By custom, the bride and groom emerge into the wedding reception hall accompanied by the best man and the maid of honour. As we walked down the steps, towards the tented setting we were presented with a plate that we were supposed to smash before entering the ceremony, for good luck. Everyone stood up and applauded, as we were greeted by the host. He invited our mothers to approach us with a traditional russian "bread and salt" a custom which originally signified the welcoming of the bride into the family of the groom. Over the decades, it has become more convinient to hold the ceremony right before the wedding dinner reception, as opposed to at the entrance of the groom's family home right after church. A modern twist to the custom has been added by asking the bride and the groom to take a bite of the pie, and who ever got the largest piece is to be regarded as the boss in the family. Modest as I am, I took a little bite and let Alex attempt to bite half the pie off!
We were then hugged and congratulated by our mom's and walked to our table, in front of which a champagne pyramid was waiting for us. The pyramid has gained crazy popularity in Uzbekistan and is present at every wedding where alcohol is allowed. Its a big "do not try this at home" item, but very worthwhile at a party. The cost ranges from 15$ to 30 $ depending on the number of glasses and the type of champagne used. They also add dry ice to it, which smokes up quite nicely and creates romantic mist in your hands.
As the sparkles ran from glass to glass, friends and relatives approached us with gifts, flowers and warm words. By our request, most guest presented us with envelopes and a few got us actuall gifts. But there was a sea of flowers, white and red roses, lillies and other seasonal decorative flowers. Flowers are always a huge part of Russian weddings, no one ever goes to a wedding without a bouque, so hundrets of vases and dozens of buckets are prepared in advance!These are then taken to the home of the bride and the groom to fill up their entire sitting room.
I believe the reason why not "bread and salt" offered before reception, because if you remember after church or registration bride and groom were coming back home to rest before restaurant. Now I guess with time everything changes. But I always admired that tradition.
ReplyDeleteThat pyramid of champagne must have been really great thing to see!
And awww, you were so sweet for allowing Alex to get bigger bite, whereas we all know what is what in reality. hehehehehehe (Don't kill me!) Love you!
Well Vera, the secret of being a good boss, is to not let your subordinates feel like they are watched and controlled :) he he
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