Wedding in Russian style. Wedding in Russian folk style - ideas and tips

Thematic national weddings have long become popular both in our country and abroad. The reason lies in their unusual atmosphere, the opportunity to arrange your own holiday so that it is remembered for a lifetime. Thematic wedding in the Russian style is in the top 10 of this kind of events. Such a holiday will appeal to all connoisseurs of rich Russian culture. Very often, events in a certain style are organized for international couples, where one of the spouses is a foreigner. A Russian-style wedding is not suitable for those newlyweds who dream of a modest, quiet celebration. But bright and extraordinary personalities should seriously think about such a great idea for organizing a celebration.

In this article you will learn everything about a wedding in the Russian style:

• hall decoration;
• decor;
• the wedding cake;
• clothes for the newlyweds and guests;
• a photo;
• Original gifts;
• script ideas;
• thematic contests.

See also

Wedding decoration in Russian style: ideas and photos

Russian-style weddings are famous for their fun, soulful feasts and folk songs. A distinctive feature of such festivities is simplicity and sincerity. Often, weddings in the Russian folk style are celebrated in the bosom of nature to the soulful accompaniment of the button accordion and perky ditties. For organizing and decorating a wedding in the Russian style, a country house against the backdrop of a beautiful green grove is suitable. As an option, you can choose a restaurant with a good banquet hall and traditional cuisine, now most of these establishments use old Russian architecture.

And in order to fully convey the whole flavor of the style as a decor, you can use:

traditional items, with which, first of all, Russia is associated: nesting dolls, samovars, garlands of dried bagels and painted scarves. With their help, you can arrange a banquet table.

meadow and wild flowers: cornflowers, chamomile, poppies, bluebells. They can be present both in the design of the hall and in the bouquets of the bride and her bridesmaids. The bride can also ditch the traditional veil tiara and decorate her long braided hair with a wreath of wildflowers. Alternatively, for the same purpose, you can use the forgotten kokoshnik in a modern design. Wildflowers are mainly used at a Russian-style wedding in the summer, it is at this time of the year that nature pampers us with their abundance.

Natural native Russian fabrics: Gzhel, Zhostovo painting and Khokhloma as tablecloths, clothes of the newlyweds and decorations of the banquet hall.

If the wedding takes place in winter, then most often it is held in a hut, and spruce branches are used as decor, which adorn the walls. Also at the Russian wedding must be present wooden cutlery with traditional painting. But the dishes can be any - the usual earthenware or wooden, it all depends on your wishes.

Wedding scenario in Russian style

A Russian folk wedding can take place under any scenario, the main thing is that the “spirit of the Russian people” be present there. Often, for the first family holiday, the newlyweds invite an experienced toastmaster, who probably has a script for exciting competitions for such an event. These are songs to the balalaika, ditties, buffoons and ancient rituals.

To add some magic to the holiday atmosphere, you should look for inspiration in old folk tales. These ideas can be embodied both in the celebration scenario itself, and simply when decorating a wedding. Interesting competitions for guests are also taken from fairy tales. For example, men can be offered heroic competitions, and among girls, arrange a competition for the title of "Vasilisa the Wise."

When organizing a wedding in the style of Russian folk, give free rein to your imagination and do not be afraid to embody the most extraordinary ideas. Wedding invitations should match the style of your wedding. These can be postcards with the image of nesting dolls, bears, mountain ash, etc. For more information about the design of invitation cards for weddings in the Russian style, we suggest reading in a separate article.

Wedding cake in Russian style

A wedding cake is one of the main components of a wedding in Russian folk style. There are a lot of options, but the use of appropriate symbols is recommended. It can be a cake with Khokhloma painting or use figurines from Russian folk tales as a decoration.

Clothes of the newlyweds and guests at the wedding in Russian folk style

If you decide to celebrate a wedding in the style of Russian folk, then the clothes should correspond to the chosen theme. This applies not only to the bride and groom, but also to their guests. First of all, do not forget to clarify that the wedding will be in Russian folk style and suggest dressing accordingly. You can inform guests about the dress code in the invitation.

According to tradition, in the old days, brides sewed two suits for their wedding - one for the wedding, the other for marriage registration. A modest outfit was used for the wedding, and a more solemn outfit was chosen for registration in the registry office. As a rule, red and white shades predominate in the robes of the bride and groom, always with folk ornaments. If you do not want to give up the usual white wedding dress, then you can use a red ribbon and order embroidery of ornaments on the dress. The veil should also be abandoned; instead, it is better to use kokoshniks or wreaths from wild flowers. Wildflowers are also essential for the bride's bouquet. If the wedding takes place in the cold season, then you can use fur, hats, scarves. And the bride puts on red shoes or boots.

The groom, as a rule, is dressed in a white elongated shirt with a belt, also with Russian folk ornaments, and in wide blue trousers. The groom puts on a hat with a red flower on his head. Embroidery on the dresses of the bride and groom can be done with gold threads.

Original wedding gifts for newlyweds in Russian folk style

For a wedding in the Russian style, you can give any gifts, with an emphasis on the subject. For example, a balalaika for a young spouse or a samovar is a great idea. You can also show off your creativity and give young people a rooster and a hen as a symbol of their common family economy. To introduce young people to art, as an option, give them a ticket to a Russian ballet. The money in the matryoshka will also be remembered for a long time. In order for the present to be memorable, you should add a few pleasant wishes to the topic when presenting it or present it in some non-standard form. It all depends on the imagination of the donor.

Did you have the opportunity to feel the whole flavor of the Russian nation, immerse yourself in the world of these traditions and experience real fun? If there was no such chance, then wedding in Russian style is the ideal option.

Loud wedding in Russian style: how to organize a celebration?

"Feast for the whole world" or be patient!

This wedding is a reflection of the era of the 16-17th century. Therefore, you should at least familiarize yourself with history a little. In order for guests to feel the atmosphere even before the celebration, arrange a bachelor party in a Russian wooden bathhouse, and a bachelorette party in an old manor. Night clubs, sushi bars and other establishments will definitely be out of place.

original invitations

A couple in love should prepare invitations that will reflect the style of the event.

If you are organizing a Russian-style wedding in the summer, you can arrange a photo session in advance. On invitation cards, you can place photos of the bride and groom in traditional costumes.

If you don’t have time for a photo session before the wedding, then in invitations you can use:
old Russian words in the text;
a hut with a window;
ornate font and more.

Don't know how to arrange all this? Try to contact professionals.

No limousines and modern cars!

Agree, a bride getting out of a white limousine in a traditional Russian dress will look ridiculous. The main feature of a wedding in Russian folk style is simplicity and sincerity. You can order a trio of horses, a carriage or a sleigh. It all depends on the time of year.

How to decorate this non-standard transport? Of course, in the spirit of Russian traditions. Bright bells, fresh flowers. The coachman can wear a bright shirt with embroidery.

image of the bride and groom

Suitable for a girl:
1. light blue, red dress or sundress with national patterns (a white wedding dress came to us from Europe);
2. red shoes or boots;
3. a wreath of wild flowers on the head;
4. long braid with flowers and ribbons;
5. make-up - dark eyebrows and eyelashes, red lipstick, rosy cheeks;
6. delicate and simple bouquet of wildflowers (poppies, peonies).

For the groom:
1. shirt with national patterns;
2. wide embroidered belt (sash);
3. simple canvas pants;
4. boots;
5. cap with a visor and a bright flower.

Discuss the dress code with guests in advance.

Photoshoot for a Russian wedding

We have already mentioned the photo shoot in the summer. Why this time of year? The fact is that such a photo session will be simply amazing in nature. The river bank, birch grove, forest clearing - all this will ideally emphasize the style of the wedding. Of course, you can organize an interesting photo shoot at other times of the year. Surely, in every city there are institutions with the right style.

Russian wedding celebration

Wedding in Russian style photo

If you were able to find a Russian restaurant, then you saved yourself a lot of trouble. Professionals will be engaged in the decoration, the menu will be offered appropriate, and the staff will delight guests with their folk costumes and the interior will allow you to feel the Russian culture.

A few tips for those who will independently decorate the banquet hall:
chairs can be replaced with wooden long benches;
decorate the hall with ribbons and bouquets of wild flowers, horseshoes;
buy patterned tablecloths and red and white napkins for tables;
think Russian-style wooden utensils;
a wedding cake can be made in the form of a wooden hut and the groom and the bride in it.

Entertainment at the event

Discuss all the details with the wedding host. There can be folk ensembles, harmonists, and buffoons here.

Arrange contests for the best ditty, round dances, archery, bag jumping and so on. In this matter, we will not advise much, because the best solutions will appear when you communicate with the toastmaster. Many experts in this industry are well aware of all the secrets and features of weddings in the Russian style.

Think about what kind of wedding you want - the one that "knocks down" all the guests or the one from which the best memories will remain in your heart?
It doesn’t matter what you answer, because a Russian-style wedding is suitable for both the first and second cases.

Wedding boyar outfits from Valentina Averyanova

Features of organizing a wedding in the Russian style
The first thing to note, speaking about the peculiarities of organizing a wedding in the Russian style, is that for such a holiday it is necessary to make Russia the center of your married life. Making a choice in favor of a traditional Russian costume, you do not just follow fashion, you become a conscious patriot.
The support of parents and friends is also important. Without their participation, it will be simply impossible to organize a wedding in the Russian style. And all because unusual, of course, for modern people, clothes should be worn not only by the bride and groom, but also by all the other guests.

Boyar outfits from Valentina Averyanova

Russian wedding. A photo

After the wedding in the Family Church. Boyar outfits from Valentina Averyanova

Also, when organizing a wedding in the Russian style, do not forget that:
you should not rush, everything should be approached with special care;
no one should be surprised, a wedding is, first of all, a sacrament, a day on which two people receive a blessing from God for a life together, and only then fun with a feast and photographs in traditional Russian costumes.
It should also be noted that at the wedding it is necessary to thank the parents, because without them this would not have happened. Show mom and dad that you really love them. And they will give their blessing to the marriage.

Wedding in Russian style. A photo

Modern wedding dresses in Russian style from Valentina Averyanova.

What is the basis of a Russian-style wedding?
The young, who become part of the Tree of Life of the Family, are the basis of a Russian-style wedding. Contests are the last.
The celebration should begin and end with a blessing, a blessing from God and parents. Pray sincerely, stand by the holy icons, and then accept the wedding loaf.
It is best to refuse strong alcoholic drinks and tactless sounds. The first can be replaced with wine and champagne, the second - with beautiful, light music. Warn guests not to go beyond the bounds of decency and not to say stupid things at the table.

This scenario is acceptable for a Russian themed wedding or for families that honor the traditions of their ancestors.

The scenario includes rituals and traditional games and fun that guests of any generation will enjoy.

It is desirable that the host be dressed in a traditional Russian folk costume or dress. The surroundings must also be appropriate.

The action begins on the porch of the room in which the event takes place.

On the porch, the host and parents meet the guests with a loaf on a towel with an ornament, there is a salt shaker in the loaf. In the hands of the father is an icon.

Leading :
Hello glorious people!
Celebrations here, apparently, are waiting?
Young people do not be shy!
Don't you dare stand on the porch!

Come closer! — Bride and groom fit
Bow below! — Bow to parents
Break off a piece! — break off
And show the people!

Whoever can break off more will be known as the head of the family!

Leading :
The bride and groom say that spouses need to eat a pood of salt to become happy.
Salt your pieces of loaf and let's count it as a pood. Be happy!

eaten

Now let's deal with the remaining loaf, whoever quickly distributes it among the guests will be the head. Started!

Leading :
I ask everyone to come into the hall

Guests enter and sit down

Leading :
Traditionally, the first glass should be raised for those people, thanks to whom the young have become who they are today, and thanks to whom fate brought the bride and groom together. Of course, these are the parents.

Let's raise our glasses to the parents of the bride and groom.

Drinking, eating

Leading :
An old Russian parable says that one family began to quarrel immediately after marriage.
The couple came to the sage.

He told them that everything was fixable. Giving them a box of matches, he warned them that every time a husband and wife quarreled again, they should break the match.

When the box is empty, the newlyweds will have to leave.

Today I give you a box of one match and wish you never touch it.

Let's raise our glasses to the new family, let the bride and groom understand each other and be happy!

Drinking, eating

Leading :
To marry is not to put on a bast shoe. As the legend says, only a hero is worthy of his bride!
Groom, to prove that you are worthy of your beautiful bride, take three of your friends and line up.

Now everyone must bring a chosen one to their pair. If there is no one in the hall, choose any girl who is most attractive to you, and become a couple with her!

Contest 1

We need 4 chairs, according to the number of pairs. The couples stand on one side of the hall, and the chair opposite the couple stands in the other part of the hall.

So, competition! Your task is to bring your beauty and put her on the throne. Who will be faster, he is the true hero.

One, two, three, let's go!

Leading :
So our red fellow proved that he is worthy of his beauty. Let's raise our glasses so that in any situation our hero can protect his bride, and their path is easy!

Drinking, eating

Leading :
And now it's time to give the floor to the parents of the bride, who gave their daughter to such a wonderful hero.

Word of the bride's parents

Leading :
Let's raise our glasses to such a wonderful toast!

Leading :
The word is given to the groom's parents, who so cordially accept a wonderful girl into their family.

Groom's parents toast

Leading :
Friends, let's raise our glasses to the new family and to the parents of the bride and groom!

Leading :
As they say, what is there to scribble, let's cook a wedding! And if the wedding is concocted, then it's time to celebrate this business!

Not a single wedding in Russia took place without dancing.
Hey, you guests, hey, people, get into a round dance.
In the center - a red maiden, so that a song could flow to us.
You, bride, do not be shy, more fun, more fun!

Bride and groom, come in a circle. According to tradition, the first dance belongs to the young.

Music sounds, the first dance of the young, the rest also gradually stand in pairs

Leading :
The bride and groom, you rule the wedding, so the stream should be started by you. Get into the stream, and the guests in pairs also get up with you.

Brook game

Leading :
And we continue our dance workout! Dear guests, you need to stand as a train one after another. In the dance, we move around the hall and, of course, we dance.

I will tell you where your hands should be, and you shift them and keep moving!

Hands on the neighbor's ears!
Hands on your shoulders!
Hands on your knees!
Hands on heels!
Hands on nose!

You are doing great, and now we have time to dance a little the way you know how and how you like it!

Dance break lasts 10-15 minutes

Leading :
Have a rest? It's time to continue the feast, call your toasts! Congratulations from the relatives of the groom!

The facilitator gives the floor

Drinking, eating

Leading :
The proverb says: One is not afraid, but two are more fun. So our bride and groom united to make their lives brighter, more interesting and more fun.

Competition 2
Let's go now to the forest for mushrooms and berries.

Summons 7 guests

Your task is to collect mushrooms, there are 6 of them now, and you are 7. While the music is playing, you run around the clearing.

As soon as the music stops, you must grab the mushroom. Who does not have time, he leaves.

Remove one mushroom each time

Contest 3
Host: It used to be customary for the bride to embroider her own dress. We will not check whether our bride made the dress herself. We better listen to the congratulations of the guests from the bride.

A modern wedding is no longer a family holiday, but a celebration akin to a real show, the preparation of which lasts for several months, or even a whole year. Some of the young people prefer to hold an elegant European-style wedding ceremony, while others pay tribute to the rich traditions of their native country and organize a Russian wedding on a grand scale.

Peculiarities

Before organizing a wedding in the Russian style, it would be useful to study the old Russian traditions. Some rituals are now forgotten, but nothing prevents them from being revived, at least as part of their own celebration in the Russian folk style, thereby allowing guests to plunge into the history of their people.

Carrying out a Russian wedding, even in a stylized version, involves observing the basic canons of an old Russian celebration. The celebration in the Old Slavonic style should begin and end with a parental blessing. There are no hard liquor in the festive menu; during the celebration, the use of obscene language and dancing until you drop is not allowed. Essential attributes of a Russian wedding:

• a riot of bright colors;
• matchmaking;
• ransom of the bride;
• refraction loaf;

The place for the wedding ceremony can be:

• restaurant hall, stylized as Russian style;
• real log house;
• an open area next to a forest or lake (typical for a wedding in a noble style).

Time spending

The choice of venue for the event depends on the time of year. In summer, for a wedding ceremony, you can prefer open spaces next to a pine forest or a birch grove, near a beautiful reservoir. Nature will become an organic backdrop for a Russian-style wedding and provide an invisible link between generations. By the way, the nearby wheat field will be an ideal place for a photo zone. What could be more Russian than endless fields?

If there are many guests at the event, you can rent houses at the camp site. Then the holiday can last for several days. The first day is official events according to the scenario, which will be held in the banquet hall, and the second is an informal holiday, where swimming in the lake, a bathhouse, barbecues, songs with a guitar and other delights of summer holidays are allowed. If you want a chic wedding in Russian style, it is recommended to choose a country wooden estate with a large park area for the celebration.

Winter weddings are more difficult to arrange outdoors due to the vagaries of the weather. Of course, in winter, wedding dresses, tea parties with bagels, sleigh rides look even more spectacular, but it is better to prefer closed rooms for the main part of the holiday. It can be a restaurant with a “wood-like” decor, a tower, a wooden hut or a theater room. It is desirable that the interior was made in a folk style. But if this is not provided for in the design of the room, it is easy to bring it in with the help of a hand-made decor.

Images of the bride and groom

A Russian wedding will not be quite the same if the invited guests are not dressed in old costumes. Opponents of such themed celebrations can only use an element of traditional attire. For example, girls can decorate their heads with a wreath of wild flowers, braid them with a scarlet satin ribbon, tie a beautiful scarf, and put on red shoes. The male half of the guests can use a red tie or insert a scarf with a traditional Russian pattern into the buttonhole. To make it easier for guests to prepare for a Russian-style wedding, the bride and groom can rent all the necessary accessories for them.

Ideally, if the bride's outfit meets all the canons of such a wedding: a red dress, a kokoshnik, an embroidered blouse. Modern girls can replace this outfit with a simple white robe decorated with elements of folk style: embroidery on a corset, scarf, belt. As a hairstyle, it is better to choose a traditional braid or weaving with pigtails. The longer the hair, the more beautiful the hairstyle will turn out. You can decorate braids with fresh flowers or wreaths of them, scarlet satin ribbons.

Bright shadows and arrows for the image of a Russian girl will not work. To create the “right” face, rich red lipstick, blush, dark eyebrows (sable), long and voluminous eyelashes are required. The recommended shoes for creating a folk wedding look are red shoes without heels. Today, you can move away from this trend a little and buy not only shoes, but also boots with heels. Alternatively, white shoes can be used.

Chamomile, ranunculus, cornflowers, stockrose or other meadow plants can become the basis of the bride's bouquet. To give "nationality" it is permissible to add a branch of viburnum, apple trees, wheat ears to the composition. Bouquets made entirely of lilies, phalaenopsis or roses will be out of place at a traditional Russian wedding.

The groom's attire consists of one-color harem pants (vertical stripes are allowed) and a linen shirt embroidered with traditional patterns. From above, you can put on a vest, tie up with a belt, put on soft boots, high enough, on your feet. The groom's head can be decorated with a cap with a small flower arrangement on one side.

How to arrange a celebration?

When decorating a wedding in the Russian style, it is necessary to choose all the decorative elements correctly, since the overall atmosphere of the event will depend on their competent choice and location. Mandatory attributes at a wedding in Russian:

• Khokhloma painting;
• kokoshniks;
• beautiful towels;
• canonical outfits (a sheepskin coat and felt boots for a winter celebration);

• bast shoes;
• wreaths of meadow flowers;
• dried flowers;
• viburnum and rowan berries;

• team with horses;
• samovar;
• wooden spoons;
• Red caviar;

• bagels, drying, donuts;
• linen tablecloths with embroidery;
• accordion or balalaika;
• Russian stove (if possible);

• rockers and buckets;
• wooden benches with carvings;
• braids of onion and garlic.

The general theme in the Russian style should also be reflected in invitations. It is desirable that the dominant color in the postcards is red, the paper is “antique” with a traditional pattern, the text of the invitations is in the Old Slavonic dialect. You can shade the red color with ink and gold. It is possible to use white, blue, blue, ash-pink and cherry. The menu should also be designed in the traditional Russian style. All invitees will be able to taste well-known and very tasty dishes, as well as new interesting recipes for treats. The wedding cake is also made in the general style, for example, Khokhloma.

The decoration of the hall for the holiday involves the use of wooden dishes with paintings, skillfully embroidered tablecloths, meadow flowers. It is better that all the decor elements that are planned to be used in the design of the room are made from natural materials. Redrawing some traditions in a modern way can destroy the whole atmosphere of the old Russian rite. Tables can be set up in different ways. In the past, it was considered most convenient to place tables in a long row or in the form of the letter "P". A place for the young was allocated in the middle of the table, or they were even seated at a separate table.

An important component of the wedding celebration is the design of the photo zone. Here the decor will be the same at any time of the year. All elements of the photo zone are rooted deep in history, and are also reflected in favorite Russian fairy tales. These attributes include:

• nesting dolls;
• sleigh, team with horses (in winter);
• felt boots;
• traditional musical instruments;
• embroidered napkins, towels;
• painted background with traditional ornament.

Traditions and customs

A wedding in Russia is a rather lengthy action that can be divided into the following stages.

• Collusion. At this stage, the parents of the young people agree on the wedding. It is they who decide to unite the destinies of their children, set a date, agree on the costs of organizing a celebration on both sides and on a dowry. It so happened that young people first saw each other only on their wedding day.

• Matchmaking. The future groom, with the support of his parents or friends, came to the house of his future wife for matchmaking. According to tradition, the first time the groom always failed, receiving a negative answer. The parties came to an agreement only on the second or third time. After that, a grand celebration began in the bride's house with generous feasts, songs and dances.

• Hen-party. He passed on the eve of an important event. The bride and her bridesmaids locked themselves in the bathhouse for divination on wax for their future. The girls also sang sad tunes, loosened their braids for the bride and combed them, and she cried.

• Bachelor party. The groom went to bathe alone. After that, he went to bed and did not have to utter a single word until he met his soulmate. Today, farewell to unmarried and bachelor life has acquired a completely different scope. Events take place in clubs or in nature, can be organized as part of a theme party.

• Ransom. According to old Russian wedding traditions, the obligations of the future spouse before the wedding included the ransom of the bride. The girl's relatives arranged various kinds of tests for the young man to test the sharpness of his mind, kindness, strength, and generosity. After paying the ransom, the trials did not end. The groom had to find the bride herself, who could be hidden in the courtyard buildings or in a neighboring house. As a guard, the father or older brother was assigned to the young. Before giving the bride to the groom, they could again demand a ransom from him. When all the tests were passed, the parents blessed the new family and laid a small table in the bride's house.

• Wedding and registry office. Recognition of the creation of a new cell of society has always taken place in the church, and only then in the registry office. Registration could take place either in nature, or in the very premises of an official institution, or in a restaurant, where the celebration then continued.

• Celebration. A Russian wedding is generous with food, round dances, traditional songs, dances and playing national instruments. Among the most interesting competitions held during the celebration, it is worth highlighting the running in bags, tug of war, collecting bagels on a tree. Noisy and fun were rides on carts with horses or teams with dogs. All this was complemented by cheerful songs, loud laughter and the ringing of bells.

• The wedding night. The sleeping place for the young was prepared very carefully. As a rule, it was settled in a bathhouse or closet in the groom's house. The mattress and bed linen were taken from the bride's dowry. Amulets were laid out on the bed. Under the bed they put juniper, a poker, a frying pan and a log.

It was believed that these items are able to protect a young family from evil spirits. Guests escorted the young to the bedroom, and then locked them up. As a sign of humility before her husband, the girl had to take off his boots, and also ask permission to share a sleeping bed with him.

In the morning, a sheet was hung out for all the relatives to see, on which the young ones rested. If there were doubts about the innocence of the bride, she was sent to her parents' house. A collar was put on the matchmaker's neck, and the father was given a holey mug of wine. The family was disgraced.

• Bad wedding. This event takes place the day after the wedding. The main goal is to entertain the guests. The main characters are the costumed bride and groom. Together with their retinue, they walk around the village and offer vodka and food to passers-by in exchange for money.

How to celebrate a wedding in the Russian style, see the following video.