piece of a loaf or bite off without helping with their hands, trying to get a larger piece. The belief says that the one whose piece turns out to be larger will be the head of the family. Tamara Solntseva

Previously, after marriage, the bride moved into the groom's house. It was there that the newlyweds were met by their parents with a loaf of bread. Today it is handed over at the venue of the festive banquet, immediately before the start of the feast. At the same time, parents give a pre-prepared parting speech. And the guests line up in a semicircle and add their wishes. After the ritual, the celebration begins.

There were different traditions of dividing bread. According to the first, the top part of the baked goods was intended for the newlyweds, the middle for the guests of the holiday, and the bottom for the musicians. Jewelry went to unmarried girls present at the holiday.

Interesting! Some were convinced that giving away wedding bread was not good. They believed that in this way the newlyweds gave away their family happiness and well-being to the guests. Such families preferred to take the entire loaf into their home.

Sometimes the loaf was shared by one of the older relatives. He handed a piece of festive bread to the parents of the bride and groom, then they treated the guests of the holiday . For each piece, those present contributed a symbolic fee to the young couple's treasury. The remaining bread was distributed to the poor. The loaf was so big that there was enough for everyone.

Nowadays, few people know about the tradition of sharing wedding ritual bread. As a rule, newly-made spouses keep the loaf for themselves and store it in a towel or simply use it as bread at the festive table. Some take it to church as a donation.

What can be replaced?

Modern creative couples can be offered original alternatives to the traditional loaf :

1. Sandwiches with caviar symbolize wealth and prosperity.
2. Berries with cream. The young people treat each other by dipping the berries in cream.
3. Bagels with honey. One bagel is broken in half and dipped in honey.
4. Black and white chocolate. The groom takes black chocolate and the bride white, then they treat each other.
5. Baking with fortunes. The newlyweds choose a cookie, cupcake or croissant, break it and read the prediction.
6. Fruits on skewers.
7. Ice cream.
8. Pizza.
9. Cake.
10. Watermelon slices.

Photo examples

In the pictures and photographs below you can see a variety of options for wedding bread, as well as patterns for it: