The modern bride ransom today is carried out somewhat differently than during the period of the birth of this tradition or in the Soviet era of weddings.
Today, the girls' side is pursuing the goal of not just playing out the ransom moments, but making it original and as unusual as possible.
And, of course, with this approach it is difficult to talk about preserving those true meanings that have historically been embedded in each wedding test.
And the traditions have really transformed so strongly and deeply that one only has to start studying how the ransom was carried out by our great-great-grandmothers, and it becomes genuinely interesting and exciting.
In fact, in the old days, the main purpose of the ransom was not to receive money, but rather the symbolism and spectacle of the process.
Initially, the men from the bride's side cut down a dry tree and placed it across the road. And then, with joy and approving cries, they watched as the future husband would get rid of such a simple, but still an obstacle: would he show ingenuity, call on friends for help, or would he desperately try to clear the way himself.
At the gates of the house, it was necessary to knock on the bride's heart in the most literal sense. They knocked on the gates with fists, feet, foreheads, the main thing was that it was noisy and as loud as possible.
Next, a glass of wine awaited the groom, and letters were inscribed on the vessel itself. The groom had to say a kind word about his future wife for each letter and drink the entire glass in seven sips.
When the groom found himself in the bride's room, besides his future wife, there were several other girls in the room in the form of brides. The groom had to pass the most serious test: choose his bride from among all of them and not make a mistake.
At the end, the groom redeemed the princely place under the icons, where he then sat together with the young bride.
Many competitions and tests at modern ransoms are still held, but one cannot but agree that the tasks themselves, to a slight regret, have lost their former important symbolism and beautiful, ornate design.
Brides and their bridesmaids sometimes get too carried away with creating tests, turning the ransom into a real obstacle course for the groom, forgetting that a wedding is not the best time for daring experiments.
And they make mistakes that sometimes ruin a wedding before it even starts. To avoid this, you just need to consider a few points.
The ransom should not be a surprise for the groom.
No matter how much you want to surprise the groom, believe me, there will be another opportunity in your life together. And before the wedding, it is best to discuss with the groom the moments that he will face at the ransom. In this case, the groom will know what to prepare for and what to expect, and you will be able to calmly implement all your surprises. Remember, the best improvisation is always prepared in advance.
Warn the groom's friends
It is annoying to see at a wedding when the groom's friends do not understand what they need to do at the moment of the ransom. It is even more offensive when they simply refuse to participate. Agree with your friends the day before, immediately deciding on whose shoulders the main burden of going through the ransom will fall. If your friends are shy and do not agree to such an adventure, then it is better to remove such competitions from the program in advance than to blush and be offended later.
Monetary component
More and more often, brides ask to make a ransom without monetary investments. In other words, to play out each stage of the ransom so as not to arrange petty bargaining for the key to the house or an apple with toothpicks.
But it is important that the groom knows that he is not expected to pay a financial ransom for access to the bride. And if you have already decided to refuse money during the ransom, then play this line to the end, without descending to a banal and mercenary "come on, pay" at the last competition.
And most importantly, tune in to the fact that the ransom is just a tradition - a kind and cheerful one, which from the first minute should dispose the guests and main participants of the wedding to the anticipation of a truly original and unusual holiday.
Previously, we talked about Easter traditions in different countries.
Expert: Elena Gutyro
