In previous Soviet and post-Soviet times, it was difficult to imagine a wedding celebration without a bride price, but generations of young people change, and wedding fashion also changes. For a variety of reasons, newlyweds refuse to have the groom wandering around his beloved’s entrance covered with homemade posters, solving simple puzzles for him and fishing out small items and candies from his pockets. Yes, ransom is becoming unpopular , but the question of how to take a bride away from home beautifully without a ransom remains.
If the newlyweds decide to do without the traditional bride price, so be it, you can always find an alternative
One of the reasons for the reluctance of ransom is the need for serious preparation on the part of witnesses and the groom. In fact, on the eve of the wedding there is somewhere to direct useful energy even without this - last minute chores, calls, confirmation of agreements, meeting and accommodation of visiting guests, women's manicure and decorating the cars of the wedding cortege. And on the wedding day, you can simply sleep longer with a good mood and a solid supply of time to complete the final preparations, meet the groom at the bride’s house without a ransom and go to the main celebration.
Photo of a traditional bride price
If you decide to do without a bride price
At the request of the bride and groom, the time of the ransom, which both decided to refuse, can be spent on sleep, getting ready for the wedding, a beauty salon or a photo shoot. This is probably why young people are increasingly refusing home-grown entrance tests for their beloved - anyway, everything has already been decided, this couple will get married, and there is no point in organizing a free show for neighbors in the unsightly entrance of an old Khrushchev-era building.
The simplest, most worthy and very short-term alternative to ransoming the bride is that the groom, at the head of the wedding cortege, drives up to the bride’s house (at this moment you can honk all the cars), goes up to her apartment and asks the beloved’s parents for permission/blessing to marry their daughter. It is clear that the moment is symbolic , because it has already been discussed for a long time, but it is still beautiful - you can present the future father-in-law with expensive cognac, and the future mother-in-law with a chic bouquet of flowers and a box of elite chocolate. After this, the groom goes into the bride’s room, kneels down and gives her a wedding bouquet, the happy lovers go down to the cars - a farewell victory car horn blows, and the entire cortege heads to the registry office.
Photo of the wedding procession at the bride's house
How to meet newlyweds after the registry office: the scenario of a Christian ritual
If the newlyweds and their parents adhere to Christian traditions and want the ceremony to take place exactly according to the rules, it is best to first consult with the priest of the church that the newlyweds attended. He will tell you how to greet the groom's young parents after the registry office, what icons should be in their hands and what words are best for them to say.
The blessing itself is carried out immediately before the room in which the wedding feast will take place. Guests and parents of the newlyweds arrive in advance. A young husband and wife, as a rule, go for photo shoots or walks after the registry office. And if they immediately head to the banquet place, they should not rush so that all the invitees have time to get ready.
How to hold a professional wedding without paying a price?
Typically, such ideas come to the minds of people with extreme professions - firefighters, rescuers, rock climbers, industrial climbers . Physically fit and courageous men, for obvious reasons, want to exclude the bride's entrance from their wedding itinerary. Therefore, driving a lift or a fire truck with a ladder to the bride’s house and climbing it to the nth floor or descending from the roof using climbing equipment costs such desperate individuals nothing. Original? - Yes! Very unsafe? - Yes too. Having made such, frankly speaking, a rather risky decision, a man must be confident in his skills and the bride’s nerves of steel.
Photo of an extreme groom at the bride's house
Those who do not have experience in rock climbing and passing an obstacle course through fire, water and copper pipes should not despair. If the groom is rich in musical abilities, knows how to play a musical instrument or sings great (and even if not great, it’s still possible) a romantic mini-concert in the bride’s apartment or a flash mob dance will definitely delight the entire female half of those present. You can give a beautiful, hand-painted portrait of the bride (but here professionalism is required: an ugly image on canvas will definitely not delight anyone). With imagination and good intentions, witnesses and the groom will always come up with something to replace the bride price at a wedding.
Photo of the groom and his friends dancing at the bride's house
Reasons for abandoning the tradition of redemption
Refusal to ransom can be explained by the following reasons:
- Considering that for many decades weddings took place according to the same classic scenario, this tradition has exhausted itself;
- most couples cohabit before marriage, so a buyout seems inappropriate;
- any couple wants their wedding to be exclusive and original, therefore they do not want to adhere to generally accepted canons;
- A simpler option is to meet the future spouse at the bride’s house, from where he (with the permission of the parents) takes her to the registry office.
An alternative scenario for the meeting of the bride and groom without ransom
We have looked at the options for taking the bride away from home - such ideas are more traditional and often just habitual. In addition, they can be easily reduced in time if the couple is late for the registry office. But there are also romantic, very beautiful scenarios that will leave unforgettable memories and stunning photo and video footage.
For example, witnesses can organize a meeting of lovers at the place where they first saw each other or had their first date (first kiss, declaration of love, etc.). Such a place can be a park, a theater, a beach or an embankment, a university square - lovers meet each other halfway, their touching meeting takes place, memories come flooding back, and maybe even tears. What ransom at the entrance can compare with this? And, of course, such moments must be captured as a memory.
Photo of the first meeting of the bride and groom in the park instead of ransom
Instead of a ransom, you can have a buffet - outdoors, if the weather permits (for example, in the same park or on the embankment), or at the bride’s home. The newlyweds met, hugged and kissed, those present rejoiced for them, everyone drank a symbolic drink, ate light sandwiches and headed to the registry office. Such a light snack will actually turn out to be very timely - it will both defuse the situation and an opportunity to relieve some nervousness, and a nutritious boost of energy for this long and joyful special day.
For those who do not want to bother at all with a meeting before official registration - time, for example, does not allow - you can simply come to the registry office in different cars and meet at the official ceremony. Remember Catholic wedding rites: the groom patiently waits for his beloved at the altar, and she slowly walks towards him, accompanied by her father or another relative, catching the admiring glances of those present. Of course, there is no altar in the registry office, but such a beginning of the official ceremony can be thought through.
Photo of the bride and groom in the registry office
It is worth understanding that bride price “according to the rules” can be really very interesting and positive only for relaxed and sociable men, prone to acting and active communication. Believe me, a modest and romantic groom who does not know how to improvise can be driven to a faint state by passing competitions, ribbons, coupons, sayings and jokes. For such individuals, it is better either something natural - like “come and pick up”, or intellectual, without dancing in a basin, soap bubbles and other ransom tinsel. For such grooms, a wedding quest is optimal.
WEDDING TRADITIONS CURRENT IN THE MODERN WEDDING PROGRAM
There are a huge number of wedding traditions, which we discussed in the previous article.
And which of them will be relevant in 2022?
Let us remind you that each family has its own traditions and priorities. For some, some customs will be irrelevant, but for others they are simply necessary! But we will still look at those traditions that are widely used at modern weddings.
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Quest for the groom instead of ransom
Let meeting your bride turn into an extraordinary adventure ! The essence of the quest consists of various tasks that the groom must solve with the help of tips and his faithful friends. The tasks, of course, are compiled taking into account the wedding theme - these are questions about the bride and her parents, about the moments of acquaintance and the candy-bouquet period, etc. Having solved one riddle, the groom receives the key to the next one, goes through key points of the route - at each such point, one of the bridesmaids will give out a new clue. Step by step, solving riddles, puzzles, charades, the groom moves towards his cherished goal .
Photo of a quest for the groom instead of ransom
Of course, bridesmaids need to prepare for such a quest in advance: create a clear script, beautifully arrange the tips, and provide for unexpected turns of events. You shouldn’t think of something very complicated - it will disrupt the pace, overload the groom, and the pauses that arise are not very conducive to a positive mood and romantic mood. So that the candies, fruits and small change prepared by the groom and his groomsmen do not go to waste, you can charge a certain fee for each clue to the riddle: if you don’t guess the first time, we will give you another hint for the candy.
If the bride lives in a private house, the wedding is held outside the city or just in the open air, you can link the scenario to a map of the area - such a picture, supplemented with newspaper clippings and pieces of photographs, looks stylish and makes the adventure more understandable and original.
Any alternative to the traditional ransom must be interesting and safe, it is designed to emphasize the solemnity and romance of the moment of the first meeting
Meeting at home
Residents of big cities and small villages are increasingly refusing the long, sometimes tedious procedure of communicating with neighbors, who demand their ransom, often in the form of alcohol.
To avoid such communication, it is better to meet the groom directly at the bride’s house. The first competition or riddle that will be prepared for the newlywed bridesmaid, he will have to complete as soon as he crosses the threshold of the apartment.
Its further progress continues as new tasks are completed. The bridesmaids and parents of the bride can hide the girl not in her room, but in her parents’ bedroom. This is necessary in order to confuse the young man and make him worry.
A wedding without a price will not be a dreary event, because the meeting of the newlyweds can be prepared according to a pre-drafted scenario with the participation of guests and relatives.
It is important not to prolong the entertainment program and not to overdo it with competitions and tasks for the groom.
The future husband will hand a bottle of champagne to the bridesmaids, knock on the door of the room where the young beauty is waiting for him, enter, and they will be left alone. In these few minutes, friends and guests can drink champagne, say a few words about the groom and his bride, and wish the parents all the best.
If there is no desire to meet the groom in the apartment, then the meeting is moved to the courtyard. The groom and his friends will come here and perform a serenade or modern dance under his beloved’s window. Accompanied by her friends, the girl in a wedding dress will go out into the street, where she will fall into the arms of her future husband.
To the clink of glasses filled with champagne, they will say their vows to each other and head to the car leading the wedding procession.
A night together
Another not very common option is for the couple to spend the night together, after which they dress together and go to the registration authorities. This scenario is possible for people who already live together. This kind of plan can also be accompanied by photography and video filming. The most important thing is to prepare everything beautifully: decorate your apartment or house with flowers, balloons, and ribbons.
Place of meeting or first date
Only the place where a couple met or had their first date can convey the most vivid feelings and emotional state. That is why holding the first meeting of the bride and groom in such a place will be not only appropriate, but also desirable. This place will fill lovers with pleasant memories and give a feeling of euphoria, which will warm up the moment of this meeting. This could be a park, a cafe or a restaurant. This is the place where lovers not only met for the first time, but also began to get to know each other.
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Wherever the place is chosen for the first meeting of the bride and groom, it is important to remember that this moment is very important on the wedding day. Even if the meeting will be held at a fountain or in a park, it must be carefully prepared, using all the tips and options for organizing the meeting. After all, the emotions and feelings that lovers experience at the moment of this meeting cannot be replaced or corrected. Therefore, you should think through everything in advance to the smallest detail and be sure to arrange the most unforgettable day of your life.
Tips for organizing a buyout
The ransom precedes the wedding and sets the mood for the whole day, so it is very important to have fun and without misunderstandings. The bride should feel like a beautiful lady whose hand and heart the groom is fighting for, and not isolated from the general fun. Therefore, you can involve the bride in absentia in the ransom using the Internet, telephone and other technologies.
- If you have already decided how to meet the groom at the bride price, have prepared tricky competitions and funny sayings, remember that the groom must arrive at the registry office without stains on his suit or twisted ankles. It is better to avoid jumping on steps, drinking three-liter cans of juice and eating onions.
- Frankly, at almost every wedding there is an overly cheerful guest who pulls the blanket over himself. If there is such an opportunity, then it is better to think right away who will participate in the ransom, and explain to the other guests that only the groom and a few of his close friends are buying, and not all the relatives who will be pushing into the entrance. Even if there are some grievances on the part of relatives, then this slightly unpleasant moment is worth it so that the ransom goes smoothly as planned.
- Guests, the groom, his friends and girlfriends should be warned that they should not drink for courage before the ransom. Anxiety can be calmed down by willpower or a light sedative, but showing up at the ransom in a tipsy state is bad form. This will not look fun at all, as is commonly thought, but will only add awkwardness.
- The groom, of course, must try with all his might to pass the tests, but there is no point in being excessively greedy. It looks ugly and can offend the bride.
- It is necessary to exclude all vulgar competitions from the ransom, and also ask all the groom's friends to avoid indecent jokes during the ransom. There are bachelor parties for such things, and since you have come to pick up a bride, you need to behave with proper manners.
- If there is a competition with drawing out pieces of paper on the topic “for what reason are you getting married,” you don’t need to write on them “out of the blue,” “because I’m out of my mind,” “they forced me.” It’s entirely possible to come up with other funny answers or remove this competition altogether. If you are planning to make your guests laugh, then you don’t need to do it by offending the bride.
Luxurious hotel
This option is suitable for lovers of luxury and style. In advance, before the wedding, the newlyweds or the wedding organizer book a hotel room. In addition to choosing a luxurious room for the first meeting, it is also prepared for the event. The photographer and videographer must wait inside. It would also be a good idea to hold such a meeting near the hotel itself. The chic façade of the building and the decoration around it will create a wonderful setting and atmosphere for such a meeting and successful photo and video shooting.
Nature or park
Regardless of the time of year, the park will be an excellent place for the first meeting of the bride and groom. It doesn't have to be big. A small park is also quite suitable, but you should choose a place where pets are not walked. It’s the same with an outdoor meeting in nature. The romance of seclusion between the newlyweds and others not only brings them closer together, but also gives a lot of positive emotions that you will want to endlessly review in the frame of a wedding video or photo.
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Where to meet the groom before registering a marriage – 3 ideas
Among the many scenarios, the most popular are those under which the groom sees the bride in a wedding dress for the first time:
- among flowering trees and bushes in the alleys of the city park;
- in one of the hotel rooms or in its lobby;
- immediately before the ceremonial registration at the registry office.
This moment is the most touching and important.
The groom's reaction is sometimes so unusual and unexpected that it can confuse everyone around him.
Near the registry office
You can organize a meeting of the groom near the registry office according to a pre-prepared scenario:
- The bride, accompanied by her girlfriends and close relatives, arrives at the Wedding Palace a few minutes before the groom and his friends.
- After the car with the future spouse appears, the bride is hidden in a crowd of bridesmaids. The girls pretend that they do not know that the groom has arrived alone. They answer all questions that they themselves are waiting and no one told them where the bride is at the moment.
- Of course, the guests are ready to help the groom find his chosen one, but they make him a little nervous and worried.
- At that moment, when the tension reaches its extreme point, a young beauty suddenly appears behind the groom.
The young man sees his beloved in a wedding dress for the first time; he cannot hide his admiration and gives her the first gift - a wedding bouquet.
Now they can say the words of the oath to their friend and, holding hands, proceed to the hall where the solemn registration of the marriage will take place.
A wedding without a price will not become boring and will not lose its originality. You can meet the groom at the entrance to the rented premises intended for on-site registration.
Where to find a bride? In one of the restaurant halls or even in the utility room. After the night before the wedding, which the newlyweds spent apart, they will see each other for the first time in wedding dresses.
The moment of meeting is one of the most touching. Now the boy and girl must be alone for a while, but this exciting moment is preceded by the completion of tasks invented for the groom by the bridesmaids.
Finding his beloved among the many corridors of the hotel is not easy, but the groom is ready to go through any tests in order to meet his chosen one.
The young man is offered several keys and told that he has to find the door behind which the bride is located.
Going on a search, the young man must go through several floors and corridors, where clues await him.
It could be a barely noticeable arrow painted on the wall, a bouquet of flowers with a bright ribbon near one of the rooms, which does not fit into the overall interior of the hotel. The reward for patience and determination will be a long-awaited meeting with your beloved.
Rooftop with city view
This meeting takes place at a hotel where a room for the bride is booked in advance. She cleans up her room. To do this, they invite a hairdresser and makeup artist to this room so that the bride does not waste her precious time going to the beauty salon. When the bride is ready for the meeting, she is taken to the open area of the hotel roof, accompanied by a photographer and videographer. There the bride is waiting for her groom. This option for holding the first meeting is one of the most vivid and memorable, since it is filled with the versatility of positive emotions. This long-awaited romantic meeting is complemented by a gorgeous panoramic view, where lovers can retire and capture this moment in photos and videos.
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