A wedding is one of the most significant, expected and funny events in the life of every person. They say that the more people walk on a holiday, the happier the newly-made family will be. The traditions of Russia imply strictly regulated actions, but although this sounds unpleasant, in fact, a wedding in Russian traditions is something unforgettable, filled with bright color and special energy of the people. The Russian village wedding is strictly subordinate to certain actions at each stage of the organization, and as a result, a cheerful, sincere and freedom-breathing holiday is obtained.
Village wedding
Such a wedding means observance of the established customs of Russia, which for centuries have been observed by the newlyweds. This was done so that the couple would playfully get acquainted with their future responsibilities, and realize that now they themselves are responsible for their family.
The village wedding begins with the matchmaking - the groomās parents come to the brideās house under the guise of stray wanderers who supposedly heard that there is a ālittle girlā for sale in the house. At the beginning of this ritual, the groom should remain behind the threshold, and only after the brideās consent to enter the house. According to tradition, matchmakers should receive the approval of the girlās parents for marriage, for this they naturally ask what she thinks of the bridegroom. If the bride agrees to marry the young man, she cuts into several parts the bread brought by the matchmakers. After that, the bride and groom are removed.
Between parents begins a conversation about organizing a wedding. The day of the event is determined, the number of guests on both sides. Immediately after this, a friend should be elected - the chief manager of the wedding, in other words, the host. He is looking for an assistant and a temporary substitution, also two matchmakers should help him.
Assistants to the bride and groom
They always approached the choice of a friend very carefully and attentively, because this person was assigned to lead an important event in the life of loving people. He had to be able to conduct a holiday, amuse the crowd, be the ringleader, and at the same time clearly control the process.
Parents were chosen from among married relatives. These were women who knew their job. They dressed the bride on a memorable day, drove the dowry to the groom's house. Their duties included treating guests and receiving gifts. The decoration of the village wedding also lay on the shoulders of the piles.
The bride chose her older friend, who inextricably followed her on the heels. She helped the girl to receive gifts, invite guests and always participated in the process of dressing the future wife in a wedding dress.
The wedding in a rustic style is quite simple, but itās better to hire a person who is very well versed in Russian wedding traditions.
Traditions
Drunk village weddings are the basis of the basics of fun. But it is worth noting that people drank natural alcohol - liquors and tinctures. Because of this, their intoxication had a special character - it does not at all resemble the body's reaction to modern alcohol, when a person becomes passive, aggressive and dull. Folk drinks evoked joy, enthusiasm, a desire to have fun and a huge inner lift, which is why even decrepit old people could dance all night long.
Signs
Great importance was attached to the signs that accompanied the future spouses during the preparation for the feast. Here is some of them:
- if a girl sneezed in the morning on her wedding day, then the marriage will be strong and happy;
- help in dressing the girl should only accept from married friends;
- You can not show the groom in a wedding dress until the ceremony;
- girlfriends cannot spin in front of the mirror in front of the bride on her wedding day;
- it is considered a bad sign to give girlfriends try on their engagement ring;
- the groom must participate in the process of organizing the holiday at all stages, otherwise he will be a poor master;
- if the future husband stumbles on the way to church, then this indicates his insecurity in the perfect choice;
- at the end of the wedding feast, the groom must carry the bride in her arms over the threshold of the house.
Folk games are considered a very important part of the holiday, because the happier and more fun people are at the feast, the more successful the coupleās family life will be. A friend was engaged in the organization of folk fun - he came up with contests and amused the people.
Features
- Create invitations. They can be ordered in the printing industry or made personally. The main thing is that their style matches the style of the wedding.
- Choosing a venue for the ceremony. It is best that the wedding takes place in the open air, because it is most of all connected with the village and nature. It is necessary to arrange long tables and cover them with linen tablecloths and rushnyks. As a decoration, it is better to use fresh flowers and clay dishes. A Russian village wedding is impossible without a mead, which is worth doing on your own. Dishes should be prepared in accordance with national cuisine - that is, simple and hearty.
- Pedestal decoration for a couple. At this point, you should be careful and decorate the āpedestalā with sheaves of rye and wheat, dolls in national costumes and lots of fresh flowers.
- Date picker. You can not marry in the post and on the January holidays, as it is believed that at this time unclean forces walk around. The best time for a wedding is summer. Pay attention to the lunar calendar, the date of the wedding must be assigned to the growing moon, so that the family also expanded and grew.
- Bride. She should look appropriate. To do this, friends braid her braid, and the dress is tied with a red belt. Particular attention should be paid to the veil, it should have 3 parts - to cover the braid, face and wreath.
- Wreath of brides. It is desirable that it was made from fresh flowers, of which there are plenty in the summer. Such flowers should be woven into it: mint, periwinkle, viburnum and ruta.
Wedding script
The rustic-style wedding script includes several sequential steps.
Hen-party. A rustic wedding suggests it on the eve of a gala event. A bachelorette party is a fun event with singing songs and funny ditties. But also the girls sing old ritual songs.
At this time, the groom is having dinner with his friends. After that, having gathered sweets and treats, they all go together to the brideās house. Free boys and girls begin to dignify the future married couple with different chants.
Morning songs . On the day of the wedding, the matchmaker and friend are in the morning with the bride. They sing songs, not ceasing, until the groom appears.
Buyout. The groom and his retinue are sent to the bride's house, where relatives (girls, often children and teenagers) are waiting for them with brooms and sticks, so as not to miss the groom and request a ransom for a charming relative. He is not even allowed on the threshold; the brideās ādefendersā stand behind the gates and carefully guard them. The groom must pay a decent ransom and answer the questions of the "defenders" of the bride. Only if the answers are satisfactory, he will be allowed to the girl.
Kurnik. This is a wedding cake, which is an integral part of the Russian wedding. It is baked from sweet unleavened dough and beautifully decorated. Usually, a henhouse is prepared in the form of a dome or octagonal hat, and then decorated with many figures of people, animals and flowers.
Wedding
Before the wedding, the priest uttered the following words in the church: āIf there are party or unbelievers here, let them go away or behave themselves decently.ā When the couples were offered to approach the lectern, they had to step on the carpet as soon as possible, because it is believed that the one who does this first will be the main one in the family.
Then the whole procession went to the gatehouse, where snacks were served. Father drank the first mug. Then he began to start a song and passed the initiative to the guests.
Interesting contests
It is impossible to imagine that a cheerful village wedding, the tricks of which are known to everyone, is without fun. Here are some of the popular folk games:
"Rope" . The matchmaker brings into the room a rope tied with one knot, the guests take it in their hands and surround the woman. It all starts with a round dance around her. The matchmaker at this time to everyone who clings to the rope, says either a red word, or a saying, or a song he sings. Everyone should smile at her words, even if they are a little offensive. Those who are distracted from the game, looking around, the matchmaker beats her hands, and leads to the center of the circle - now the game continues guilty.
"Turnip". The motive of the game is inspired by a Russian fairy tale. Participants grab each other by the belt, and begin to pull. The bottom line is to tear the first player from his support. For interest, it is important that as many people as possible. The process is accompanied by sharp jokes, songs and ditties towards the participant who holds the whole crowd.
"Cherry". This fun is for free guys and girls. They become pairs, arms extended forward and firmly connecting them into a ācastleā. After that, ācherryā - the main character, scatter well and jump into his arms. Then he is passed from hand to hand until he reaches the girl who needs to be kissed. After a stormy flight of a guy, the kiss turns out to be very beautiful and sensual. The main thing here is not to fly further, otherwise you will have to kiss the wrong beauty at all.
"Recognize the bride by the little finger . " The bridegroom was blindfolded with a thick cloth, and all the women present at the celebration sat in a circle and put out a little finger. There was complete silence in the hall. The groom had to touch to find the little finger of his narrowed. If he succeeded, the fun continued, if not, such contests continued until the groom found his bride.
Chorus
Particular attention at the wedding was given to the choir who sang ritual songs for the benefit of the future family. Also often invited was the graduate, who dragged on sad songs about the girl's farewell to her parental home, girlish beauty and carelessness.
Musicians
Music set the tone for the entire holiday - they encouraged people and played funny music. The basis of the wedding was hot dances before dawn and a gorgeous feast.