Wedding in Russian folk style: tips, photos, decoration

Peculiarities

Newlyweds are the main figures of a Russian wedding, where they appear as part of the Tree of Life of their Family. Competitions play the last role at the celebration. Important! Preparing a national Russian wedding, even a stylized one, is impossible without immersing yourself in history, folklore and studying folk customs.
A wedding in the Russian style has a number of features:

the beginning and end of a Russian wedding is marked by parental blessing;
the absence of strong alcohol in the wedding menu, “demonic” dancing to Verka Serduchka and obscene language;
abundance of bright colors;
celebrations on a grand scale;
playing the accordion and driving round dances.

Traditions, customs, features

You need to start preparing by studying the rituals, folk crafts and folklore characteristic of this region of Ancient Rus' and the historical period. Northern crafts, Volga region crafts, Cossack regulations add their own flavor to Russian traditions, costumes and culture, which are considered classic. At the same time, in the Russian style and the symbolism of every detail, it is important not to crumple the fun and spaciousness of such a folk festival as a wedding.

Wedding clothes are made from material having the following colors (in order of predominance):

red, crimson, burgundy;
blue, light blue, cobalt, azure;
white;
gold;
silver.

In the environment, materials of natural colors are used: various types of wood, ripe grain and straw, copper, pottery, undyed fabrics, green leaves and branches. All this is generously decorated with a cheerful variety of wildflowers, among which the bride’s wreath dominates.

The surrounding environment serves only as a background against which a fascinating action unfolds step by step - a Slavic wedding.

Her script is filled with wise and entertaining wedding customs:

the tradition of paying a ransom by the groom;
showering the newlyweds with grain, welcoming them with bread and salt;
bride kidnapping;
replacing a wedding veil with a wedding scarf;
a visit to a Russian bathhouse, riding a troika, a staged fight (stuntmen work, the main thing is artistry, not technique!).

The dance program necessarily includes a round dance and square dance.

It is appropriate to dilute modern rhythms with songs of a folk ensemble with folk songs and dances.

Venue for winter and summer wedding

The decisive factor in preparing a Russian folk wedding is the time of year. If the celebration is planned for warm weather, then it is better to find a green lawn near a river or a clearing on the shore of a lake surrounded by pine or birch trees. Gorgeous landscapes and fresh air will fit well into the theme.

As an alternative, you can rent a tourist base or a country house, the interiors of which are designed in Russian style.

In winter, an excellent place for a Russian wedding will be a banquet hall with characteristic architectural details and ancient Russian decor - a wooden log house with a large refectory, with massive wooden furniture (long tables and benches), with a Russian stove.
If you can’t find a stylized establishment, a restaurant with many natural elements in the interior will do. It is easier to transform such a room into a cozy place for a banquet in the Russian style.

For those who are not afraid of cold weather, you can choose an extreme option - find a beautiful clearing surrounded by snow-covered trees, place tables there with treats and a burning samovar. Outdoor games and round dances will keep the guests and the bride and groom from freezing. And if the winter is very harsh, you can continue the feast indoors - in a restaurant or at home.

What decor and how to use

To decorate a wedding in Russian folk style, the following decorative elements will come in handy:

natural gifts - cones, spruce branches, bunches of rowan;
musical instruments - accordion, balalaika, gusli, rattle, button accordion, tambourine, harmonica.
nesting dolls, both large and small;
baskets;
samovars;
a replica of a Russian stove;
Khokhloma, Gzhel, Zhostovo and Palekh;
textiles - patchwork tablecloths, chintz curtains, knitted rugs, towels;
sled;
carts;
rocker arms;
buckets.

wedding arch

Decoration of a motorcade in the old Russian style

If you want to match your style as closely as possible, you should give up cars. It is better to replace this transport with a trio of bays. In summer they can be harnessed to a cart, and in winter - to a large sleigh. In snowy weather, a team of 5-10 dogs or several deer is suitable (the latter proposal is only relevant for residents of the North). To decorate the cortege you will need satin ribbons and beads made from pine cones, which will need to be attached to a sleigh or cart.

Registration area

If we are talking about on-site registration, you can hang garlands of cones and fir branches from the ceiling of a building or tent. To decorate the walls, it is logical to use towels, paintings, and bath brooms. You should also imitate several wells, next to which it would be nice to put buckets and a rocker. A traditional Russian stove made of cardboard or wood can serve as an arch.

Tables should be covered with white and red patchwork tablecloths, preferably with embroidery. On the sides it is necessary to complement them with flower garlands. On top you can put baskets, samovars, and painted dishes. You can’t do without red candles in wooden candlesticks. To the right and left of the path along which the young people will walk, nesting dolls of different sizes should be lined up in an even row. A towel must be placed near the arch.

In the registration area you need to place a table with treats and gifts for guests. You can use a cart covered with large scarves as it. On top you should place baskets with fruits, pies, sweets, you will get a corner like a modern candy bar. For decoration you can use kerosene or oil lamps, bundles of bagels and cones, and fir branches. It would be interesting if you put a sleigh, a balalaika and an accordion right there.

The chairs are not draped; ideally, guests should sit on long benches. This applies to both the registration area and the banquet hall. The maximum that is allowed in their decoration is the use of towels.

Candy bar decorations

Banqueting hall

The design should begin with the arrangement of tables, while you need to abandon the European seating options in the form of a cabaret and the letters “g”, “e”, “p”. Russian style involves mass celebrations in one friendly, noisy company, so guests should sit with the newlyweds. To do this, you should choose one long table, at which the bride and groom are located in the center.

For serving, towels and white and red fabrics are again used, and a samovar is placed in the center. Utensils can be represented by wooden cups, saucers and spoons. Painted ceramics, Gzhel or alternative options are allowed.

You will also need vases with ears of wheat, which are better to replace ordinary flowers. In extreme cases, field flowers may be suitable, even daisies and dandelions. Rowan twigs, as well as any dried grass, will fit into the chosen style.

Important little things

These include:

Invitations . They are best presented in the form of postcards. On the front side it would be just right to draw two roosters, a pie and lovers in national costumes holding wooden glasses of wine in their hands. The edges of the invitations can be decorated with red and white embroidery. Another option is to make them in the shape of a cockerel or matryoshka, painted accordingly.
Gifts for guests . The ideal choice would be sweet cockerels on sticks, painted wooden plates, nesting dolls or amulets. The list is complemented by bath brooms and towels.
Cards for seating guests . It is best to do without them, but if you want order at the table, then the name of a friend or relative can be written on gray cardboard. Next, all that remains is to insert it into a small stump or secure it to a small wooden barrel. You can scatter dried grass below.

If you decide to have a wedding in the summer, then our tips on organizing a bright wedding photo shoot in the summer can help you. This article will introduce you to the best places, props and poses.

A wedding in Russian folk style is not a cheap pleasure. Are you worried that you won't have enough funds? Then information about where and how to get money for it will be useful for you.

Want to save money? Here are budget wedding ideas. They will help you decide where to celebrate it inexpensively, who should be invited, and how to cut costs on the groom’s procession and outfits.

Here is a professionally organized wedding in the Russian style, it is visible in everything: the images of the bride, groom, guests, entertainment, decoration. The only thing that spoils the overall impression is the inappropriate music for the wedding video.

Nuances of the organization

Compliance with the Russian style of the entire wedding ceremony and the images of the newlyweds depends on a combination of different factors - the location of the banquet, outfits, culture of behavior, selection of accessories. Each detail must fit into the overall color.

In summer

It is better to celebrate a summer wedding outdoors or in a cozy cafe overlooking the beautiful landscape.

In summer it is easier to resolve organizational issues. To have a wedding in the Russian style, it is enough to take into account a few points:

Decide on the venue. Agree to rent a restaurant or tourist center if you are planning an indoor celebration. If it's just a green lawn, you need to think about how to arrange it for the wedding feast;
Present wedding invitations and notify guests of the planned dress code;
Think about the holiday menu;
Take care of an unusual wedding procession;
Order professional photography and videography services, invite a toastmaster;
Look out for Russian folk groups - singing or musical, or negotiate with a good accordion player;
Select appropriate accessories for the photo shoot and decor;
Prepare gifts for guests;
Calculate your wedding budget.

in winter

Compared to a summer wedding, a winter wedding is more colorful because it is distinguished by its chic scope.

You can use a real Russian sleigh , not just a cart;
choose beautiful snowy landscapes for photography;
spend a lot of winter fun in the fresh air - sliding down a hill, building a snow fort or a competition to sculpt the biggest snowman, snowball fights;
decorate the banquet hall in a special way - with dried flowers, pine needles, rowan bunches;
arrange a tea party with a boiling samovar, pancakes with caviar and gingerbread , and invite folk singers, dancers and a bear trainer to entertain guests;
complement the wedding outfits of the bride and groom with fur vests, painted scarves , warm shawls or flirty hats with fox trim.

Important! In winter, nature fits favorably into the style of a Russian wedding, and if a Russian stove is installed in the banquet room, the holiday atmosphere is imbued with warmth and cordiality.

Selecting clothes for the groom

It’s much easier for the bride’s lover; to create a full-fledged image of a Russian man, he only needs to wear:

bloomers, black or blue, from any shiny fabric;
a loose, long white shirt with red embroidery and long or short sleeves (depending on the season);
a thin rope-like strap that needs to be tied just below or above the stomach;
a black cap with any flower on the side;
felt boots, chebots, bast shoes, ichigi, onuchi or pistons.

A boutonniere in the shape of a rowan branch completes the groom's look.

Bride and groom outfits

Stages of the Slavic celebration

Traditionally, the wedding scenario in the Russian style is divided into several stages:

Bride ransom . At dawn, the groom and his retinue drive up to the bride's house, where he is met by friends and relatives. The groom is asked to go through a series of tests to get the girl. Competitions for the groom are symbolically connected with Russian epics - he is asked to demonstrate heroic strength, defeat the Serpent Gorynych, outwit Baba Yaga;
Marriage registration. In summer, the wedding ceremony can be outdoors;
Wedding. For this ceremony, it is advisable for the bride and groom to prepare clothes in the Russian style;
Wedding photo shoot. The photographer prepares accessories and decorations in advance, but the most beautiful photos of the newlyweds are taken against the backdrop of ancient Russian architectural structures and natural objects;
Festive feast. Near the entrance to the banquet hall, the newlyweds are greeted by their parents with salt and a loaf of bread, and the guests give gifts. In the interval between the feast and the celebration of the newlyweds, they conduct round dances, dance, sing, and perform ditties;
At the end of the celebration, guests are presented with symbolic gifts .

In the past, a wedding took place in several stages, invariably accompanied by wedding ceremonies.

Matchmaking

Nowadays, young men and women decide for themselves who to marry, but this was not always the case. The man's parents were looking for a bride. Often future marriages were negotiated when the potential newlyweds were children. Matchmakers were sent to the family of the future wife. They had to present the groom and his family in the best light and present them with gifts. Matchmaking was considered a solemn event, and preparations were made for it in advance.

Even if the bride’s parents understood that they liked the potential groom, the matchmakers were always turned down at the first visit. And only when trying again, the head of the bride’s family gave the go-ahead if the presented candidate met strict criteria - he was hardworking, respected his ancestors and elders, and regularly attended church.

In a stylized Russian wedding, matchmaking usually takes place on the first day of the wedding. It becomes a replacement for the more common ransom. The ceremony is organized in the house of the bride's parents in the form of a fun performance with games and jokes, to which relatives and friends are invited.

Collusion

In Rus' it was carried out after matchmaking. On it, the parents of the newlyweds, together with the matchmakers, determined the wedding date, discussed expenses and agreed on the size of the bride’s dowry.

Now these issues are decided by the bride and groom themselves or their parents long before the celebration itself , while the range of issues discussed has remained almost unchanged over the centuries. They determine how the costs of the wedding will be divided and what the total budget is, where the newlyweds will live, and how the special event will take place.

Bachelorette and bachelor parties

The day before the main event, the bride and groom say goodbye to their free life , and the ritual part of the bachelor and bachelorette parties is amazing, filled with rituals designed to protect from the evil eye, nourish them with energy, and cleanse themselves for a happy life together.

The bride and her friends took a steam bath. At night at her house the girls told fortunes. It was common to feel sad about the upcoming wedding and family life: the more artistically the girl portrayed grief, the happier the future she predicted for herself. However, girls often grieved quite sincerely, especially when they were married off to old men.

Interesting! And the groom should have taken a steam bath, but completely alone. After the procedure, he was forbidden to talk until the marriage ceremony.

Today, a bachelorette or bachelor party on the eve of a Russian wedding can be held in a bathhouse or rented a country estate. It’s nice that now the groom has the right to say goodbye to his bachelor status not in splendid isolation, but in the company of friends.

Slavic wedding. Customs and traditions of our Ancestors

A wedding is an exciting event for all participants, and a Slavic wedding or even just a wedding in the Slavic style can become an unforgettable, high celebration. Some customs of a Slavic wedding are known to everyone - for example, the wedding train, which used to be called a squad, or the presence of a loaf - a ritual cookie. A well-known ritual of a Slavic wedding is laying an embroidered Slavic towel on the ground, showering the newlyweds with hops and rye “for luck,” and a rich feast. And yet there are Slavic wedding traditions that need to be remembered and explained. This is discussed in the article.

Images of newlyweds

Bride

To create an image in the Russian style, the following is suitable:

a red or pale blue dress or sundress with embroidery;
red boots or shoes;
kokoshnik or wreath of meadow herbs;
ribbons and flowers woven into a long braid.

Makeup should emphasize natural beauty - natural “sable” eyebrows, rosy cheeks, red lips. You should not draw eyeliner or use eye shadow.

If you don’t have the courage to wear a Russian sundress and kokoshnik, then you can stylize a traditional white dress using hand embroidery. An outfit with prints in the form of Gzhel painting will fit perfectly into the atmosphere.

Bouquet

Exotic flowers are not chosen for a Russian bouquet. Peonies, marigolds, and asters are suitable, but it is best to create a composition of daisies, sunflowers or wildflowers.

In the winter version of the bouquet, clusters of rowan berries look great in combination with white roses, but the red color of the berries must be duplicated in a dress or shoes.

Intricate decor is not used. Usually the bouquet is simply tied with twine or scarlet ribbons.

Groom

If the bride has chosen a wedding dress with Russian-style ornaments, the groom only needs to complement his loose-fitting wedding suit with an embroidered shirt.

If the bride wanted to dress up in national clothes, then the groom’s outfit should be created taking into account the features of the Russian costume:

black loose-fitting trousers with cuffs at the hem;
embroidered white or red shirt;
wide belt - sash made of bright red fabric;
black boots (preferably patent leather or polished to a mirror shine), into which trousers are tucked.

It is recommended that the groom wear a cap with a visor on his head, and a vest over his shirt. The headdress can be decorated with a flower to match the shirt.

Choosing a suitable wedding look for the bride

It is best to replace a standard wedding dress with a slanted sundress. It is desirable that it be red, interspersed with white, yellow and/or blue. The ideal length is to the floor or 2-3 cm higher. Among the decorative elements, a small corset and embroidery on the front are welcome. In summer, you can choose an outfit with an open top and short puffed sleeves, and for winter, long, balloon-style sleeves are suitable. You can also purchase a Saiyan.

A more modern interpretation of Russian traditions involves choosing a white A-line dress with a high waist and a bodice embroidered with thin red wool braid.

A thin belt, which will need to be tied directly under the chest, will help complement the outfit.

Headdress

Among the headdresses, the kokoshnik or magpie, which are intended specifically for the holidays, deserve attention. Compared to more casual options, the povoinnik stands out, ideal for brides leading a private lifestyle. To surprise guests, after painting the girl can safely wear a kichka (kiku). This headdress is supposed to be worn only by married women.

In the warm season, you can do without any kits and the like; an alternative is a wreath on your head made of dandelions, lilies, greenery, roses, and daisies. Products made from several types of flowers in different shades - white and red, pink and slightly purple - look especially beautiful.

The bride's bouquet

the bride’s bouquet from wheat ears. It can be tied with twine at the bottom. Another good option is a flower arrangement of daisies. Here you can find out who it is suitable for, what advantages it has, and how to compose it.

The hairstyle should be represented either by a thick braid or large curls. Both look very interesting in combination with floral arrangements.

You should not braid two braids - according to Russian traditions, only those who have already known family happiness can afford this.

As for shoes , for the winter you don’t have to be embarrassed to choose real felt boots or modern boots that imitate them. In the summer, your feet can be completely bare or “dressed” in sandals without heels that are invisible under a sundress.

Particular attention should be paid to makeup , for the creation of which it is necessary to use powder, blush and light lipstick. The emphasis should be on rosy cheeks and bright lips.

Bridal makeup

about your manicure ; the most you should do with your nails is to cover them with red varnish.

And lastly, jewelry , among which the simplest beads and dangling earrings are worthy of attention.

Dress code

Ideally, everyone - the bride and groom, the guests, and the toastmaster at a Russian-style wedding - are dressed in the same way. Long sundresses are suitable for women, and brightly colored shirts and trousers are suitable for men. It is recommended to rent traditional Russian clothing.

Not everyone may like such images, and then it is worth inviting guests to add one of the elements of Russian flavor to their outfit. This could be wildflowers, jewelry, accessories or a matching hairstyle.
Advice! To ensure that there are no black sheep at the party, you should take care of accessories for guests in advance by placing boutonnieres or ribbons on a separate table at the entrance to the banquet hall.

How to decorate a celebration

The choice of wedding venue will largely depend on the time of year and weather conditions. For a fun summer holiday in nature, it is better to also think about a backup option.
In a forest clearing, surrounded by white-trunked birch trees, this is the place for a real Slavic wedding, but it is no less interesting to arrange a celebration in a spacious Russian hut, which can be rented.

Bulky details of folk life (for example, a Russian stove) can be symbolically marked on the wall so as not to limit the space.

Venue Design Elements

The surrounding environment creates the effect of a real immersion in the atmosphere of a Slavic wedding. To do this, you will need to meet the following conditions:

The main place at the holiday, where hospitable hosts pay tribute to the guests, and they, in turn, honor the newlyweds, is the long wedding table. It is placed in one or several rows, covered with linen tablecloths embroidered with patterns in the Slavic style. Long benches for guests serve as a complement to the style of a wooden table.
A Russian painted samovar (one symbol or several functioning units with a volume corresponding to the number of guests) is a must-have decoration on the table.
Utensils (wooden bowls, bowls, trays, spoons) are used in serving dishes. For unprepared guests, it is better to place traditional appliances in harmonizing colors.
A pair of wooden swans (an ancient Slavic symbol of love and fidelity) is placed in the center of the table.
Handicrafts, bast shoes, towels, felt boots, and colorful household utensils are placed in a prominent place in a random order or in organized compositions. Bundles of fruits, berries, bagels, bouquets of dried flowers, straw crafts are placed along walls, columns and fences so that they do not interfere with the celebration.

Decorations made from herbs and ears (wreaths, garlands, sheaves) look especially good next to ribbons fluttering in the light wind. If a bear skin appears in the composition, then it can be considered complete.

Invitations, bonbonnieres and other accessories

Guests must be notified in advance and given time to prepare for the themed event. The best way is to send out wedding invitations that clearly indicate that they are in for a stylized Slavic wedding.

The design of the invitation is made in full accordance with the theme: prints from folklore scenes, ornaments, Slavic symbols, images of matryoshka dolls, the bride and groom in folk costumes, fragments of Gorodets painting. Depending on the time of year, scenes corresponding to the state of nature are used (winter frosty patterns, summer fields and forests, autumn abundance of fruits, blooming spring fields and gardens).

To write words, choose the Old Russian font in an easy-to-read presentation of the text of the invitation. At the entrance, guests can attach a bunch of rowan berries, a bouquet of wild flowers, or a bunch of multi-colored ribbons to their clothes. Memorable gifts for guests are designed so that they leave a favorable impression in a consistent style. They can be a simple bunch of bagels, a cockerel on a stick, a printed gingerbread or trinkets from Khokhloma, Gzhel, Palekh, Dymkovo.

Original bonbonnieres can be made using birch bark, bast, straw weaving, bags made of canvas, matting or fine linen.

Cortege

At a Russian-style wedding ceremony, it is better for the heroes of the occasion to appear in an open horse-drawn carriage. The coachman must wear an embroidered shirt, a cap with a bright flower, and a zipun. In winter, sleighs are used instead of carts.

The cart and horses are decorated with flower garlands and bright ribbons, and the inside is lined with carpets in summer and furs in winter. To notify everyone about the creation of a new family, bells are hung on the chests of horses.

If you couldn’t find specific transport, don’t be upset. You can decorate ordinary cars in the Russian style - with wreaths of wild flowers, beautiful satin ribbons, rings with bells.

Hall decoration

In order for the space for a wedding banquet to fit harmoniously into the overall theme of the holiday, several rules must be followed:

make white the leading color, adding red, golden, black decorative elements to it;
Cover the tables with openwork tablecloths, decorate them with birch branches and rowan berries;
Use handmade napkins, crocheted or embroidered with Russian ornaments;
Hang towels and paintings depicting nature on the walls;
Replace the chairs with long wooden benches;
Place the samovar in the center of the table;
Choose beautiful dishes in the Russian style with artistic painting;
Instead of shot glasses and glasses, use iron cups.

Decorative elements should complement each other without merging into a motley and homogeneous mass. When decorating a banquet room, traditional symbols are also used - paired figurines of swans, a random horseshoe and matryoshka dolls.

Wedding dresses in Russian style: what are they?

It’s great if the bride chooses a traditional Russian wedding dress: a red dress, an embroidered blouse and a kokoshnik will fit perfectly into the theme of the holiday. But if you are not attracted to this idea, then a modern white outfit will do, which can be complemented with folk notes.

Designers suggest decorating a modern wedding dress with embroidery on the corset and paying attention to national belts. Flowers and Russian scarves perfectly highlight the holiday style. We invite you to view photos of wedding dresses in Russian folk style in a new way.

Image of a Russian bride:

Hairstyle. A long braid is the main advantage of girls in Rus'. Therefore, it is better to choose braids and all kinds of weaving as a wedding hairstyle. Hair can be decorated with fresh flowers, wreaths or red ribbons;
Makeup. On the face of a Russian bride, it is better to minimize the use of shadows and bright arrows. Highlight your lips with bright red lipstick, apply blush to your cheeks, highlight your eyebrows and add volume to your eyelashes;
Shoes. Traditionally, girls wore red shoes without heels. You can buy shoes or boots with heels, the main thing is that they are red, especially if you decide to choose a Russian folk wedding dress. White shoes are also suitable for a themed wedding.

The thematic image of the newlyweds and guests, the wedding scenario in Russian traditions will once again emphasize the peculiarity of your holiday. You will be pleasantly surprised by the beauty and originality of wedding photographs. The portal svadbagolik.ru is sure that if you decide to hold an unusual wedding, you will not regret your decision for a second!

Invitations

Be sure to mention the dress code in the invitations, and also do not forget to indicate the date and location of the wedding.

Invitations can be:

in the form of rectangles with folk ornaments;
imitation of nesting dolls or bears;
with old Russian calligraphy.

You can order postcards to be sent by a courier who will dress in Russian costume.

Accessories

The book of wishes and glasses for the newlyweds can be decorated using bright ornaments:

based on Mezen painting in red and black in combination with ocher;
Gorodets pattern, the palette of which includes white, green, red, blue and black shades;
in Gesture style using red, gold and dominant black;
Gzhel painting in white and blue tones.

To emphasize the breadth of the Russian soul and the scope of the holiday, guests present at a Russian-style wedding are given gifts. Porcelain saucers with floral patterns, painted spoons or nesting dolls are ideal.

Choosing a venue, designing and decorating the hall

Many newlyweds try to hold their wedding celebration in one of the summer months. However, organizing a Slavic wedding is acceptable both in the warm season and in winter frosts. Holding the event in winter will only add to the ambience, since the action of most Old Russian fairy tales took place precisely in the cold season.

When choosing a location, you can give preference to a real Russian hut with a chimney, wooden shutters on the windows and a well behind the threshold. Wooden interior and exterior decoration will play a key role in styling. Finding houses in a dense coniferous or birch forest in the autumn, when everything around is already strewn with yellowed foliage, will add special charm to the celebration.

As for a summer wedding in the style of Ancient Rus', everything is much simpler here. You can hold such an event right in nature, for example, go to a wheat field. In a nice and cozy place in the open air it is possible to conduct registration, a photo session and the celebration itself with a banquet. A less radical option is to rent a summer veranda in a restaurant with a suitable design style. The interior welcomes the presence of a real Russian stove, fireplace, towels, wicker fences and wooden furniture.

The color palette can be made up of red, burgundy, dark pink, blue and orange shades. The design of the hall for a Slavic wedding must also be based on white color. Summer is more conducive to warm, calm tones like pink, and in winter red in combination with snow-white snowdrifts will look best. In turn, it was the red color that occupied a special place in the Old Slavic style. In addition, it was already mentioned above that the best option would be to combine the color design of the hall with the color of the bride’s wedding dress.

Of the generally accepted decorative items for decorating the hall for a wedding in the Slavic style, it is recommended to select those listed below:

Textiles such as chintz curtains, knitted rugs, towels and patchwork tablecloths.
Musical instruments such as balalaikas, gusli, rattles, harmonicas, tambourines, button accordions and accordions.
Gifts of nature like pine cones, bunches of rowan and spruce branches.
Buckets and rockers.
Sleighs and carts.
A replica of a Russian stove.
Samovars and baskets.
Small and large nesting dolls.

Wedding traditions and rituals of the ancient Slavs

The ancient name of the wedding is Lubomir .
This day was celebrated without alcohol, fights, drunkenness and other indecent behavior. Lubomir is, first of all, a celebration of the soul, and only then of the body. A richly laid table was a secondary task. The tradition of wedding rings is an ancient and complex ritual. They have been preparing for engagement since adolescence. When a boy or girl turned twelve years old, they began to wear a silver ring. It was believed that this metal was sacred and capable of absorbing the positive energy of the owner. At the moment of engagement, the bride and groom exchanged these rings. They had to be worn closer to the heart - on the neck.

With these rings, the couple had to spend from 16 to 40 days, soaking in each other’s energy.

On the wedding day, the bride and groom put other rings on each other's ring fingers of their right hands. Silver ones were returned to the owner and worn on the ring finger of the left hand. This ritual closed the spiritual circle between the newlyweds.

There was no ransom in a Slavic wedding . This is due to the fact that the holiday is spiritual, there could be no talk of any money. On the eve of the wedding, fights were organized between the groom and the male relatives of the bride (father and brothers). This demonstrated the ability of the future spouse to protect his family. Another test option is hunting. The groom showed the bride's father how lucky and dexterous he was in this craft.

The bride had to undergo tests conducted by the female half of the groom. A woman was valued for her knowledge and skills in needlework, cooking, housekeeping, and it is good (but not necessary) for her to be able to sing and dance.

An obligatory part of the wedding day is round dances . The wedding round dance was especially important. It was held at the end of the celebration. Young people came closer to the reservoir and lit two fires on the shore: one for the boys, the other for the girls. The women's round dance was always performed in the direction of the sun; it was called posolon. The male round dance is in the opposite direction, that is, anti-salt.

The fires were so close that the participants in the round dance touched each other's backs. When the sign was given, the round dances stopped and those whose backs touched left the circle. Then, the movement continued. Thus, there were nine pairs. They stood with their backs to each other and pronounced the name of the three worlds (Real, Prav, Nav), then turned their heads to the side. If their direction coincided, then this meant a spiritual connection between people.

The ritual did not mean that these boys and girls had to get married. This was a hint that it was necessary to take a closer look at each other.

Pre-wedding preparation

The process of preparing for the wedding day was laid out in stages and had a strict sequence:

Matchmaking . Late in the evening, the groom and his matchmakers went to the bride's house. The timing was not chosen casually; if the groom is refused, no one will know about it. Men acted as matchmakers; they were the first to enter the house, treat the owners to bread and start a conversation. Then the bride and groom were called. The girl was asked her opinion, the parents, in turn, looked closely at their future son-in-law.
Bride . Tests were arranged for the groom, and the girl came to his parents’ house and showed there her ability to manage a household.
Engagement . The ceremony took place in the bride's house, and relatives from both sides gathered there. In addition to exchanging rings, the newlyweds had their hands tied with a towel. After the engagement, it was no longer possible to cancel the wedding and change your mind.
Baking a loaf . The action took place in the bride's house. All married female relatives were convened; there had to be an odd number of them. They not only baked bread, but also had fun and sang songs.
Bachelorette party and gala evening . In other words, farewell evening. That evening they wove wedding wreaths, danced, gave each other small gifts and sang.

Day of celebration

The wedding day was an even brighter day, it took place according to the following scenario:

Dressing the bride and groom . The bride's dress must be full length and long sleeves, her head covered with a scarf. The color of clothing for both newlyweds is white, with an abundance of embroidered elements.
Sending the groom out . He went to the bride's house, remaining there until the end of the day.
Requests . The horses or cart were festively decorated, the young people visited the guests and invited them to the holiday.
Posad . This is the main part, during which the marriage was concluded.
Wedding . It was not enough to marry; the union had to be sanctified by the church and accepted by God.
Coverage . This part completed the wedding celebration. A ritual was performed with the girl: they braided her hair (or cut it off completely), and covered her head with a headdress. We divided the wedding loaf among all the guests. These were the last actions in her home, after which her husband took her to his place.
Transportation of dowry . It included not only clothing and other household supplies, but also money, plots of land and livestock.

Here you can see a photo of a Slavic wedding.

Folk style photo shoot

It is better to organize a photo session outdoors. A dense pine forest, birch grove or green lawn will be the best decorations. In winter, spectacular photos will be taken against the backdrop of snow-covered spruce trees or red rowan trees.

It would be great if you could capture footage of horses. Standing next to these magnificent animals makes for gentle and romantic photos.

You can organize a photo session against the background of pre-revolutionary buildings, for example, a merchant’s house preserved in good condition or a wooden tower. Warm shots will be taken near the Russian stove, and romantic ones - in the hayloft.

Folk musical instruments, kokoshnik, samovar with bagels, nesting dolls, and wreaths of wild flowers are used as additional accessories for a photo shoot.

Photo

One of the most popular themed celebrations is a Russian-style wedding. Centuries-old traditions and rituals that have existed in Russia since time immemorial make the holiday very soulful :

Studying rituals and traditions

It would seem that what could be simpler than a wedding in the Russian style? In fact, it turns out that organizing a stylized celebration is not so easy. It is required to take a responsible approach to the issue of preparation and implementation of the idea as comprehensively as possible. The first thing that needs to be done before organizing the holiday is to study the traditions, rituals, and main milestones in the history of the Russian people. Without such knowledge, a Russian wedding, of course, takes place, but there will not be that “complete immersion” in the theme. Where to begin? First, you need to get acquainted with folklore, rituals that have existed in Rus' from time immemorial, you can ask your older relatives.

You can “dig” deeper and organize a wedding in the ancient Slavic style

The era of the formation of a great country consists of many historical events; you can select a period for yourself in order to recreate a realistic picture. Is it easy to create a wedding in Russian folk style? It all depends on imagination, knowledge, desire and financial capabilities. The main aspect of success is the creation of that very Russian atmosphere that will touch every guest of the event. All festive activities should not feel like just a game.

Atmospheric wedding in ancient Slavic style

Important!
Realism depends on many factors: correctly placed accents, design, outfits, culture and much more will help create that same Russian folk mood.

Today it is not only fashionable, but also extremely important to go back to the roots. From this you can draw great strength, patience, respect and faith, and this is especially necessary for a couple in love entering a new family life.

Another interesting option is a wedding in the style of the Kuban Cossacks