The blessing of the mother of the bride (as well as the parents of the groom) is a very beautiful ceremony that came to us from antiquity. Then they attached great importance to him. If the words of the blessing of the mother of the bride were not uttered, before the bride and groom were not allowed to get married in the church. In addition, the girl was deprived of inheritance and shamed in society.
Nowadays, the words of blessing to the mother of the bride no longer have such significance, but parental parting words still play a big role for the newlyweds. Hearing the appropriate words is always nice, agree?
Parting words. The blessing of the mother of the bride before the registry office. Words of parents
At modern weddings, parents bless their children in front of the banquet hall. This is already happening after marriage. Newlyweds are greeted with a loaf, wine, bread and salt.
However, this version of the ceremony is simplified. Some families still prefer to honor the ancient traditions. On them the bride should hear parting words. The blessing of the mother of the bride before the registry office, the words of the parents - all this should happen twice. The first time is right before the wedding. This is done in the father's house before leaving for the registry office. Moreover, the parents of the bride and groom bless their children separately. Then the young can already go to the painting. The second blessing is in the banquet hall.
What icon is used to bless the bride
One of the most revered images of the Virgin is the Kazan icon of the Mother of God. Even our ancestors believed in her magic and miraculous power. It is she who has special significance for the fair sex, especially for the bride. Before the registry office, mother must bless her daughter with the icon of the Mother of God.
Seeing the bride to the registry office
Seeing off to the registry office is a special ritual that a father must perform. The groom should not be near, everything should pass only between the parents of the bride and the bride herself. Parting words are spoken, the girl is blessed with the icon of the Mother of God.
Then the father takes his daughter's hand and walks her around the table three times. This should be done clockwise. After that, the father takes the bride to the groom and passes her.
What icon is used to bless the groom
The bridegroom is blessed with the icon of the Savior. This is the most common image of Christ. In one hand he has a book, and with the other hand he blesses the person who is looking at him. The Savior is asked for prosperity in the family. Previously, this icon was brought into the house of the spouses first. Now the groom’s parents use her to bless her son for a happy marriage.
Farewell to the groom before the registry office
While the bride receives a blessing from her parents, her ritual is also held at the groom's house. The table is covered with a snow-white tablecloth. They put bread on it, put salt and water next to it, a burning candle. The groom kneels and receives a blessing from his parents. The father takes his son's hand and walks him three times around the table. Mother should follow them, holding in her hands the icon of the Savior and a candle. Thus, the son receives support not only from his parents, but also from his whole family. After that, the groom can go to get the bride.
The blessing of the young mother of the bride
Who will keep the loaf? Who will say parting words to the newlyweds? Who to contact them first? A lot of time is spent on distributing these roles. Although it is worth noting that there is no single rule on this subject. Consider several options for the distribution of roles (go from left to right).
Possible options
The icon is held by the father of the groom, next to the loaf is the mother of the bride. Other parents are just around
Mothers of newlyweds hold icons, and fathers hold champagne and loaf
In the hands of one mother - an icon, in the other - a loaf. Fathers just get on the sides
One mother has a loaf, another has a fold. Fathers are standing on the sides and holding champagne glasses
Words of parental blessing to the bride and groom
The blessing of the mother of the bride at the wedding is a very important ritual. However, what will be said does not really matter much. It is much more important that all words come from the very heart, so that the farewell is sincere. Only then will the children be truly happy, and life ahead filled with happiness, joy and children's laughter.
What they usually want:
well-being in the family,
long years of happy marriage
health to the newlyweds and their children,
happiness in your own home.
By the way, the bride and groom should receive the words of blessing not only from their parents, but also from each other's parents. There is a belief that such a union will only become even stronger. Not for nothing that after the wedding, the young call each other's parents “mom” and “dad”.
What to do to the bride and groom with icons after the wedding
The bride must preserve the icon that her mother blessed before painting. The groom should do the same. Newlyweds should keep them in their home as a valuable heirloom. Usually they are wrapped in a towel and hidden away from prying eyes. This is a personal value, this is a blessing from parents.
What You Need to Know About the Blessing: Useful Tips
You cannot hold icons with your bare hands. They say that this is a bad omen. Therefore, it is very important not to forget to buy towels. Then the newlyweds will be able to cover the icons with them and put them in their special place in the house. In addition, the towel is useful for a loaf.
According to the old tradition, parents must first cross the icon of the bride and groom three times before the registry office, then the children kiss the icon. The same rite is repeated in the banquet hall. Today, this custom is followed very rarely. However, if this is important for future spouses, then it is better to follow all the rules.
If it was decided that in the banquet hall the icon will be in the hands of one of the fathers, then it is better to explain to him in advance all the details of the upcoming ritual. The fact is that men do not always pay special attention to this and can get confused at the most inopportune moment.
When newlyweds receive parting words of blessing from their parents before and after the registry office, they must definitely kneel.
Sometimes it happens that one of the newlyweds has an incomplete family. Maybe there is no mother or father. In this case, godparents must bless.
The ceremony of blessing the newlyweds is very difficult, but interesting. Some couples miss it, but in vain. Parents are the most important people in the life of any person. They gave life, brought up and were always near - both in grief and in joy. There is nothing stronger than their sincere blessing. It is believed that young families who decided to abide by traditions and received these holy parting words lived in a happy marriage.