"We welcome you with bread and salt!" - this sentence, according to old Polish custom, not only begins the wedding celebrations, but also the new journey of the bride and groom together. From now on, the 'young ones' are already a separate family, and the ceremonial greeting of the parents in front of the wedding hall is at the same time their farewell to the casual status of bachelor and bachelorette. It is the beginning of a completely new adventure, which should be clearly emphasised. This is why the bride and groom's welcome is significant in Polish tradition.
Welcoming the bride and groom with bread and salt
The moment the bride and groom appear at the gates of the wedding hall is the most sublime moment of the wedding reception. Crossing the threshold of the hall, the 'newlyweds' enter a whole new level of their life together. The bride's mother, together with the groom's mother, greet them with a tray. It contains a loaf of bread, as well as a plate with salt and two glasses - one with water and the other with vodka. The bread and salt are symbols of abundance and spiritual and material support.
Do you want a unique celebration?
You will organise it in a mountainous, fairytale setting!
According to tradition, the 'bride and groom' kiss the loaf of bread, tear off a piece, dip it in salt and eat it with full attention. The bride and groom then reach for one of the glasses. According to superstition, the person who gets the glass with the alcohol will rule the marriage. The emptied glasses are thrown behind the bride and groom to break into small pieces. This augurs a long and happy marriage.
Welcoming the bride and groom is one of the most touching parts of a wedding reception. And just as the first dance together stresses the bride and groom the most, the greeting of the 'young ones' stresses their parents the most. One's voice breaks, tears come to one's eyes of their own accord, and there is a multitude of thoughts and intentions that one would like to express in this brief and symbolic moment.
Poles have an exceptional appreciation of tradition, and for them, formulas that have been repeated for centuries are part of the identity they wish to cultivate. However, it is worth remembering that each family creates its own history, and the moment of welcoming the bride and groom does not have to follow a strict formula.
Sincere words from the heart are sure to be remembered and to touch all family members for years to come. Although the "bread and salt" welcome is an extremely beautiful and centuries-old custom, more and more brides and grooms are choosing to replace the traditional symbols with a glass of champagne or another proprietary drink to give them courage when they cross the threshold of the wedding hall.
What do parents say when greeting the newlyweds?
The bride and groom's words of welcome certainly break the first ice and set the tone for the entire wedding celebration. You can approach them fully in accordance with tradition or add something from yourself. As this is an extremely touching moment, it is worth preparing for it in advance and learning these few important sentences by heart.
"We welcome you with bread and salt, so that you never lack this bread and salt in your life!". This is the most frequently repeated formula with which it is definitely worth starting every bride and groom greeting. This is where the question is most often asked, "The bride and groom what do you choose - bread, salt or the groom?". In response to this question, the bride and groom should say, "The groom, and we'll get the bread and salt ourselves slowly". She can also give a perverse answer: "Bread, salt and the Groom to earn it".
"We bless you and wish you a happy life together!" - is one of the most universal wishes that parents make to the bride and groom. This sentence can, of course, be freely expanded by adding more personal and individual wishes, but it is worth starting with a solemn blessing.
What else is worth bearing in mind when welcoming the bride and groom?
Welcoming the bride and groom is an extraordinary privilege and a great responsibility. Although it is generally accessed by the mothers of the groom and bride, family seniors can also be involved in the ceremony. These can be grandmothers or grandfathers, as well as godparents.
Although there are a thousand thoughts per second when greeting the bride and groom, and no words seem sufficient, it is worth remembering not to extend this element of the wedding reception on purpose. It is, above all, very symbolic, and there will still be time for more elaborate and thoughtful wishes.