Stronger than wood: how to celebrate a wedding in wood and what to give in return

Wood is a very durable material and the tree itself is considered a symbol of life, prosperity and fertility. Relations between the spouses from the fifth year also become strong. At this time, they often “take root” – acquire their own house or apartment. In the fifth year, trees usually bear fruit, give new “branches” and a family tree – children appear. But at the same time, if a tree does not have enough sun or moisture, it will not bloom, the leaves will not bloom on it, over time it will simply dry out. The same applies to family life: if in the early years marriage can stand only on passion, then over time, without care, mutual support, mutual attention, common interests, feelings will gradually cool .

Another explanation – it is believed that by the fifth year of marriage the relationship between the spouses is strong, like a solid wooden house. However, not all tests have yet been passed – just as a wooden house can burn down due to a fire, a seemingly strong marriage can crumble due to quarrels.

And finally, according to the third version, rooted in the depths of centuries, from the fifth year of marriage, a young family usually had time to part with their parents and build their own house. In their new wooden house (after all, there were no others once in Russia), the first anniversary was celebrated.

It was customary to decorate a house for a wooden wedding with tree branches: in spring – in flowering, in summer and autumn – with leaves, in winter spruce and other conifers were used. Another ancient tradition is to plant a family tree for a wooden wedding, if it is celebrated in spring or summer.

In some countries of Central and Western Europe, the spouses went to the forest for a wooden wedding and tied ribbons (somewhere red and somewhere white) on the trees to make the marriage long and happy. We have a similar tradition in some Siberian regions.

The choice of the tree for the ceremony was also of great importance. So, according to the ancient Druid horoscope, different tree species have different energy properties. For example, the apricot protects against infidelity and betrayal. The acacia is a tree of life, she was often asked about the birth of a child. Birch is considered a “clean” tree that brings joy to the home and also enhances feminine energy, while oak is a “male” tree that also promotes longevity and health. Another health tree is the spruce. The cherry tree is a tree of lovers and a symbol of prosperity. Maple gives strength. Alder is considered a very good tree in the horoscope of Druids – it is the guardian of the hearth, it strengthens family ties. And the mountain ash, according to ancient beliefs, protects the house from evil forces.

Another tradition, rooted in the mists of time, is also associated with wood: on the day of the wedding anniversary, the husband must certainly make something out of it with his own hands: a figurine, dishes, furniture. The woman also took part in it: she was supposed to grind the product, cover it with wax or varnish. Then the result of joint work was proudly shown to relatives.

In Russia, to meet guests invited to a wooden wedding, the wife put on the most beautiful dress (there must have been shades of red in her clothes), and the husband certainly had to put on something new. Thus, the spouses not only demonstrated their well-being, but also appeased the spirits so that they continue to be merciful to them.

In Germany, a wooden wedding was celebrated jokingly, with pranks and shavings on the spouses for happiness and prosperity – in many areas this tradition has survived to this day. An obligatory element of a rural wooden wedding is the rehearsal of the wedding dance by the spouses – they dance it in wooden shoes, which are carved specially for this day.

If the first four wedding anniversaries are allowed to be celebrated in a small circle, together, with relatives or closest friends, then the first anniversary is an opportunity for a larger celebration. The symbolism of the date can be supported in different ways: organize a party in a country-style restaurant around a large wooden table or organize a holiday in nature, use accessories, wooden dishes, branches of trees as decoration.

On the table, according to traditions, there should be red wine, as well as some kind of homemade meat dish. In the past it was homemade sausages, potted meat, jelly.

The celebration of a wooden wedding is not limited to a single party. On this day, according to the tradition of the ancestors, spouses can also plant their own tree. If you have a cottage or your own house, there will be no problems with the implementation of this. It is more difficult for city dwellers: even a small bush cannot be planted without permission. But in many parks there are special alleys or areas where those who wish can plant custom trees – for example, in honor of a wedding anniversary or the birth of a child. In addition, you can use your own windowsill: a tangerine or a lemon, if systematically cut, will fit into the dimensions of the apartment without problems, and you can grow them from a seed in planting it at any time of the year.

Of course, giving wooden gifts on this day is not original, but it is symbolic, and completely in keeping with traditions. The gift doesn’t have to be expensive – it can be something symbolic, like a jewelry box or a beautiful picture frame, as long as it’s chosen and made from the heart.

A gift can be handy, but you shouldn’t give something really cheap or something the spouses obviously don’t need. A wooden rocking chair or garden furniture is one thing, an ordinary cutting board is another. However, if the latter is not from a cheap home store, but, for example, from crafts or with the logo of a famous chef, then it will be a great gift for anyone who loves to cook.

A family tree does not need to be planted – it can also be given as a gift. It can be a 5-7 year old bonsai that will thrive on a windowsill or a bonsai tree. If the latter is well maintained and, above all, do not forget to water, it will live to see a marriage of silver and gold.

If on this day the spouses saw a fallen branch, it meant that they would soon have to move.

Like on the holidays of Ivan Kupala, on this day, if it falls in spring and summer, when the flowers bloom, wreaths are woven and thrown into the river. Only if unmarried girls guessed Ivan Kupala this way when they got married, then on the wooden wedding day the woman was confused to look into the future of family life. If the crown floats, does not sink – the marriage will be long and happy, it will not sink, but turn over – it is worth preparing for difficulties, it will quickly land on the shore – waiting for an addition to the family .

If the holidays fell at the end of winter – at the beginning of spring, on this day the husband made a birdhouse – and on the wedding anniversary he put it on a tree, after which the spouses made a wish. If the starlings like the new home and settle there, the wish will come true. In addition, the appearance of a family of birds in a wooden house promised a quick replenishment in the family of spouses who could not have children.

Rain on a wooden wedding is a good omen, which means that everything will be in order with money in the years to come.

Photo: Legion Media