We collect the bride's dowry

This tradition has come to us from the past. Even in ancient times, families tried to collect the bride’s dowry so that the future wife would have no need in a new place. It was also believed that this was compensation to the groom for the fact that now he is responsible for the young girl. In addition, the family of the future husband incurred wedding expenses, as well as those associated with the bride's move to their house.

We collect the bride's dowry

Today, few people know what parents collected for the girl. What was included in the dowry of the bride? The list of things could be varied. Mostly it was money and property. Their collection was mainly dealt with by the mother of the future wife long before the wedding, when the future newlywed was a little girl. The bride’s dowry was not a secret, but, on the contrary, was paraded so that families of young guys could see enviable free girls. The owner of a rich dowry was the most popular and could choose a groom. Those who did not have it were called "daughters-in-law". It was very difficult for such girls to get married. The dowry included everything for the wedding and things that were needed for further family life: shawls, jewelry, kitchen utensils, bedding and other household items. When the wedding day came, the bride's parents brought chests of clothes to the groom's house and asked for a ransom.

Dowry in the past

Families of merchants had a tradition of carrying the bride's dowry on five wagons. Each of them was filled with certain things. So, in the first they put icons and a samovar, the second was intended for kitchen utensils, in the third they brought bed linen, the fourth was filled with furniture, and in the fifth the future mother-in-law, matchmaker and turkey usually went. Over time, the dowry began to be expressed in money, jewelry and property. If it was good, the bride could gain a high social status by marrying a noble groom. In Soviet times, in an era of scarcity, girls' mothers also tried to get bedding, utensils, and so on. However, at the time of the wedding, these things were unsuitable as a dowry.

Modern bride dowry

In the modern world, this tradition has gradually come to naught. However, it is still present in some nationalities. For example, from the peoples of the Caucasus, since the birth of a girl, a chest is opened in the house, which is gradually filled. It is made from masters or bought ready-made.

The things that make up the dowry, by tradition, should only be new. Usually the family of the bride prepares not only everything necessary for the future married life, but also gifts for the groom's family. Although this custom is not so popular these days, we should not forget about this tradition. It has its own wisdom of the ancestors. So, if the future wife is going to move to her husband, she can take with her any household items that will make the family nest more comfortable, and the life of the newlyweds will become more comfortable and easier. What else can be included in the modern dowry? This may be bed linen, towels, bathrobes, dishes, household appliances. Do not forget that the young wife should remain just as beautiful and desirable, so cosmetics, perfumes, underwear, dresses and dresses can be included in the dowry.