Karavay is the decorated sweet bread presented to newlyweds in a traditional Russian wedding custom.
The bread is often round and richly decorated with dough ornaments such as flowers, leaves, wheat, and birds. A parent may present it to the couple on an embroidered towel, called a rushnyk. In a popular modern version of the custom, each partner takes a bite without using their hands; the larger bite is said to identify the household’s head.
Karavay belongs to a broader East Slavic tradition in which bread represents hospitality, prosperity, and the welcome offered by a family. Its exact ingredients and presentation vary by region.
Karavay is not the same as kulich, the tall sweet bread associated with Orthodox Easter, or paskha, a molded Easter dessert made with farmer cheese.