A loaf for a wedding, what can I say. Wedding loaf - traditions

- This is a symbol of hospitality, prosperity and happiness; young people are greeted with this product and guests are treated to it. It is not difficult to properly organize the ceremony of meeting the newlyweds; the main thing is to know some of the nuances.

Scenario for the meeting of the bride and groom with a loaf

The parents of both parties, the bride and groom, as well as invited guests are involved in this important custom - meeting with a loaf of bread.
And, usually, the meeting of the young with a loaf goes as follows:

On the threshold of the banquet hall are the groom's parents, who are holding a festive loaf on a towel, as a symbol of a successful married life.
The newlyweds walk along the path between the guests, who shower them with flower petals, coins and, sometimes, candy.

Guests joyfully greet the bride and groom. The greeting takes place to the music and applause of those invited to the celebration.

Next, the parents pronounce words of blessing and parting words for future life.
The bride and groom break off a piece of wedding bread, salt it (salt is usually poured into the center of the loaf or a salt shaker is placed on a tray), and treat each other. Salt plays an important role in this ritual, the young people “eat a pound of salt” together, and their future life will be happy, joyful and sweet.

You can’t just bite a loaf, it’s considered a bad sign. But often lovers do not know about this. You need to break off a little bit from your piece of loaf.

Then the newlyweds are served champagne in glasses, which must be drunk to the last drop. Wine glasses are often broken, it is believed to be good luck.
And at the end of this beautiful ritual, the bride and groom bow to their parents and thank them.

Preparing guests for the newlyweds' meeting

After the wedding at the registry office and a photo shoot, the newlyweds drive up to the banquet venue: a cafe, restaurant, veranda or dining room. But the parents of the newly-made spouses should arrive earlier. First of all, the meeting of the newlyweds after the registry office with bread and salt should be carefully organized!

Guests can also arrive a little earlier than the bride and groom to learn how to properly greet the newlyweds. The invitees must have time to prepare: distribute grain, coins, line up the guests in a living corridor for the solemn meeting of the lovers. The main thing for those invited is not to overdo it: not to forcefully throw the received attribute at the young people, so as not to injure them. After all, a coin or candy can hurt, but the newlyweds have no need to be upset on this day.

The best thing is to throw grain and money at the feet of the young, thereby paving their future path with wealth and prosperity.

Who greets the newlyweds with a loaf of bread

If you strictly follow traditions, then the loaf should be held by the groom’s mother on a beautiful towel. According to long-standing customs, it is she, as the mistress of the house, who welcomes her daughter-in-law into her home with love and care. The young woman will now live with her husband’s parents in the house as one big family. But in our time, when newlyweds often live separately at once, this part of the ritual is sometimes neglected.

How parents greet newlyweds with a loaf of bread

Now the loaf can be held by the mother of the bride or two mothers together, this signifies the reunion of two families. The main thing is to choose a peaceful, positive solution that will suit everyone. The newlyweds are greeted with bread and salt sincerely and joyfully.

The role of fathers in the ritual of meeting young people

Since the loaf itself is usually held by the mothers, the fathers of the newlyweds at this time also take part, albeit not as important, in the wedding ritual:

One father holds a tray with glasses of champagne, sometimes they also put a bowl of honey or an apple on it to make life sweet.
The second father holds one or two icons, one of which should be the icon of the Mother of God. They symbolize the high spirituality of further life together.
Parents bless their children for a successful, happy married life.
Usually the groom's parents say the blessing first, and then the bride's parents.

The ritual of treating guests to a wedding loaf

After the newlyweds meet with a loaf of bread, everyone usually enters the hall to celebrate such an important solemn day. Another important ritual with a loaf at a wedding is the treat. Serving wedding bread is possible both immediately and at the end of the feast. If, according to the scenario, the refreshment takes place at the beginning of the banquet, then after everyone has taken their seats, the bride and groom go around the guests without fail. Nuances of the ritual of treating a wedding loaf:

The young people, starting with their parents, take turns treating them to a loaf of bread, breaking off small pieces.
Often a tray is carried next to the loaf of bread, where guests put their gifts for the newlyweds.
You cannot hold auctions for a loaf of bread as a wedding attribute, because bread is sacred. And you need to share it only disinterestedly with pure, kind thoughts.
If the loaf is served at the end of the celebration, then it is placed in the center of the table and before the end of the feast, the loaf is divided into pieces for the guests.

Speech by parents when meeting newlyweds at a wedding

Since the groom’s mother is holding the loaf, she usually says the first parting words. The speech for the newlyweds’ meeting should not be very long, but also meaningful. You can choose words in poetic form and learn them by heart. A good option in prose too. Of course, it is advisable to rehearse your speech before the celebration, so as not to get confused at an important and touching moment.

Possible options for a solemn speech in verse and prose:

“Dear newlyweds, we sincerely wish you happiness and love for many years to come! May your tender feelings always be mutual. Let your home be filled with happiness, prosperity, and prosperity. Let the laughter of children be heard every day!”
“Our dear ___ and ___! With all our hearts we wish you peace, mutual understanding, mutual respect, great prosperity for your home and many children! Be happy for many years to come!
"We greet you with bread and salt
with our great love,
so that for many years
We were always happy together!”
“Let everything in this life
You will be very happy!
Good luck, happiness and love to you
Until your wedding, golden!”
“Our dear children! The hour has come when you have already grown up and are creating your own family. I wish you great happiness, may there be only white streaks in your life, and may the dark ones pass you by.”

After the young people have tasted the loaf and drank champagne, the fathers should also express parting words. You can simply say in a few words that the young husband is now the head of the family, is obliged to take care and protect his wife, and the young wife must be a good housewife and caring mother to future children. It is necessary to mention that young people can always count on the help of their parents in difficult times.

And, of course, it is better to write words of instructions, wishes, blessings personally, putting a piece of your soul into them. Such a speech always sounds sincere, touching and sincere.

The meeting of the bride and groom is an important and solemn event, because it is held by the parents of the newlyweds. They offer warm wishes to their children, bless the new family and offer parting words. Most often, the parents’ speech is touching and serious, but the meeting can also take place in a comic form with ditties and songs. According to the wedding day plan, the blessing ceremony takes place before the start of the celebration in the restaurant. Almost no meeting of newlyweds is complete without a wedding loaf, which symbolizes the wealth and benefits that the spouses will need to create a lasting and strong union. The newlyweds eat a piece of bread, drink a sip of wine and break glasses - now they can go to the celebration hall to celebrate!

On the wedding portal site you will learn how the meeting of the newlyweds takes place after registration at the registry office, as well as what traditions and customs parents adhere to when meeting their beloved children.

Meeting the bride and groom: important attributes

Parents prepare in advance for the ceremonial meeting of the newlyweds with a loaf of bread. It is necessary to think through every little detail to make the event look decent. To do this, you need to acquire all the necessary attributes and symbols that are traditionally used when meeting newlyweds.

Important attributes for meeting newlyweds:

What icon do young people meet with?

The scenario of even the most modern wedding involves blessing the newlyweds in Christian customs. The tradition of welcoming newlyweds with an icon dates back to ancient times, when in Christian families parents gave icons to spouses to create a “red corner” in the house, where they could always pray and ask for God’s protection. To this day, the meeting of the bride and groom is not complete without church traditions. However, what icon do the parents of the bride and groom greet the young couple with? It has long been customary to bless a son with an icon of the Savior, while the mother and father of the bride bless their daughter with an icon of the Mother of God. In need and in joy, young people can always pray and ask for protection.

How to meet young people after the registry office

Many parents do not know how to greet the newlyweds with bread and salt and what to say as parting words, so they invite an experienced toastmaster to do this. However, the words of the parents carry important weight for the newly-made family, so even if your holiday is being hosted by the host, be sure to say a few sincere words to your son and daughter. A meeting of young people can take place in different formats, but most often it is a fun or touching event.

Two ways to meet young people:

Previously, everyone knew the traditions, so there were no questions - everyone knew what and when they needed to do or say at the wedding. Now the old rules are being forgotten, so parents do not always know how to greet young people with a loaf of bread correctly. Many parents of newlyweds have questions: how to prepare and decorate a wedding loaf, how to greet the newlyweds, what to say when meeting the mother of the groom?

The role of rituals

Such customs form the invisible framework of the wedding scenario. Even if the bride and groom do not realize it, many of their actions are also a kind of tradition. The white wedding dress, the kiss that seals the marriage - all this has passed through the centuries, only minor details change.

Following traditions does not mean that the wedding will be the same as everyone else's. Now there is a tendency to either hold a wedding in a Western style, or completely abandon any customs in favor of a calm celebration in the family circle. Those couples who observe the long-standing traditions of their people at their wedding always look more original and natural.

This move not only makes the wedding cozy and harmonious, but also allows you to create the right atmosphere for a stylized celebration. If the wedding takes place in accordance with the theme of a particular country, then the future newlyweds can adopt several of its customs to make the celebration more lively and interesting. This applies not only to Slavic themes, but also to European ones - English, French, Italian, Spanish - since these countries also have a rich history, rich in traditions. You can learn more about the wedding traditions of European countries.

The role of baking at the holiday

Nowadays it is customary to treat wedding guests to a large and richly decorated cake, but in the past homemade cakes of all shapes and sizes were popular. The newlyweds themselves were also treated to a culinary masterpiece from the oven - a round, large loaf of bread, shining in the light, with patterns in the form of an ethnic ornament. Each element of this design was carefully thought out and:

braids and weaving - sealing the destinies of the newlyweds and their future children into one common one;
viburnum and roses - a wish for mutual love and respect;
two swans - a symbol of the newlyweds themselves, who swore eternal fidelity to each other;
grapes are a symbol of fertility, a wish for quick, strong and healthy offspring.

The loaf itself is unsweetened white bread, most often round in shape, since it symbolizes the sun. This wedding cake represents the unity of two hearts, as well as fertility, prosperity and prosperity.. It was with the loaf that the wedding feast began, and the salt served with it symbolized a comfortable life.

The wedding celebration begins with the meeting of the newlyweds with a loaf and the words of the parents. The newlyweds, after the official wedding ceremony, must break off or bite off a piece of this traditional wedding pastry. It is believed that the one who has more will be the head of the family. You can do with the rest of the loaf at your discretion: give it to guests, take it home with you to eat whole or dry.

In another variation of this tradition, the bride and groom break off a piece of baked goods, sprinkle it with salt and feed it to each other. It is believed that at this moment they can “annoy” each other for the last time, and after that they should live in harmony and peace. After that the salt can be poured into a fabric bag to keep as a keepsake.

Features of the tradition

The wedding loaf was always baked in the groom's family, and this particular task went to a married relative who was happily married and had several healthy children. If the mother matched the description, then she took upon herself the responsibility of making a wedding masterpiece. Widows, single or childless relatives were not allowed to participate in this important stage, since it was believed that they could pass on some of their troubles to the newlyweds. While kneading the dough, the woman sang cheerful songs about love, happiness and peace, and when the bread went into the oven, she read prayers over it.

Sometimes the groom's male relatives also got to take part in making the loaf. When the dough was ready, a happily married man with numerous and strong offspring sent it to the oven, and then the woman came to the fore again.

Who holds the loaf when the newlyweds meet? The ceremony of meeting the newlyweds with a loaf of bread after the wedding was organized by the groom’s parents. His mother held a loaf of bread in her hands on a rushnik (towel) specially embroidered for this day. Most often, the decoration of this accessory was entrusted to the bride during preparations for the wedding, and the pattern could be made in any way. Doves were often depicted as a symbol of love, or roosters as the personification of the beginning of a new life for the newlyweds.

Previously, the meeting of the newlyweds with a loaf of bread after the wedding took place on the threshold of the house of the groom's parents, since it was there that the married couple was to settle. This is also due to the fact that the making of baked goods was entrusted to the family by the newlywed. Nowadays, newlyweds in most cases, after the official wedding, go to a banquet, and do not live with their parents at all, so the parents of the newlyweds meet them with a loaf, as a rule, at the entrance to a cafe or restaurant.

Guests also take part in this tradition: they form a kind of living corridor, standing on both sides of the road to the doors of the establishment, and shower the newlyweds with millet, oats, rice, coins, sweets or flower petals. This is how friends and relatives wish the newly-made spouses happiness and prosperity in the family.

The words of the mother-in-law when meeting the newlyweds with a loaf of bread must be prepared in advance, since the congratulatory speech must be coherent and come from the heart. It is not forbidden to read the text as written, but it will look more impressive if it is memorized.

Other parents also have their roles in this tradition. The mother of the bride holds two glasses of champagne or a soft drink in her hands. After the newlyweds try the loaf, they empty their glasses and break them, throwing them over their left shoulder for good luck. The mother-in-law can also accompany this process with words of congratulations. The words of the bride's mother for meeting the newlyweds with a loaf can also be prepared in advance. The groom's father usually holds an apple on a tray so that the newlyweds can snack on champagne, and the bride's father holds an icon for blessing.

Toastmaster's speech

If at a wedding, then he needs to accompany each stage of the celebration with comments, including the meeting of the newlyweds at the door of a cafe or restaurant.

A professional toastmaster knows how to greet young people with a loaf of bread and what to say. After the registry office, the bride and groom usually go to a photo shoot, and guests wait for them at the banquet hall. The presenter makes sure that everyone stands in their place and knows what to do and say when the young people meet with the loaf. The words of the toastmaster during the performance of this tradition may be the following:

“Dear newlyweds (names of the bride and groom)! At this solemn hour, you are greeted by the people dearest to you - your parents. The groom’s mother has a delicious loaf of bread on her lovingly embroidered towel, baked as a symbol of love and prosperity, with the warmest feelings.

Newlyweds!Looking into each other's eyes, break off a piece of this wedding bread, salt it well and feed each other. You have a unique opportunity to annoy each other for the last time, and to the cheers of friends and relatives. And whoever gets the bigger piece will be the head and breadwinner of the family! Well done, groom (or bride), so you will have a difficult burden.”

Wedding planner

When the newlyweds meet with a loaf of bread, the words of the groom’s mother have special meaning. The mother-in-law should say how happy she is about her son’s union, and wish the young couple love, happiness and prosperity.

Elena Sokolova

Leading

During the congratulatory speech, parents should not say too much. A few sentences will be enough, because the main toast will be said later.

Gennady Glushakov

Parents' speech

The words when the newlyweds meet with a loaf of bread mainly consist of congratulations and parting words. The mother-in-law can give her short speech in prose or poetry. It is desirable that the text comes from the heart, without pretense.

For example, congratulating the newlyweds during a meeting with a loaf of bread may look like this:

“Our dear children! We sincerely congratulate you on the starting point in your new life, on the birth of your family. I bless you for a long and happy married life, may there always be peace and order in your home!”

There is another option for the text of congratulations:

“Dear children! We are immensely glad that in this huge world your hearts found each other and merged together, and today we are all witnessing the triumph of your warm feelings for each other. Previously, I only had a son, but now I also have a wonderful daughter. I wish that harmony and mutual understanding reign in your home, so that the ringing laughter of children does not cease within the walls of your family nest. Love each other and be happy!”

You can link your congratulations directly to the loaf itself:

“Dear children! We bless you on your journey together and wish that the warmth in your hearts, like in this loaf, does not fade away, but warms you and everyone around you. May your home be full of joy, love and welcome guests. Happy holiday, my dears!”

Who does the baking

If desired, the groom's family can follow the old tradition and make their own wedding cakes. Of course, this process has not been accompanied by songs and prayers for a long time, but it is better to observe the condition for a happily married woman. Many people believe that baking transmits positive energy from the person who cooks it..

Now there are options that are much simpler - anyone can order a loaf of bread in a bakery or in a special store for a relatively low price. At the same time, you can be sure that the baked goods will turn out tasty and beautiful. You can make any decorations on the loaf, it all depends on the wishes of the customer. In order not to purchase an additional salt shaker, you can order a loaf with a special recess in the middle where salt is poured. You need to order the loaf in advance so that the baker can bake it on the day of the holiday. In this case, it will be fresh, soft and aromatic.

Wedding hosts can tell from their own experience how best to observe this tradition at a wedding: meeting the newlyweds with a loaf of bread. The parents' words can be short, or you can prepare a short congratulatory speech. In this video, the meeting of the newlyweds with a loaf of bread is considered as one of the options for meeting the newlyweds at the door of the restaurant. A professional toastmaster gives recommendations on how best to welcome newlyweds after the registry office.

Each stage of pre-wedding preparation has certain nuances that need to be taken into account so that everyone is satisfied. Regarding the tradition of welcoming newlyweds with a wedding loaf, the following advice is given.

Parents are not always present at weddings in full force. If necessary, the mother-in-law can be replaced by any relative on the groom's side or by any person close to the newlyweds.
The loaf does not replace the wedding cake, despite the fact that this pastry was previously used for the dessert part of the banquet.

What to say when young people meet with a loaf of bread? When serving a loaf of bread, it is not so important what exactly the mother-in-law says, but what matters is how she does it. Even simple words can warm the soul if they are spoken with warm feelings and intentions. You can choose a ready-made version or write the text yourself, the main thing is that it pleases the newlyweds.

A wedding is a magnificent celebration, rich in a variety of customs and beliefs. One of the favorite ancient wedding rituals that has survived to this day is the meeting of the newlyweds with a loaf of bread. What words need to be spoken at this moment? How to organize it? And what is the essence of the ritual? Let's look at it below.

Origins of the ritual

This tradition dates back to ancient times. According to legend, after the painting ceremony, the newlyweds were greeted by their parents. On their hands was an embroidered towel with a loaf. The latter, according to custom, was always placed at the head of the banquet table.

Then they cut it into pieces and at the end of the celebration all the guests had to try it. Moreover, the group eating of this bread took place in strict order. The largest piece was intended for the newlyweds, then parents and close relatives took it, the bottom of the bread was given to a group of musicians, since it contained coins, and the remaining parts of the pie were given to the children and remaining guests.

This is what concerned the traditional Slavic wedding. The modern scenario of greeting newlyweds with a loaf of bread has become easier and reduced to a minimum.

What do you need to know when greeting newlyweds with a loaf of bread?

So, the modern greeting is carried out upon completion of the painting. If previously a loaf of salt was only in the hands of the bride’s mother, today both mother-in-law and mother-in-law can perform this ritual.

The second important component is drawing up a plan for welcoming the young couple after the painting ceremony. Those wishing to participate in the event should be organized into a kind of living wall in two rows. This will create a kind of corridor for a young family.

Then they should be given rice or wheat, metal coins, sweets and rose petals. All this will be useful for showering the young couple. According to tradition, it is generally accepted that those invited in this way help make the future family life of the young sweet, well-fed and rich.

The main roles in this action, of course, are assigned to parents. There are three variations of this scenario:

Only the mother of the bride holds the pie.
The pie is held by the mother of the bride, and the mother-in-law only needs to support.
The groom's mother is entrusted with holding the loaf, and his mother-in-law is entrusted with supporting him.

Fathers should hold a tray with glasses for the newlyweds and a bottle of champagne. Among other things, parents are supposed to say parting words when welcoming the newlyweds with a loaf.

The greeting of the young couple is usually held on the threshold of the banquet room where the celebration itself will take place. This is where parents will hold a towel and a loaf of bread in their hands. When the young couple gets out of the car, two people from among those invited should come closer to the parents and spread another towel on the ground. The rest of the invitees should form a living corridor and begin presenting the young spouses with the sprinkles described above. At the end of this corridor, mothers with a loaf of bread and fathers with champagne and a towel lying on the ground should be located.

One of the mothers should make a hearty speech, greeting the young couple with a loaf of bread, and at the end of it, invite the young couple to stand on the towel. This ritual symbolizes the joint path of the young couple, which they still have to go through in the future. It is believed that whoever touches the canvas first will become the head of the family.

Then the newlyweds step over the towel and go to the mother holding the pie. They listen to beautiful congratulatory words and break off pieces of the pie. Then they feed it to each other or present it to guests. Upon completion of this action, the young spouses enter the banquet room, followed by their parents and remaining guests.

Words for meeting newlyweds with a loaf of bread at a wedding

The words of greeting to a young couple can be in different variations, but their essence remains the same. For example, the mother of the bride may say: “We welcome you, our beloved newlyweds! It's nice to see you healthy and happy! On this delightful and special day for you, we would like to present you with a fragrant and crispy loaf of bread!”

Then it’s the turn of the groom’s mother. Her words: “We give you this wonderful pie with great joy! Break it and let everyone take a piece!”

Upon completion of these speeches, a spectacular tasting of the pie begins. A young couple breaks pieces, salts them and eats them. And at the same time, the mother of the bride enters with the words: “How wonderful you are with us! Let this loaf be the first meal you have together after painting! She will give you health and give you all the charm of family life!”

The groom’s mother joins in the words: “So I have a daughter-in-law! I will love her like my own daughter! And my son has a wife, whom he is now obliged to protect until the end of his days!”

Mother of the bride: “Love and honor each other! Let there always be a warm and cozy atmosphere in your home, and let the ringing laughter of children be heard!”

The groom's mother supports these words. Next, the loaf is presented to one of the bridesmaids or the witness: “And this delicious loaf will bless you and give you family happiness!”, Then it is placed at the head of the table opposite the place of the newlyweds.

Video on the topic of the article

A wedding is a wonderful, large-scale event that is replete with various customs and beliefs. Thus, one of the most common ancient rituals, preserved in our time, is the meeting with a loaf of young people. How does it go? What is? This will be discussed further in our publication.

A short excursion into the past

The tradition of welcoming newlyweds with bread and salt has its roots in the distant past, when people lived in large families. According to legend, after the wedding ceremony, the newly-made husband and wife were greeted by their parents. In their hands was a beautifully hand-embroidered towel (rushnik) and a loaf of bread.

This fragrant and beautiful bread was usually placed at the head of the table. It was cut into pieces, and at the end of the wedding feast, each of the guests had to taste it. Moreover, the collective eating of the pie was carried out in a strictly defined sequence: first, the newlyweds took the largest piece for themselves, their parents and closest relatives were next in line, the lower part was given to the musicians, since that was where the baked coins were located, the remaining pieces of the pie were distributed to children and other invited guests. This is a traditional Slavic wedding. The meeting of young people with a loaf of bread in the modern version has become simpler and reduced to a minimum. We'll talk about how it goes further.

What should you know about the meeting of young people with a loaf?

So, today the wedding loaf, just as before, is a key element when young people meet after the wedding procedure. But if previously only the mother of the bride could hold the bread and salt, then in the modern variation of the ritual, both the mother-in-law and the mother-in-law can perform this action.

The second important point is the planned preparation for the meeting of the newlyweds. This means that those wishing to take part in the event must become a “living wall” and line up in two rows. This way they will create a kind of corridor for already established spouses.

Next, they need to be given rice or wheat, metal coins, sweets and fragrant rose petals. Let us remind you that all this paraphernalia will be needed in order to shower the young ones. It is traditionally believed that by such actions guests help make the future family life of the spouses sweet, well-fed and rich. We will describe below who should hold the wedding loaf and how, as well as what the fathers of the bride and groom should do at this moment.

Leading roles for parents only

As you can see, the most important roles in the ritual associated with welcoming the newlyweds with a loaf of bread belong to the parents of the bride and groom. There are three options for this scenario:

What role do fathers have?

In the background, of course, are the fathers. Moreover, one of them is holding a tray with two glasses, and the second is holding a bottle of champagne. Let us note that many years ago, instead of sparkling alcoholic drink, fathers kept red fruit drink made from juicy lingonberries. In addition, parents say parting words when meeting the newlyweds with a loaf. We will consider below which of them can be heard at modern weddings.

How do young people meet with a loaf?

Preparations for meeting newlyweds, as a rule, take place at the entrance to a cafe or restaurant, where a stormy wedding feast is planned. It is here that newly-made spouses are greeted by their parents holding a towel or a towel and a loaf of bread on top of it.

As the newlyweds get out of the car, two guests move closer to the parents, who are holding beautiful bread, and spread another white linen on the ground. The rest of the invitees line up in a “living corridor” and begin to present the spouses with the above-mentioned cereals, sweets, money and rose petals. At the end of this “tunnel,” the newlyweds see a towel lying on the ground, and parents holding a loaf of bread on a beautiful towel on one side, and champagne and glasses on the other.

The mother of the bride or groom makes a short welcoming speech when the newlyweds meet with a loaf of bread, and then offers to step onto the towel lying below. According to custom, such a gesture symbolizes the joint journey the bride and groom face in their future life together. Moreover, if the groom steps on him first, then he will be the head of the family, if the bride, then she will.

After this, the spouses step over the towel and come closer to the mother, who is holding a loaf of bread. They listen to pleasant congratulatory words, and then break the holiday bread, feed it to each other or give it to guests. After this, the newlyweds, followed by their parents and all other guests, enter a restaurant or cafe.

What do parents say?

The words when young people meet a loaf of bread and their variations may differ slightly, but have a common essence. For example, the mother of the bride may say the following at this moment: “Hello, our dear newlyweds! We are glad to see you in good health! On this wonderful holiday for you, we want to bring you a fragrant and rosy loaf!”

At this moment, it is the groom’s mother’s turn. She says: “We are happy to give you this wonderful holiday bread. Break it open and take a piece of each. Try it, my son!” The bride’s mother supports: “And you, my dear daughter, try it!”

After these words, the meeting with a loaf of bread is accompanied by a spectacular tasting of bread. Both spouses break off a piece of bread, sprinkle it with salt and eat it (possibly without salt). At this moment, the mother of the bride says: “What a great fellow you are! Let this loaf be the first dish you eat together after your wedding. It will bring you health and fill your family life with joy!”

The groom’s mother joins in with the wishes: “Now I have a daughter-in-law whom I will love like a daughter! And my son acquired a wife, whom he pledged to cherish until the end of his days!” The mother of the bride says: “Love and respect each other! Do not know grief, worries and troubles! Let your home always be warm and cozy, let children’s laughter sound!” The groom’s mother supports and gives a loaf of bread into the hands of one of the bride’s friends or an honorary witness: “And this wonderful bread will bless you and lead to your happiness together!” Next, he is transferred to the head of the table and placed so that he is directly opposite the young people’s chairs.

An alternative option for meeting young people with the participation of a toastmaster

A modern interpretation of such a tradition as meeting the newlyweds with a loaf of bread may also include the participation of a toastmaster, or host. How does this event take place in this case? Unlike the previous version, the newlyweds are greeted not by their parents, but by the toastmaster. Mothers of spouses traditionally stand nearby, holding a towel and a loaf of bread in their hands.

The toastmaster says: “Hello, newlyweds! From time immemorial, there has been a good old tradition of welcoming the newlyweds with festive bread and salt. Today this wonderful pie is in the hands of your parents. It is a symbol of your health, longevity and family well-being. Therefore, each of you must come up, break off a piece and salt it properly. With this gesture you will annoy each other for the last time. A happy and long life without quarrels and insults awaits you ahead. Now take your pieces of the pie, exchange them, look into each other’s eyes and feed your soulmate some bread.”

Next, the meeting with the newlyweds’ loaf ends with the eating of pieces of the pie by each spouse. Moreover, this process is accompanied by applause and encouraging cries from the guests. At the end of the “feeding”, the newlyweds decide who was the first to eat their entire portion of the loaf.

Then the presenter sums up: “Now it’s clear that the husband will be the master of the family! He ate his entire piece of the pie and grabbed the one that was intended for his wife. A real gentleman!"

Do newlyweds drink bread?

After eating the loaf, the toastmaster gives a glass of water to each of the spouses and with an open gesture invites all the guests to enter: “And now, dear guests, we invite you all to our festive banquet. We will have songs, dances, and fun competitions. And remember, none of you will leave hungry!” This is exactly how the meeting of the young with the loaf takes place. The mother of the bride and groom can, if they wish, say parting words to the newlyweds or completely trust the toastmaster, limiting themselves to small congratulations.

Is it possible to hold a meeting of newlyweds without a loaf of bread?

If you're not a fan of the loaf and salt tradition, you can always opt for the more modern European version. What does it mean? In this case, the newlyweds will not be greeted by their parents. Most often, the following scenario occurs: the newlyweds drive up to the threshold of a cafe or restaurant, where they are planning further celebrations, come closer and see a “living corridor” of guests. Moreover, there are several variations of this action.

For example, guests can greet the newlyweds with applause, enthusiastic shouts and sprinkle them with rose petals. Or, while walking along the “living corridor,” the newlyweds are not sprinkled with anything, but are simply greeted with bright satin ribbons on sticks. Guests hold them in their hands and wave them. This, of course, is not a meeting between the parents of the newlyweds and a loaf of bread, but it is also a very spectacular sight. By the way, photos with ribbons turn out very colorful and bright.

More options

There is another option for meeting newlyweds without a loaf of bread - this is greeting the spouses not outside, but inside the room. The newlyweds enter and see guests who enthusiastically applaud them, shouting congratulations. Such an action may be accompanied by solemn music, fanfares and balloon fireworks.

The newlyweds must choose which option to give preference to. Whether it will be a loaf or not is up to them to decide.

Therefore, before organizing a wedding, carefully consider all the details, including the meeting of the young spouses. Let this celebration become the most unforgettable and bright event in their family life.