Wedding loaves: traditions, signs and tips for young

Wedding loaf is the only tradition that has survived to this day, having undergone very small changes. This is not just a pie, it is a true symbol of love, warmth and tenderness. According to custom, the older generation grants these benefits to the young family.

Any tradition, as well as any custom has its own amazing story. For example, a wedding loaf. In fact, the true name of this rite is "bread and salt". The cake itself was prepared not only on the occasion of a wedding celebration, home baked goods were welcomed by invited guests. The bread baked by the housewife meant wealth. Salt shaker was a talisman from evil spirits. Such an arsenal said that the receiving party asks for God's mercy for its guests.

In ancient times, a loaf baked for a wedding was a symbol of the blessing of a new family. At the meeting, the relatives of the young spouse presented the newlyweds with a special cake, thus making it clear that they would take the bride to their home and would treat her like a daughter. Few people paid attention, but the shape of the pie was not just conceived. Round baking symbolizes the heavenly body - the sun. It gives fertility of crops, and people, respectively, well-being. This kindness lies at the heart of the loaf, and these good wishes are passed on to the young family by the older generation.

In Russia, even the preparation of a wedding loaf proceeded according to custom. Kneading dough and baking bread had the right to a woman who is happy in her marriage and has acquired several children with healthy health. It was believed that the energy and positive attitude with which the cook is endowed are transmitted to the bride and groom. In addition, special attention was paid to decorating the cake, where each image of the decor, fashioned out of dough, had its own designation. Decorations for the loaf could be done after baking the base or from the very beginning:

• united rings speak of marriage;
• spikelet is compared with wealth;
• the image of birds speaks of mutual trust;
• roses are a symbol of beauty;
• Viburnum symbolizes a strong alliance.

In past centuries, weddings were baked in one loaf, with which they met young spouses. All invitees were to receive a piece of holiday bread. But today, views on this issue have changed dramatically. One loaf will not be enough, so the custom allows you to bake two pies for the event. This is especially true of the wedding. It should be noted: in ancient times people always paid attention to omens. Even the process of cooking the loaf was treated as something sacred:

• water and flour for cooking had to be taken from seven different containers;
• harvesting a festive cake into the stove was sent by a married man;
• a bursting loaf was considered a bad sign;
• finished baking should be hidden from prying eyes;
• the process of separating the cake was placed on the shoulders of the godparents of the newlyweds;
• Each guest should try a piece of wedding loaf.

First you need to clarify that the holiday cake should be big. Its size and variety of jewelry promise the newlyweds a blessed and bright future. In our time, of course, you can not waste time baking your own hands, the easiest way to place an order in the bakery. But in this case, the symbolism of happiness and well-being, transferred to the young family from the older generation, will lose its meaning.

The meeting of the newlyweds with the loaf is an ancient Russian rite. The guests arrived in a semicircle, leaving the groom and the bride a large space for passage. Handing young loaf relies mother of the groom. The father, in turn, stands next to his mother and holds in his hands the icon of the Virgin or the Savior. There is a belief that before the meeting of the newlyweds for a festive cake slander special words, thus wishing a young family of peace and goodness.

Serving a loaf on a tray is strictly prohibited. According to Russian custom, there should be no stand. Baked bread is placed on a bench, and on top of it is placed salt shaker, filled with salt. It is important to know that a towel, that is, a towel, must be long, but not in contact with the surface of the earth. At the moment of meeting the young parents carrying the cake blesses the lovers, saying a specially prepared greeting speech. Not necessarily in a poetic form, as long as the sincerity is felt.

At the end of kind words, the phrase “advice and love” is required, which is a prerequisite. After the parents have fulfilled their roles, it is the turn of the bride and groom. In a sign of gratitude and respect, the newlyweds bow to the host party, and the guests applaud. And already after they taste the wedding loaf according to tradition, without the help of hands.

In modern weddings, few people make full use of the Old Slavonic script. Basically everything goes in a modern style, using the traditions of ancient Russia. That is why it is believed that the meeting of the newlyweds can be held near the entrance to the restaurant, and instead of the groom's loaf mom will hold a tray with a special dessert. In fact, replacing the traditional festive cake is considered a creative step. It remains only to decide which dish is more suitable for this process.

• Baguette with red caviar. And cut along. Caviar is laid in the center. Custom requires you to decide who will be the master in the house. For this, the bride and groom need to bite off a loaf, each from his own side, who has a bit more bitten off, he has the main word in the house.
• Berries with cream. Modern brides at the most unforgettable day in their lives do not want to appear before guests with a huge piece of bread in their mouths. Therefore, a special bowl of fruit is organized to meet the young, mostly strawberries are used. Whipped cream is placed in a small bowl. The bride and groom treat each other berries in sweet gravy.

• Chocolate. A very unusual choice for replacing loaf. But it looks very original. For contrast, the bride treats her husband with dark tiles, and the groom chooses a white piece.
• Ice cream. A good way to replace, especially in the summer. The main thing is to decorate beautifully and quickly set so that beauty does not melt in the sun.

• Bagel with honey. Dessert assorted ancient Russia. A great option to replace the loaf. But it is important not to overdo it with honey.
• Fortune Cookies. By the way, not necessarily only cookies. These can be cupcakes or croissants. Newlyweds are invited to close their eyes and choose to touch the favorite pastries. The prediction found must be read out loud to all guests.

• Watermelon. Exclusively for the summer wedding. And for the late summer, otherwise the festive event may result in discomfort of the general state.
• Coffee. This way to replace the loaf came from England. On the tray are two cups of brewed coffee and waiting for the heroes of the occasion.

• Tequila with lime and salt. This combination is chosen by the bride and groom extremely rarely. The only plus is that the salt can be licked from the hands of your soulmate.
• Pizza. The Italian dish is mostly chosen by young couples.Especially if Italy has become the theme of the wedding celebration.

• Fruits on a skewer. Very tasty and elegant, especially if you dip the berries in a chocolate fountain.
• Hamburger. Who would have thought, but a loaf with a chop and vegetables may be a substitute for an unusual wedding loaf.
• Milk with a cake. Quite a pleasant combination of products, especially for children before bedtime. But with this dessert, some couples replace the festive cake.

Today, no one can say for sure what they did with the loaf after the wedding in the old days. Some say one thing, others say another. Out of general opinions, there are five options that can be done with the loaf after the wedding.

• Bitten by the newlyweds bread carried to their home. The loaf was supposed to finish the man. As they say, the more a young husband eats wedding bread, the sooner the firstborn will appear.
• The remaining bread is taken by the newlyweds, dried to the state of crackers. In the period of illness or a black line in life, it is enough to eat just one piece. Health instantly restored, and things will go up the hill.
• The loaf is divided into all guests, and everyone should eat their own piece.
• According to Christian custom, a bitten cake should be brought to church as a donation.
• Complex three-layer loaves were shared in a special way. The upper part is intended for the heroes of the occasion. The second layer is divided into all relatives. The third tier for guests.

A wedding loaf is not just a cake for a festive ceremony, but a whole work of art. Every woman can bake such beauty, but few can make unusual decorations. Wedding bread has a classic round shape, symbolizing the sun and heat. Along the edges of the cake is decorated with a lush pigtail. On the surface there are images of swans and rings. Neat and miniature roses contribute a certain flavor to the overall picture.

For the design of modern wedding cakes, multicolored methods of decorations and an extraordinary approach are used. In this case, the loaf is decorated with images of grape brushes. Along the edges for a variety of color stylistics, artificial rowan sprigs are used. For a big wedding, the size of the loaf should be appropriate, especially considering that each layer has its own special purpose. The decoration of this cake is made in the old Russian style. Mostly there are images of wildflowers and plants. Roses on the top layer of loaf symbolize purity and love, which is just suitable for a wedding celebration.

To learn how to make a loaf for the wedding with your own hands, see the next video.