What the groom gives as a matchmaking gift: features of the ceremony

Matchmaking today

Matchmaking is, in essence, the official consent of the bride and groom, as well as their families, to enter into marriage. There is no universal scenario or rules for performing this ritual, since even in ancient times, matchmaking traditions differed greatly not only in different countries, but also in different regions of Rus'. In this article we will look at the main features, current echoes of past traditions and interesting ideas regarding matchmaking.

Matchmaking today

Modern matchmaking in most cases is simple and prosaic, especially in urban areas. Matchmakers, whose roles are most often played by the groom's closest relatives, rarely burden themselves with learning long poems and theatrical performances (except for the common phrase: “you have a product, we have a merchant”). However, certain etiquette is still observed. So, upon arrival at the bride’s house, the groom always gives the women flowers (if the future wife has grandmothers or sisters, they will also be pleased to receive a bouquet along with the bride and her mother). Matchmakers bring gifts with them, most often these are: sweets, fruit baskets, alcohol. In addition, the groom (or his mother) can give the bride some expensive gift, for example, jewelry or something significant for his family. Some special gifts can be presented to the bride's parents. It is better to discuss what to give to your future father-in-law and mother-in-law in advance with the bride - she probably knows their preferences. Alternatively, it could be: a talisman for the home, a photo album (with a promise to fill it soon with photographs of grandchildren), a beautiful carved candle (as a symbol of light and warmth), etc. After the welcoming speeches, everyone goes to the table, where they discuss in detail the subject of the meeting - the wedding of the newlyweds.

What words to say during matchmaking

While the bride's relatives can act impromptu, the groom's matchmakers will have to prepare some kind of opening speech. The essence of this speech usually boils down to the following: we know that a beautiful girl lives here, we have a smart/generous/wealthy groom for her, who, moreover, is endlessly in love with her, do you agree to put her in his reliable hands ? This traditional preamble can be formulated in either prose or verse. Here are some short poetic options:

We brought you a great guy! The merchant is excellent for your product! Dressed to the nines - looks decent, has its own corner and personal transport. There is money - not poor, easy character - character is not harmful. How's it going with your fiancee? Are you ready for marriage yet?

We came to your house for a reason. One dream brought us - to give away a child to a happy marriage, and to hug our grandchildren as soon as possible. And if our thoughts are similar, Let's put everything aside, So that we can discuss the wedding together And open the way to happiness for the children.

You have one girl: Modest, beautiful, young. We have a groom who is a match for her: He has the intelligence to become. We propose to connect their two destinies into one thread.

Hello, nice family! Meet a prominent man. We will immediately say without concealment - He is a glorious groom, rank after rank! And lead you to the altar He desires your maiden.

We were lucky to find out that your product is expensive. Good in everything, give or take. Our merchant is golden. Just look for something like this! Handsome, smart, daring. He'll make a great husband and son-in-law! So give us a straight answer - Are you ready to give away the goods?

We have come to your glorious home With a first-class groom! Give it a little time - we’ll tell you everything about it.

Scenarios of modern matchmaking

We will not present matchmaking scenarios in verse (there are quite a few of them on the Internet). Let us note only the key stages of this ritual. It all starts with the opening speech of the matchmakers (mentioned above). Further, matchmakers may ask the bride to perform a number of comic tasks to ensure that she will be a thrifty wife. For example, answer the following questions:

- What kind of water will you pour instant noodles for your husband: hot or warm? (The correct answer is none, I will feed him delicious, homemade food); — When you wash a pan, do you scrub more inside or outside? (The correct answer is that I wash equally well on all sides); — At what temperature will you wash woolen items? (The correct answer is slightly warm, so as not to shrink); — List the ingredients from which you will cook borscht. etc.

The bride's relatives, in turn, can prepare a number of tasks or questions for the groom. For example:

— The groom is asked to choose a city: Arkhangelsk, Yaroslavl or Khabarovsk (these are the cities depicted on banknotes of 500, 1000 and 5000 rubles). After this, you can joke about the future earnings of the groom - praise him or, on the contrary, advise him to try harder. - Ask him to hammer a nail into a board, but give him a nail with a bent leg, explaining that in family life not everything is so simple and he will need to be able to cope with various difficulties. — To check how safe it will be for the bride to travel with the groom in the car, you can ask a series of automotive questions about traffic rules or ask to decipher some rare signs. — Answer a number of “male” questions. What tool is used to make a hole in a concrete wall (perforator)? How can you cut the wire with pliers or pliers (pliers)? And so on.

Young

From parents

Matchmaking day is a big holiday not only for the couple, but also for parents, as well as for other relatives and close friends.

What do parents give to newlyweds as an engagement gift?

• Certificate for the purchase of household appliances;
• romantic trip;
• bed linen or bath towels with the initials of the bride and groom;
• a set of kitchen towels;
• suitcases or travel bags for upcoming trips;
• hand-embroidered tablecloths and napkins;
• glasses, pillows for rings, which will be useful on your wedding day;
• porcelain figurines depicting the bride and groom (they can be ordered from clay and porcelain masters);
• carpets (if the future husband and wife have separate housing).

If the wedding takes place very soon, then on the day of the engagement the parents can please the couple with decorations suitable for the celebration . For example, a girl will certainly appreciate a beautiful necklace, earrings or bracelet. Identical medallions with photographs inside will also look original.

Important! If the parents decide to say warm, parting words to the couple, then you should not read poetry. It is best to say congratulations to prose, from the bottom of your heart. The exception is original poems written for a specific couple and read by heart.

From guests

Undoubtedly, close friends and relatives will also want to congratulate the newlyweds. You can consider the following options for original gifts :

• photo panel depicting lovers;
• certificate for a visit to a romantic place: a VIP cabin in a cozy restaurant, dinner on the top floor of the tallest building, a pool or spa for two, a hot air balloon ride;
• funny refrigerator magnets with images of the heroes of the occasion;
• traveling by ship or boat;
• T-shirts with funny slogans;
• table or tray for breakfast in bed;
• umbrella for two;
• a bottle of good wine or champagne (instead of a label, you can stick a photo of lovers);
• a heart-shaped photo frame or magnetic board with a romantic design.

What else do guests give as an engagement gift? You can bring a cake, a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers to the party. In honor of the eve of the wedding, the bride's sisters often give expensive jewelry (an elegant pendant, an elegant brooch). You can also give future spouses a set of dishes.

How does the matchmaking of a bride go in our time: words for the ceremony

In the house where the young girl lived, relatives were always on alert. They knew that matchmakers could appear very soon. As a rule, matchmakers did not warn in advance about their visit. Therefore, the girl’s house was always clean, cozy and tidy.

Mom and the bride could set the table in a few minutes so as to treat everyone present. Not only home preparation was considered important, but also speech. Words for matchmaking on the part of the groom are of great importance; with their help, you can both improve relationships and completely stop all contacts and contracts.

Special occasions and gifts for them

There are cases when the parents of future newlyweds have never met and do not know each other until the matchmaking. This may be due to the fact that the children live far away, or simply do not communicate with them much. For such occasions, it is best to purchase memorial gifts that will be neutral.

1. This can be various dishes - a coffee or tea set. Such a gift has been considered the most universal for several decades. If you purchased the simplest set, then do not despair. Today there are a lot of companies that deal with gift making. And from an ordinary service they will make it original and memorable for you. 2. In this case, it is recommended to make matching gifts for matchmakers. These could be bath towels, or, for example, bathrobes or slippers. Of course, these should not be simple things, but original, tasteful ones. If you are afraid of making a mistake with the size, then it is best in this case to consult with your daughter-in-law. 3. An original idea could be a family portrait with two generations at once. This will symbolize that in fact, the merging of two families into a single whole took place. And also, he says that the groom’s parents get a daughter, and the bride gets a son. Such portraits are even made from photographs. Such a gift will be appreciated. It will be very pleasant and touching. If you don’t have joint photos with your parents, then you can take a photo of each family member and take it to the artist, and he will put everything together into a single composition. In this case, the gift will be not only original, but also unexpected. After all, no one will know about its creation except you. 4. You can also purchase an ordinary simple painting for the interior of your home. But for such a gift you need to know at least the taste of the owners of the house, or the interior itself. 5. The purchase of a beautiful lamp or floor lamp would also be considered a good gift. Today's stores have a lot of choice in this direction, from simple products to vintage ones. 6. Among other things, you can give a floor vase, or, for example, various figurines for apartment decor. You shouldn't buy anything big. In this case, it is important that this gift remains in the memory of the event.

Preparation for carrying out the custom in our time

Currently, it is not so important how accurately all Old Russian customs and rituals are observed.
In many families, matchmaking is already closely intertwined with engagement. It is not so important what such a tradition is called. What plays a big role is how it will take place and what the matchmakers will say. In the old days, none of the young people made the decision about marriage on their own. This was the main task of the matchmaker. There were always matchmakers in the village who knew who was single in their settlement and was waiting for the next marriage.

As soon as a young man decided to marry, he informed his parents about it. Mom called a matchmaker into the house, who told them the possible options. At the same time, the matchmaker, as a rule, knew the bride’s family itself, pointing out their positive and negative sides. Thus, matching pairs were made.

In the first case, the groom's parents did not go to matchmaking because they were waiting for official consent from the bride's relatives. In the second case, the parents went with the groom to ask for the hand and heart of a beautiful girl.

Hand-made

Sometimes an engagement gift for friends or family cannot be purchased in a store. In this case, you can do it yourself. Then he will not be soulless, because you will put warmth, tenderness, the best feelings and emotions into him.

With the help of an unusual gift, you can beat the famous saying “Two boots make a pair.” To do this, you can felt, knit or sew boots in white and black. They are decorated with the groom's bow tie and the bride's veil. A present is presented with appropriate wishes.

Those guests who know the family well and are familiar with the basics of heraldry can come up with and draw a family coat of arms for the couple , complemented by an interesting motto.

A service hand-painted with special paints will no longer look trivial. On the dishes you can depict scenes from family life, humorous or wise sayings, and cartoons.

It would be interesting for newlyweds to receive a “patience box” as a gift , filled with vitamins, small sweets, chocolates and other goodies. It must certainly be accompanied by instructions that explain that eating the contents is necessary only in case of causeless sadness, misunderstandings and insults. It is explained to young people that sweets are endowed with the magical property of achieving harmony in the family and reconciliation. Such a comic present will not go unnoticed.

The bride and groom will certainly love a soft, warm mitten made from two cuffs and one common base. She will help her loved ones not to be separated even for a second.

You can make it yourself and add to the main gift:

• bouquet of sweets;
• a painting made in any technique (embroidery, felting, painting);
• wedding dolls (tildes) in the form of a bride and groom;
• family tree planted in a painted pot.

Dowry

The bride's parents began to collect the girl's dowry long before the celebration. It was customary for the bride to move into the groom's house, and then they build a house and go to live separately. It was not customary to live in the girl’s house. However, on her part it was necessary to fully acquire the dowry, which included:

• bed sheets;
• dishes;
• kitchenware;
• cutlery;
• tablecloths;
• carpets;
• pillows;
• blankets;
• services.

The richer the bride was, the larger her dowry chest was. This was one of the issues that was actively discussed at the matchmaking.

It was believed that a girl should have everything for a further comfortable family existence. The dowry woman had it the worst of all, since she simply might not be married.

Engagement

After the matchmaking takes place, at the preliminary stage before the wedding, betrothal (nshandrek) is carried out. The time is set in advance by agreement or during the visit of the groom's father to the bride's parents. On the day of Nshandrek, the father sends various treats to the bride’s house, invites relatives, a priest, and musicians to the house. Then the entire delegation, taking many treats and an engagement gift for the bride (nshan), goes to the bride’s house. The ceremony begins with congratulatory toasts and wishes of happiness to the newlyweds. The priest blesses the food and the wedding gift, after which the groom gives it to the bride. Any decoration serves as a nshan: earrings, a ring, a bracelet, usually silver.

Matchmaking scenario

A certain secrecy was a prerequisite during the ceremony. The young man and his in-laws did not directly communicate why they had given the house. There were special phrases by which one could understand the intentions of the visiting guests:

• “You have a key, we have a lock”;
• “You have a product, we have a merchant.”

At the same time, similar phrases are said on the threshold of the house. Once the bride's parents decide to invite everyone inside, they start hearing compliments about the groom. It is necessary to praise him as much as possible, pointing out the positive aspects.

The young person's education, work and interests are currently described. It is quite possible to mention existing real estate. As soon as the parents realize that the groom is suitable for them, they begin to actively praise their daughter.

Modern matchmaking scenarios can be different. But still, in most cases they are attended by young people. The most energetic and artistic relatives are selected to serve as matchmakers.

Their task is to praise the bride or groom as much as possible. After the parents have pointed out the positive aspects of their daughter, they also talk about what kind of housewife she is, inviting those present to the table.

How to accept matchmakers

Matchmakers are invited to visit the bride's house. She must tidy up before the guests arrive, because the guests will immediately draw conclusions about the girl’s housekeeping as soon as they enter the house. The dowry is displayed in a prominent place.

Of course, you can’t do without a festive table. The bride must take part in the preparation of dishes to show herself as a good housewife. I advise you to serve homemade dishes, if there are any among family recipes.

What to say during matchmaking

The first words are spoken by the groom and his relatives. A young man should think through the speech he will give in advance; it is important for him from the first minutes to make a positive impression on the family of his chosen one and convince them that he is an excellent candidate for the role of husband for their daughter.

At the table the good sides of the bride will be discussed, interesting stories from her biography will be recalled. It is worth discussing in advance with your parents what they will say, because some points from the girl’s biography (for example, some incident from childhood) may confuse her.

In general, during matchmaking they talk about the good qualities of the bride, showing her from the best sides.

Tips for successful matchmaking

• Prepare the dowry. Although now this does not matter as much as in the old days (previously it was a key fact that influenced the outcome of the matchmaking), however, even now it will show the bride from the best side, especially if the dowry includes things that she made herself, so she will be able to demonstrate his thriftiness;
• Don't forget about pumpkin. Even in ancient times, putting a pumpkin on the doorstep meant that the groom did not suit the bride’s family and was rejected. Now this tradition is not at all obligatory, but the presence of a pumpkin will remind the matchmakers on the groom’s side that they need to be active and interesting;
• A well laid table. Matchmaking always takes place at a magnificent feast, so a lot depends on the quality of the dishes served and the table setting.

What to tell matchmakers and what are the rules of matchmaking?

Previously, it was generally accepted that it was impossible to indicate why they came to the bride’s house. When parents ask questions, wanting to know about intentions, matchmakers should fuss in every possible way, without showing that they want to get married.

During matchmaking, after the ceremony itself on the threshold, everyone is invited into the house at a laid table. Parents discuss the upcoming wedding. Only initially does the bride’s mother talk about what kind of dowry they give for the girl.

After discussing the dowry, the adults move on to the upcoming wedding. First, a date is set. Previously, she always relied on church holidays.

Weddings were held either in the spring or in the cold autumn. At this time, as a rule, there was less work in the garden and fields.

Matchmaking in Rus'

The selected matchmakers had to know how matchmaking takes place, all the signs and rules. Their goal was to obtain the consent of the young girl's parents for her to marry the young man they were asking for. It also happened that the girl did not even know who she was being matched with, who would be her future husband. The main thing was the consent of the parents.

It all happened like this: a “contender” came to the bride’s parents along with matchmakers. They could be his parents, other relatives, friends. The conversation began with “empty”, only after several visits an effective answer was given. It was possible to reject the offer immediately, but no one gave consent after the first visit - this was considered the height of indecency. In case of refusal, the matchmakers closed the doors with their backs when leaving, believing that this way the girl would not get married for a long time. If the groom liked the bride, the bride's parents accepted bread from his hands and cut it for everyone present. After this, a day was set for the hand-holding - the time when further actions to organize the wedding would be discussed.

Competitions for guests

The ceremony itself often became a noisy and cheerful event, which delighted everyone around. Competitions were organized upon request. Currently, this can also be done. Competitions will help future relatives get closer and get to know each other better.

One of the popular competitions was dancing in a basin. To do this, the father of the bride and the mother of the groom stood in one basin, starting to dance actively.

Competitions could also be held for young people. They especially loved having fun on the street. For example, tug of war.

Embroidered towel

A traditional matchmaking gift from the bride is personalized towels with embroidery. In the old days, a young girl spent a lot of time and effort to embroider the names of her future relatives herself. Today, all you have to do is place an order, and the desired name will appear on the towel, as if by magic.

Price from 1490 rub. Buy

• More ideas : 30 interesting gifts with personalized engraving

Folk signs and traditions

In Rus', like nowhere else, they believed in omens. Many of them are still observed today.

1. It was not customary to arrange matchmaking on the 13th, especially if it was Friday.
2. As soon as the matchmakers were allowed into the house, they had to touch the door frame, making a very inconspicuous gesture.
3. If the bride was informed in advance that guests would come to the house, then she would definitely buy or do something new. For example, she sewed a tablecloth or laid rugs.

Matchmaking is a special ritual that has come to us since the times of Ancient Rus'. Currently, it has been slightly changed in a modern way, but the meaning remains the same.

Words in matchmaking are of great importance . Basically, they are pronounced in a light and humorous poetic form.

Another option for matchmaking in Rus'

Specially invited matchmakers (relatives - godfather, uncles, brothers), who knew how matchmaking should take place, came to the bride's house. Fearing the evil eye, matchmakers entered the house after sunset. Starting with abstract topics, the conversation gradually approached the question of whether the girl agreed to marry the “candidate”? If the bride did not mind, then she took a broom and began sweeping towards the stove, this symbolically expressed her disposition towards the matchmakers. In case of refusal, revenge was necessary towards the doors, as if driving them out.

Matchmaking by the groom

Matchmaking by the groom, the bride's viewing, engagement - all these are interesting wedding rituals that have survived to this day. The desire to follow them is understandable, because for every young couple this is a special moment in life that they want to keep in their memory forever. Of course, today such rituals are no longer so popular, but for those who still honor the customs, my story is about a matchmaking ceremony, the purpose of which is to get to know the bride and her family.

Wine accessories

No matchmaking is complete without a feast, so it’s a good idea to give matchmakers an original wine set when they meet. The colorful cardboard box contains a plastic case that looks like a real bottle of Italian wine. Hidden inside it is a special dispenser stopper, a ring for collecting drops and a utility knife with a corkscrew and a bottle opener.

Price from 790 rub. Buy

• Don't miss : What to give newlyweds from their parents

“Accept your betrothed...”

First, a brief history of this custom. Once upon a time, before sending matchmakers, they were carefully selected. Although these were often relatives, they had to have authority and, most importantly, know and be able to say the right words. Previously, often the bride had not even heard of her betrothed, and it depended on the matchmakers how the ceremony would go and whether they would be refused. Matchmakers came for the bride with jokes, jokes, songs and dances.

There are many customs for this ceremony, some of which are still used today. Whether to do this or not is up to everyone, but I will briefly talk about the main attributes:

• loaf - as a rule, they brought it with them to matchmaking. The girl had to cut it into pieces and distribute them first to her parents, and then to everyone who was present at the matchmaking, which meant her agreement to get married. Those, in turn, must eat every piece of it so that the marriage of the young people is successful;
• towel - each nation had its own traditions of using it. They were used to tie matchmakers when the girl agreed to get married or presented as a gift from the betrothed to future relatives, etc. Today, a loaf is placed on a towel, and then saved until the wedding.

Gifts from the bride

In ancient times, the future wife, before receiving matchmakers in her home, had to prepare gifts with her own hands for her mother-in-law and her daughters. Basically these were various beautiful scarves or capes. For the father-in-law and husband's brothers (if there were any), linen cuts were prepared for sewing shirts. Today, such gifts have not been made for a long time, but the future wife should please her new relatives.

Every bride should know about the taste preferences of future relatives. For example, a square loves hunting or fishing - then you can present him with various accessories for his hobby (hobby), and your father-in-law will appreciate this surprise. If he is not into this kind of thing, then you can give, for example, a high-quality sweater, jumper or shirt, and the groom himself can find out the size for you.

Speaking of the mother-in-law, the gift for her should be gentle and feminine. It is recommended to buy a surprise exclusively for her, and not for the household. It could be perfume, if of course you know what kind she likes.

Also, it can be a beautiful silk scarf. She will appreciate such a gift. After all, almost every woman loves to purchase various accessories for herself. And she should definitely wear such a gift and use it in her image. Since we are talking about accessories, you can also give gloves or a good quality bag.

Now let's talk about gifts for the groom's sisters. First you need to find out your age. If your sister is younger than you and is not at the matchmaking ceremony, then you can give any souvenir as a sign of respect. If the sister is the eldest, then in this case, you can also opt for buying accessories. Only in this situation is it better to choose things that will suit every girl (woman).

The bride does not give gifts to her beloved on this day. According to traditions and ancient beliefs, it is believed that on the day of matchmaking, she should get to know his family better and devote as much time to them as possible. At the end of the evening, the groom's family should have a good impression of their son's bride. First of all, this is necessary so that the life of the newlyweds proceeds without quarrels and scandals.

“We have an excellent groom...”

Now, of course, everything is different. Young people make their own decision about the wedding and only after that notify their relatives. But still, the custom of matchmaking retained its significance. After all, this is not only a sign of respect for the father and mother of the newlywed, but also a way to show the groom, as they say, from all sides.

Of course, modern matchmaking is mostly simple and unpretentious. Usually everyone already knows about everything and everyone. Therefore, matchmakers, mainly the guy’s closest circle, hardly bother themselves with memorizing poems, songs, jokes, and theatrical actions. But the recognized order is adhered to.

The betrothed, upon arrival at the chosen one’s home, certainly gives flowers to all the women present. The matchmakers don’t come empty-handed either—they bring sweets, fruits, and alcohol.

A separate gift from the groom or his relatives is given to the girl. As usual, this is jewelry or some valuable family heirloom.

Relatives from the young side, as a rule, are also not left without a gift. Although it is inexpensive, it has value. This is usually a talisman for a home or a photo album, an unusually beautiful candle (to warm the house), etc.

At the end of the exchange of greetings, the ritual participants sit down at the table, where the future celebration is discussed.

You also need to take care that this ritual does not become boring. To do this, you need to choose the right matchmakers. These should be fiery, talkative and without complexes people who will become a truly central figure during matchmaking.

What to cook for a wedding at home?

If you're on a budget, still try to prepare dishes based on your guests' preferences. After which you can go shopping for groceries.

You can easily create a wedding menu for 15-25 people yourself. It is enough to prepare 4-5 salads or even less, with a variety of ingredients and place them in several plates so that guests can easily reach them. You should not add the same ingredients everywhere, for example, chicken, olives or mushrooms. You can serve sandwiches, cheese , meat, and fish slices.

For dessert, cake and other sweet delicacies are served with tea or coffee.

It’s a little more difficult to think through a menu for a wedding at home for 20-30 people - it’s no longer so easy to accommodate such a number of people in an ordinary apartment. But nothing is impossible. Each dish should be distributed onto three plates placed at different ends of the table so that everyone can reach it. Then each of the six or seven guests will get a portion of salad, cold cuts, etc. In this case, you won’t have to run to the opposite edge of the table every time to get the appetizer you like. If there are more men than women among those invited, the amount of food should be increased.

Photos of a wedding menu at home

There must be at least three salads , several different cold appetizers with meat, fish, cheese, and sausage. And preferably two hot dishes. For such a number of people present, you need to stock up on 10 bottles of wine. The same number of bottles of alcoholic beverages will be needed. At least 5 liters of juice, soda, mineral water.

to calculate in advance , as well as create a menu for a wedding table for 50 people, which should include salads, meat, fish, vegetable dishes, fruits, sweets, and cake. If you understand the calculation rules, then this is not at all difficult.

Photos of prepared food on the wedding table

Even bad weather in the summer will not be able to darken the festive mood of the newlyweds. The celebration can be organized in a country house, in a country house, or in an apartment. The menu for a summer wedding should be light, with an emphasis on soft drinks. There should be an abundance of vegetable snacks, salads, and fruits on the table. Here are some tips:

1. In hot weather after the registry office, all guests will want to freshen up, so you need to prepare large quantities of cold drinks and ice. Treats from the supermarket are not very suitable. Let it be better lemon water with pieces of fruit. This drink is best served in a large bowl with ice.
2. As for cold dishes in summer, they should be presented on lettuce leaves. This could be: several types of vegetables , cheese, seafood, nuts. It is better to put fish in appetizers. They are usually served chilled, so they are stored in the refrigerator before serving.

Don’t forget to take into account the culinary preferences of vegetarian guests, so there should be an abundance of various snacks without meat and fish on the table.

A sample menu for a wedding table might include:

• light, fresh treats like Caesar, Greek, etc.;
• seafood, vegetables in any form, wild mushrooms, nuts, chicken breast;
• cheese, meat, and also fish.

In the summer heat, intoxication occurs faster. Therefore, mild alcoholic drinks, cocktails with ice and refreshing toppings are preferred. This can be “Mojito”, “Sangria” wine and other chilled ones.

Photo sample of how to set a table for a wedding at home

When planning a holiday menu, you need to take into account how many women, men, and children there will be among those invited. Men are delighted with spicy and hearty dishes, as well as alcohol . Ladies love wine, different types of cheese and fish. Their age is also important.

What dishes to cook - ideas

After all, matchmaking is a holiday for all participants in the event, so you definitely need to think through the menu for the feast and prepare dishes that are more suitable for the occasion. Dishes should be prepared easily, simply and quickly enough. Otherwise, at the time of the holiday, the receiving party will be exhausted from household chores and everything that happens will no longer be a joy.

Example menu for matchmaking:

1. Meat, cheese, fish and vegetable slices.
2. Sandwiches with caviar.
3. Pickle canapes.
4. Fruit plate.
5. Pots with meat, mushrooms and potatoes under a cheese crust.
6. Meat nests with corn, bell pepper and green peas.
7. Juicy rolls of minced pork and bacon, with mustard sauce.

Recipe for “Meat Nests”:

• 1 kg of pork meat with fat;
• 1 onion;
• 1 slice of white bread;
• ½ tbsp milk;
• 1 potato;
• 1 egg.

The pork is cut into pieces and passed through a meat grinder. In the same way, a loaf soaked in milk, peeled potatoes, and onions are crushed. An egg is driven into the resulting mass, salt, pepper and other spices are added to taste. After which everything is thoroughly kneaded until smooth.

Cutlets are formed from the minced meat, making indentations in the middle. Place meat nests on a greased baking sheet, placing ½ tsp in the center. green peas, corn and diced red bell pepper.

By placing them in a preheated oven for 1–1.5 hours, you get delicious, juicy and beautiful cutlets for the holiday.

For snack canapés you will need:

• pickled mushrooms, ideally it is better to take small mushrooms;
• Cherry tomatoes;
• canned ears of young corn.

Young corn, a tomato and a champignon cap are placed in random order on special skewers.

An excellent option for a light and savory snack.

What salads to prepare for a wedding

Salads are especially popular on the holiday table. Cooking them at home is a very important task, because any mistake you make can overshadow the guests' feast. You have a huge choice. There are so many tempting salads in cooking : summer and winter, spicy and sweet, puff pastry and cheese, meat and vegetarian, mushroom and seafood. We bring to your attention recipes for wedding salads that will decorate the table on such a day.

Puff “Wedding Waltz”

Prepare four layers. Each is covered with mayonnaise sauce:

1. Layer in the form of boiled chopped chicken, garlic, nuts.
2. Mushrooms fried with onions.
3. Protein.
4. Cheese (you can grate it).

Photo of lettuce wedding ring

Grated carrots and potatoes, pickled mushrooms, boiled meat, onions, eggs. Interlayers:

• potatoes (3 pcs.);
• mushrooms (1 jar);
• onion (1 pc.);
• meat (400 g);
• carrots (300 g);
• eggs (4 pcs.);
• a jar of corn - to decorate the dish.

Everything needs to be greased with mayonnaise. A round vessel is placed in the center of a beautiful flat bowl. They cover it with salad - a circle comes out, symbolizing a wedding ring , decorated with bright corn sprinkles. You can also cross two rings.