Like it or not, modern youth does not honor traditions as much as the older generation. Moreover, it was city dwellers who had completely forgotten such a tradition as bride grooming, while villagers still abided by it. Perhaps the rite has undergone some changes over time, but the main point remains.
It is believed that young people should inform their parents about plans for the future. As a rule, the future groom should come to the bride's house on the appointed day with flowers, a cake and a bottle of good wine. After that, he should ask his beloved parents for permission to marry their daughter. Undoubtedly, the matchmaking on the part of the groom lies also in his gallant behavior in the bride’s house, where he must prove himself on the best side and make a good impression on the parents of the beloved so that they respond with consent.
In fact, such a visit is just a formality, the young already decided to get married without it, but for a good relationship with future mother-in-law and father-in-law it is necessary to pay a courtesy visit. In turn, the bride should visit the groom's house on a return visit in order to get acquainted with the future mother-in-law. The girl needs to show herself to the best side and convince the mother of the groom that she is a worthy party for her son. This can be considered modern matchmaking of the bride, while before this event was taken more seriously, and preparation took much more time.
In order to woo the bride, relatives of the groom or matchmaker were sent, who sometimes specially selected the bride for the groom. So, it was the relatives of the groom, usually they were godmothers, who came to the bride’s house and asked to give the girl in marriage.
Matchmaking the bride was not easy, it was not suitable for every day, it was impossible to go to get married on Wednesday or Friday. It was necessary to go on such a “trip” only after sunset, while talking on the way to the bride’s house was not accepted. The route was kept secret, as was the time of departure to matchmaking. Usually matchmakers were not supposed to come along the main street, but to go unnoticed and get back gardens, beware of the evil eye. It was necessary to bring bread with them to the bride's matchmaking, which was wrapped in a towel. If the offer was accepted, then the bread was left in the bride's house, if the matchmakers were refused, then it was taken back with them.
After the matchmakers crossed the threshold of the bride’s house, bidding began. Sometimes they talked directly about the purpose of their visit, and sometimes conversations were conducted with veiled jokes. “You have a product, we have a merchant” or “We are looking for a good little girl, will you show what you have?” These jokes helped to tune in the right way. At this time, the girl sat down at the stove and dug clay, she did not participate in the conversation and did not express her opinion.
It was not customary to give her daughter away the first time, so the matchmakers came several times. If the groom did not like it at all, then he was brought out a pumpkin - this meant an irrevocable refusal.
If the matchmaking turned out to be successful, then at the end of the visit they exchanged towels with the matchmakers, who in turn went around the table three times, then were baptized in front of the images and agreed on the day of the bride, the date of the engagement, etc.
Matchmaking of the bride was a responsible and important business for the whole family. The main task of the matchmaking was to conclude a property agreement, which allowed to determine the economic foundations of a new marriage and family. Naturally, the matchmakers were interested in the dowry of the bride, and her parents - in the material welfare of the groom. In the modern world, all this remains a convention, and even if parents are concerned about this question, asking about it is no longer accepted.
Many families still have signs and traditions associated with the wedding day and the whole process of preparing for it. They still try to carefully choose the date of the wedding, and also observe some traditions related to the choice of attire for the bride, etc.