Quick Answer
What is perekrytie dorogi?
Perekrytie dorogi ("blocking the road") is a folk custom where children or neighbours stretch a ribbon or rope across the road as a wedding motorcade passes, forcing the car to stop until the groom pays a small toll — sweets, coins, or a symbolic gift — to be let through.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is perekrytie dorogi?
Also called: road ransom, wedding motorcade toll.
Perekrytie dorogi is the second, smaller-scale ransom of a Russian wedding day — after the groom has already paid his way past the bride's family that morning, the motorcade barely gets moving before local kids string a ribbon across the street and hold their hands out for one more toll.
How the road-blocking custom plays out
As the decorated wedding motorcade drives through a neighbourhood or village en route between the ceremony and the reception (often during svadebnaya progulka), children or neighbours occasionally stretch a ribbon or rope across the road, blocking the lead car's path. The groom, or someone in the car, hands out sweets, small coins, or a token gift, and the ribbon is lowered to let the convoy continue.
- •Most common in residential neighbourhoods, small towns, or villages rather than dense city-centre routes.
- •The "toll" is typically small and symbolic — candy or coins rather than a serious payment.
- •It is an informal, spontaneous folk custom rather than something formally arranged with a vendor.
Planning notes
- •If the motorcade route passes through a residential area or village, keep a small stock of sweets or coins in the lead car in case the custom comes up.
- •Build a little slack into the progulka schedule for these unplanned stops, since they can happen more than once along a longer route.
- •It is optional and informal — not every route or neighbourhood will produce a road-blocking moment, so don't plan around it happening.
Build realistic buffer into the day-of schedule
Weddingkart's wedding checklist helps you pad the motorcade and travel schedule for the small, unplanned moments that come up on the day.
Try the wedding checklist tool →Frequently Asked Questions
Is perekrytie dorogi the same as vykup nevesty?
No — vykup nevesty happens at the bride's home in the morning before the ceremony, while perekrytie dorogi is a separate, smaller custom that can happen later, during the motorcade drive between the ceremony and the reception.
Who blocks the road during perekrytie dorogi?
Usually children or neighbours from the area the motorcade is passing through, rather than anyone connected to the wedding party itself.
Do couples need to plan for this in advance?
Not formally — it is a spontaneous folk custom rather than a scheduled part of the day, though keeping small sweets or coins on hand in the lead car is a common, low-effort precaution.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated