Wedding traditions with bread

Bread is the plain food of every table, and it is placed at the centre of many weddings. It stands for the household, for hospitality and for the sharing of a life. Often the loaf is the most decorated object in the room.

Decorated and shared loaves

The Ukrainian korovai is a large, ornate wedding bread with dough birds, flowers and a ring of wheat, and is made by married women of the community in a ritual of song. In Armenia, lavash is placed on the couple's shoulders, and in Georgia the shoti or a cheese bread may be served. In Poland the guests are greeted with bread, and in Greece decorated wedding breads are baked in some regions.

Bread and blessing

In Armenian tradition a piece of lavash is draped across the couple's shoulders as a blessing of plenty and good fortune. In Orthodox weddings bread and wine are served to the couple. In Morocco and in the Berber world, bread is baked in the groom's family home and brought to the bride.