In the past few years, more and more people decide to hold a European-style wedding event. It differs significantly from the traditional Russian celebration with noisy festivities and numerous competitions. The European wedding is more like a social event in a calm and romantic atmosphere.
The difference between two solemn events
A traditional Russian wedding begins with the bride buying the bridegroom. According to European customs, her father or the closest male relative gives the young one. It is possible to combine the traditions of both peoples, but usually the European style is chosen because of the absence of a bride's ransom in it. Also at such a wedding there will be no toastmaster, serving bread with salt and other usual rituals.
According to the tradition of the European wedding, the banquet is held by the host, or, as it is often called, entertainer. It does not so much entertain guests as it creates a favorable atmosphere for them and young people. The entertainer announces musical breaks, grants the right to toast, emphasizes the special moments of the evening.
A European-style wedding (photo can be seen in the article) is more spectacular, as artists, circus artists, magicians and singers are invited to entertain guests. Young people demonstrate a short film about the history of their acquaintance and love. For all those present, the most comfortable conditions for a pleasant pastime are organized.
Another feature of the European celebration is the presence of bridesmaids and friends of the groom. Outfits for each of them are purchased in advance. Dresses for bridesmaids are sewn from the fabric of the same color and texture, but in different styles, depending on the shape of each. Friends are dressed in tuxedos or suits, like the groom. At a European celebration, each girlfriend has a bouquet. Details of the outfit for girlfriends and friends are in the same color scheme and are in harmony with the chosen design of the wedding.
Event tradition
The main traditions of the European wedding are:
- Services of professional decorators, stewards, photographers, etc.
- Weddings and weddings take place on the same day.
- The participation of the younger generation - girls sprinkle flower paths on the path to the altar, and the boy brings wedding rings.
- Unlike the Slavic celebration, where there is one witness on each side, there are always several friends and girlfriends in the European wedding.
- Lighting the candle of unity. The tradition is similar to kindling a "family hearth", but is held after the wedding ceremony.
- The lack of toasts with banal contests. Instead, they invite a professional presenter.
- The design of a European wedding is tied to a specific theme and a selected color palette.
- Separate tables for invited guests, on average, designed for ten people. Each of them is beautifully designed and provides a seating card.
What should not be at a European wedding?
She is carefully planned. Every detail must fit the plan. All performances take place at the indicated time, there is no place for any improvisation characteristic of Slavic customs. Be sure to pre-write the script. At a European wedding, the bride’s traditional theft and ransom, vulgar contests, showering with grain or sugar, serving a loaf, etc. are excluded. If the young are ready to abandon these customs, a European-style celebration will be perfect for them.
How is the event going?
According to the scenario, a European-style wedding begins in the morning. This day belongs entirely to the couple. Waking up in the morning, they bring beauty without fuss, meet and go to a photo shoot. After that, they travel with friends to the venue of the ceremony, where invited guests are waiting for them. The bride is led to the altar by her father.
After the oaths of the young, they register and go on to the celebration itself. The entertainer leads him in a more relaxed manner than the host. He sets the pace for the celebration, so that guests can congratulate the newlyweds and have fun. Spouses cut the cake and dance their first dance. The banquet does not drag out for a long time. As a rule, the newlyweds are the first to leave the event, leaving the invited guests to have fun.
Finally, the bride throws a bouquet to unmarried friends. If a firework or launch of paper lanterns into the sky was organized, it is the final part of the evening, after which the young leave. In gratitude for gifts and congratulations from the bride and groom, each guest is presented with miniature identical gizmos. Photos from European weddings recall this festive day.
Bachelorette party and bachelor party
The tradition of holding hen and stag parties on the eve of the wedding is also borrowed from Europe.
During a bachelorette party, a photo shoot is very often held, the pictures of which are placed on the wedding album. The event is organized in a hotel, spa or in the countryside. Ladies have beauty treatments and then have lunch together.
For the future bride and groom, friends arrange an entertainment program in the sports complex, a joint dinner or extreme pastime. The main thing here is to observe the measure and not overestimate your strength.
Pre-banquet events in the house of the bride and groom
If the couple goes to the ceremony venue from home, then there are some traditional conventions.
On the wedding day, the groom's friends gather in his house, where a light buffet is held. After that, the car is delivered to the front door, and the groom and his friends leave for the bride's house, he has a bouquet with him.
On the threshold of the bride’s house, several of her friends greet him and, warmly welcoming (without ransom), see off inside. Upon entering, the groom remains to wait in the lobby of the future father-in-law. Then he introduces him to his friends and briefly talks about how he is going to build a family life with his future wife, about the warm attitude towards her. The father of the bride can ask his questions. If all of the above suits him, displays the daughter to the groom. The young woman presents her with a bouquet, welcomes her mother, and together they go to the place of registration of marriage.
Preparation and wedding walk
Appearing in the registry office, the young people marry, after which they accept congratulations from the small retinue who arrived with them. The photographer takes several photos of the newlyweds and a common photo with relatives and friends. In memory, you can say a few words about your feelings for each other, to capture the first conjugal kiss. When leaving the registry office, young people are showered with flower petals or rice, after which the wedding procession moves for a walk.
A place for her will be arranged in advance. The best option is a picturesque area away from prying eyes. Here you can prepare a small buffet with fruit snacks, dessert and champagne, invite musicians so that during the photo shoot guests can relax and have a bite. After a short walk, everyone goes to the place where the banquet will be held.
Scenario
Here is an example scenario of a European-style wedding in the Moscow Region:
- 8:30 - cars should be at the groom's house.
- 8: 30-9: 00 - a buffet of light dishes in the groom's house.
- 9: 00-10: 00 - the time allotted for the road to the bride’s house (may vary depending on the distance).
- 10:00 - the motorcade must be in place. The bridegroom and his escorts are met by the bridesmaids, escorted to the house. There, the father of the bride takes his daughter to the groom. The future husband with words of love gives the bride a bouquet. Guests go into the room, where a table is served with light snacks. If the wedding night scenario involves a ransom ceremony, allow enough time for it.
- 10: 30-11: 30 - time on the road to the registry office.
- 11: 30-12: 00 - preparation for the ceremony.
- 12: 00-12: 30 - solemn ceremony of marriage.
- 12: 30-13: 00 - congratulations of friends and relatives, photo and video shooting, champagne. The groom makes the bride in his arms, they are sprinkled with coins, rice, petals.
- 13: 00-13: 30 - the road to the church where the wedding will take place.
- 13: 30-14: 00 - preparation for the wedding ceremony.
- 14: 00-14: 45 - wedding.
- 14: 45-15: 00 - congratulations.
- 15: 00-17: 00 - time for a walk. In summer, you can include in the scenario of a wedding evening a buffet reception outdoors in a picturesque place with the participation of musicians.
- 16: 30-17: 00 - waiting for the newlyweds - buffet for guests.
- 17:00 - young people approach the place of celebration. The guests go out to meet them, stand on both sides of the aisle, forming a corridor along which the bride and groom pass. Ahead of them are children showering the way with petals, guests also showering young people with rice and petals. The host together with the guests wishes the newlyweds peace, harmony and love. In the lobby there is a table with a pyramid of champagne glasses. The two upper glasses tied with ribbon are for young people. Include this spectacular moment in the scenario of the wedding evening, it is very beautiful. The host offers to congratulate the newlyweds and drink champagne in their honor. After everyone congratulates the bride and groom, the host invites you to go to the buffet table. At this time, the musicians entertain the guests, and the newlyweds clean up their outfit and make-up.
- 17:30 - everyone is invited to the wedding table. Guests are seated according to cards laid out on tables. The host announces the first beautiful wedding toast in honor of the newlyweds. After which the guests begin to eat. At this time, pleasant soft music sounds. Next, toasts and wishes are made from the parents of the young: first the groom, and then the bride. Then one or several pop numbers can be shown. Then congratulations are made by witnesses, followed by toasts with stories of love and a smooth introduction to contests for the newlyweds. Further include a melody that sounded on the day of acquaintance. A newlyweds dance is announced, balls or one large ball fly up to the ceiling, which bursts at the climax, small balls, confetti fly out of it. Be sure to include this beautiful sight in the scenario of the wedding evening. By the end of the dance, all guests go to the dance floor.
- 18:30 - the host invites everyone to a dance break.
- 19:00 - start to serve hot snacks, and guests sit at the table.
- 19:30 - those who wish to make toasts and wedding greetings.
- 19:45 - contests.
- 20:15 - pop number, dancing.
- 21:00 - competition or auction of portraits of newlyweds previously painted by guests.
- 21:20 - dancing.
- 22:20 - they take out the wedding cake with the lights off with firecrackers and lights. The newlyweds make an incision of the lower tier to the applause of the guests. The presenter puts up the first piece for auction.
- 22:35 - a sweet table.
- 22:45 - the bride throws a bouquet, and the groom - a garter.
- 22:55 - "dance of wishes" - the newlyweds dance, and the guests wish them happiness and prosperity.
- 23:00 - solemn speech of the newlyweds concludes the program.
European style wedding decoration
You need to be prepared for spending on floral decoration. Paper garlands and handmade hearts will be inappropriate here. The arch, seats in the wedding hall, photo zone, tables in the restaurant, dance floor - all this is decorated with lively floral arrangements and light textiles.
When choosing the main colors for the celebration, it is important to consider the venue, the theme of the wedding and the time of year:
- universal all-weather shades are pink, cream and blue;
- for autumn, wine, orange and chocolate color are best suited;
- for the winter period - deep purple, emerald and scarlet;
- for spring and summer - bright or, conversely, muted pastel colors.
All colors are distinguished by a variety of shades, so it is important to decide on the correct color scheme. For example, lilac color is perfect for red-haired girls and brown-haired women. At the same time, he should not dominate the design, it is enough to put a few accents. In order for the bride to stand out against the background of the holiday and those present, her outfit must be light. But the dresses of girlfriends, on the contrary, need to be made contrasting - this difference looks especially good in photographs.
Before choosing the color scheme of the wedding, you need to focus on the choice of natural flowers, since there are much fewer blue or purple plants than pink or red ones. A combination of sharply contrasting shades looks exquisite:
- pink with brown;
- red and blue;
- green and orange.
White color at the wedding is always appropriate.
Banquet and festivities
European weddings do not last long. The banquet, as a rule, lasts several hours. At the celebration, they don’t serve heavy homemade dishes, usually they are light snacks, fruit and meat slices, salads, tartlets and canapes.
Seating guests is based on age, interests and proximity to the young. Sometimes married couples are accommodated in one part of the hall, and free guests in another.
The presence of waiters is mandatory even at the buffet table, they add drinks, clean the table and look after the invited guests. The banquet will be decorated with a small candy bar, which houses a chocolate fountain, cakes and other sweets.
A memorial book of wishes and a seating plan for guests are placed on the table in front of the entrance. At each place at the table there are cards with the names of the guests arrived and miniature thank-you notes from the newlyweds. The celebration format is closer to a social event than a feast, so it is advisable to inform the most active friends and relatives in advance about the style of the event.
Entertainment
Since the wedding is conducted by the entertainer, it is he who announces the program numbers and provides the right to speech. Musical accompaniment must be alive. The evening program should be prepared in advance, fakirs, dancers, musicians, pyrotechnics, etc. take part in it. The entertaining part begins with the first dance of the young. The screen shows funny pictures of each of the spouses or the story of their acquaintance.
PHOTOSESSION
Before or after the marriage, the young go on a honeymoon. During it, the invited photographer conducts a photo session, according to the chosen topic or according to predefined preferences. Friends do not participate in it, usually this happens later, at a banquet, or in the morning, after the young gatherings.
In addition to staging frames, you can take unexpected photos. In any case, they will take pride of place in the wedding album and for many years will remind you of this happy day.