Ukraine wedding custom

by Karen Tumelty
(Glenside, PA USA)

I am looking for the wording that goes along with the Ukrainian tradition of toast involving brandy/whiskey/bread/salt/honey or
Ukraine wedding custom involving bread, honey, whiskey+ salt.


Wedding Custom
By Ukraine-travel-advisor:

Most likely you are talking about "The Bread and Salt" tradition which is very symbolic in any Slavic culture. There is no some special wording for it since it is not a toast, but a whole ceremony.

According to "The Bread and Salt" tradition host give their guest a loaf of bread with salt on the top. Custom to greet guest with bread and salt is well-known among the Slavic tribes from the ancient times. Bread expressed the wish of wealth and prosperity, and salt was considered a shielding symbol, capable to protect a person from the hostile forces.

Traditionally bread is baked from flour, honey, almonds, and numerous spices. A guest must break off the piece of bread, dip it into the saltshaker and eat it. This way he demonstrates that he enters into the friendly relations with the hosts and is ready to eat together with them “the pood of salt”, (pood is unit of weight – about 16 kg), i.e. to divide all their misfortunes and concerns.

Usually "The Bread and Salt" ceremony is conducted for some special guests. It is very traditional ritual during wedding ceremonies. Instead of the customary wedding cake, traditional bread called Korowai is offered.

When newlyweds arrive to the place of the wedding ceremony the mother-in-law and father-in-law meet them at the entrance. The mother-in-law’s hands are covered with a long towel and she holds bread and salt. It symbolizes a new-family birth and its future prosperity.

What do they usully say to this young couple? Any kind words and wishes which go right from your heart. -:)

As for brandy and whisky, you can buy them in Ukraine. But at the same time it is not quite traditional type of alcohol for any traditional ceremony. Vodka and wine are more appropriate to this case.

I hope it helps.
Picture source: http://l7e7o7n.narod.ru/foto/nn2/