WEDDING TRADITIONS
BLESSING
In both Poland and Hungary, weddings are preceded by a touching farewell to the family home. In both countries, the bride and groom kneel before their parents, asking for their blessing for their new life together.
In old Poland, couples often knelt on a bedsheet intended for their wedding night, and a coin was placed in the bride’s shoe – a tradition still practiced in some regions to bring wealth to the newlyweds. In Hungary, special emphasis is placed on the transition into adulthood – in many regions, the father leads his daughter around the house, showing her each room, symbolically saying farewell to her childhood and opening a new chapter.
WEDDING GATES
The road to marriage isn’t easy, and traditional wedding gates are meant to highlight this. On the way to the church, the couple must overcome these obstacles, typically by paying with vodka.
In the past in Poland, gates were made from ropes, colorful crepe paper, and flowers to block the bridal procession – today they are much more creative, often accompanied by costumes and performances. Interestingly, Hungarians also have wedding gates, though they are less common. These obstacles, known as lakodalmas kapu or simply akadály, require the newlyweds to „buy their way through,” usually with pálinka, wine, or sweets.
WELCOMING WITH BREAD
After the wedding ceremony comes the official welcoming of the newlyweds. In Poland, this is done with bread and salt; in Hungary, with bread and wine (Kenyeres és boros köszöntés).
In both cultures, the gesture symbolizes hospitality, as well as wishes for prosperity and good fortune.
There are also small traditional games: in Poland, the bride is asked to choose between bread, salt, or the groom; in Hungary, a tradition called kenyérvágás involves the couple cutting a loaf of bread in half – whoever ends up with the larger piece is said to be the one who will „rule” the marriage.
TOASTS AND SONGS
No wedding would be complete without toasts! In Poland, they are traditionally made with vodka or homemade moonshine – much stronger than vodka. In Hungary, toasts are made with a glass of fruit brandy, pálinka, always raised for the health and happiness of the couple, with the shout of „Egészségedre!” („Cheers!”).
In Poland, after the first toast, the newlyweds throw their glasses over their shoulders – the more shattered glass, the happier the marriage will be.
Subsequent toasts are often accompanied by a traditional chant – „Bitter vodka, bitter vodka, it must be sweetened!” – encouraging the couple to kiss. Hungary doesn’t have an exact equivalent
of this chant, but during toasts, guests often sing folk songs – sometimes even improvising verses about the newlyweds.
FIRST DANCE
In Poland, the first dance is a set part of the wedding program, often with a choreographed routine that officially opens the wedding party – much like a polonaise once opened grand balls. Guests are allowed onto the dance floor only after the first dance!
In Hungary, the newlyweds’ dance doesn’t always open the celebration – it might happen later, sometimes even after midnight, and it has a much more flexible form. It often flows directly into the traditional menyasszonytánc – the bride’s dance, during which guests pay symbolic amounts to dance with her.
This tradition has a Polish equivalent, especially in the Mazovia region – after midnight, guests can dance with both the bride and the groom. Ladies pay for a dance with the groom, and gentlemen with the bride – the money collected traditionally goes toward the first baby carriage.
CAPPING CEREMONY
The capping ceremony (oczepiny) is a classic part of weddings in both Poland and Hungary. In both cases, it symbolizes the bride’s transition into married life.
The name comes from the czepiec – a special cap or headscarf placed on the bride’s head as a symbol of her new status as a married woman.
In Hungary, this ritual is called bekötés, and the traditional headdress, főkötő, is often passed down through generations. After the capping ceremony, Hungarian brides traditionally change their white wedding gown for a red dress!
In Poland, after the capping ceremony, the bride throws her veil or flower crown with her eyes closed into a group of unmarried women – the one who catches it is believed to be the next to marry. Similarly, the groom throws his bow tie or tie to the bachelors, predicting who will marry next.
WEDDING CAKE
Poles and Hungarians share another important wedding moment: the cutting of the wedding cake. Both Polish and Hungarian newlyweds share their cake with the guests to spread sweetness and prosperity, which is hoped to return to them in their married life.
In Poland, the wedding cake – traditionally called korowaj – used to be baked by the couple themselves and shared with their loved ones.
This is not the end of Poland’s sweet traditions, although they vary by region: In Silesia, a special cake called kołacz is given to guests even before the wedding, as an invitation to the celebration; in the Lublin region, cake is distributed at the end of the wedding in the form of a wedding pine cone (szyszka weselna).
Dear Guests,
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for coming to our wedding. We truly appreciate it, especially knowing how long the journey was for some of you.
THANKS TO:
• our friend Grzesiek, who worked with us on our first dance,
• Gergő, who organized the Pálinka,
• Linda, who took the photo for this newspaper and was a wonderful helper during the preparations – both on the wedding day and during the fittings.
We also want to thank all the others who offered their help in the preparations – we are deeply grateful for your support.
SPECIAL THANKS
From the Bride to Uncle Grzegorz, who always wished me a good husband every Christmas during the wafer-sharing tradition. It came true!
Mom Gosia and Dad Adam,
Thank you for all your support over the years leading me to where I am today. Thank you also for welcoming Alex so warmly and for making every effort to integrate with him – from trying to speak English to cooking Hungarian goulash and organizing Hungarian-style campfires. Most of all, thank you for being here with us today.
~ NATALIA
Dad Mihály,
Thank you for being part of this special day and for everything you’ve done along the way. Our path together hasn’t always been simple, but I’m grateful for the things you’ve done to help me get here. It truly means a lot to have you with me as I start this new chapter.
~ ALEX
Patrycja,
Thank you for being such an amazing maid of honor, supporting us from the very beginning – from searching for the wedding venue to choosing the wedding dress. You listened patiently to all the pros and cons during vendor selection and – even when we were three thousand kilometers apart – you regularly called and supported us in preparations.
P.S. Thank you for organizing such a bachelorette party!
Rostek,
Having you by my side today means more than I can put into words. Your friendship, support, and loyalty have been constant through the ups and downs, and I couldn’t imagine this day without you. Whether it was helping me through tough decisions or showing up when it mattered most, you’ve always had my back – and today is no exception.
Thank you for standing with me, not just today, but throughout the years. I’m lucky to call you my best man, and even luckier to call you my friend, my brother. Glad to have you in my life and appreciate everything.
WEDDING CONVERSATIONS
POLISH- ENGLISH- HUNGARIAN
Panna Młoda Bride
Mennyasszony
Pan Młody Groom Vőlegény
Żona Wife Feleség
Mąż Husband Férj
Nowożeńcy Newlyweds Ifjú pár
Ślub Wedding Esküvő
Wesele Wedding reception Esküvői fogadás
Kocham Cię I love you Szeretlek Cześć! Hello! Szia!
Dzień dobry! Good morning! Jó reggelt! Proszę Please Kérlek / kérem Przepraszam I’m sorry / Excuse me Elnézést Dziękuję Thank you Köszönöm
Smacznego Enjoy your meal Jó étvágyat Na zdrowie! Cheers! Egészségedre / -tekre Do widzenia! Goodbye! Viszlát!
Oczywiście! Of course! / Sure! Természetesen
Gratulacje Congratulations Gratulálok
Kieliszek Shot glass Felespohár Wszystkiego najlepszego! All the best! Minden jót! Zdrowie! Cheers! Egészség!
Gorzko, gorzko! Kiss, Kiss! Csók, csók! Polej! Pour! Tölts! Pijemy! Let’s drink! Igyunk! Ze mną się nie napijesz? Won’t you drink with me? Nem iszol velem egyet? Czy mogę Cię prosić do tańca? Would you like to dance? Szeretnél táncolni?
Where did our guests travel from?
On your tables, you’ll find Pálinka – a traditional Hungarian spirit full of character! It’s like the great-grandmother of vodka, but made exclusively from fruit – most often plums, apricots, pears, or cherries. In taste: strong, warming, fruity, and surprisingly aromatic.
Cheers!
And where they are from...
NORWAY | SWEDEN
LITHUANIA | UKRAINE | SLOVAKIA UNITED STATES | HUNGARY BRAZIL | PHILIPPINES | POLAND
LITHUANIA NORWAY
HUNGARY
Guinea fowl broth served with noodles and chicken dumplings
Tomato cream soup with basil and garlic crouton
MAIN COURSE
Traditional Silesian roulade
Crispy chicken cutlets with mozzarella Chicken Devolay
Pork loin baked with oscypek cheese, bacon, and mushrooms
Salmon under a vegetable blanket
Silesian dumplings
Roasted herbed potato wedges
Red cabbage with cranberries
Carrot and orange slaw
Mixed green salad with forest fruit chutney
Falafel served with green beans
DESSERT
Caramel panna cotta with strawberry-lime sauce
Mango-passionfruit mousse dessert
WEDDING CAKE
Pistachio with raspberries
FIRST SUPPER
Pork tenderloin with porcini mushroom sauce served with vegetable gratin
Pumpkin, chickpea, and tomato stew served with potato pancakes
PIZZA
Margherita: tomato sauce, cheese, oregano
Capricciosa: white sauce, cheese, smoked pork loin, mushrooms, oregano
Parma: tomato sauce, cheese, Parma ham, arugula
Spinaci: white sauce, cheese, ricotta cheese, spinach, garlic, oregano
SECOND SUPPER
Borscht with meat-filled pastry
Vegetable broth borscht with cabbage and mushroom pastry
COLD BUFFET
Charcuterie board
Cheese board with cranberries
Fish board: herring and smoked fish
Colorful mini buns
Savory tartlets
Mini savory croissants
Puff pastry rolls
Cheese roulade with colorful filling
Spinach roulade with creamy cheese spread
Freshly baked bread with butter
Mixed salad with pear, blue cheese, walnuts, and honey
Caesar salad
TO DRINK
At the buffet, you’ll find non-alcoholic beer and wine.
There’s also draft beer, a prosecco bar, and drink add-ons like lemon and mint.
FOR FUN
Need a break from the dance floor?
Check out our outdoor games!
Outside, you’ll find:
• Sjoelen – Dutch shuffleboard,
• Novuss – sailors’ billiards,
• Checkers – a classic in XXL size,
• Connect Four – line up four,
• BruBag – target throwing game,
• Quoits – ring toss.
16:00 DINNER
17:30
18:30 COLD BUFFET
19:00 WEDDING CAKE
21:00 I SUPPER
23:00 PIZZA
00:00 CAPPING CEREMONY
00:30 II SUPPER
SWEET TABLE
The dessert table will be available for you throughout the entire wedding.
MINI
PASTRIES
Mini passion fruit-mango meringue with whipped cream and fruit
Chocolate muffins with filling
Mini almond tarts with white chocolate and mascarpone cream
Mini banoffee cakes
Cake pops and cake slices
Cream-filled profiteroles
Donuts
DESSERTS
Tiramisu
Mango dessert
Chocolate mousse
Panna cotta with raspberries
Fruit mousse with jelly
Peanut butter mousse with bananas and caramel
CAKES
Carrot cake
Raspberry brownie
Cheesecake with salted caramel and peanuts
Rustic apple tart
“FREE-FROM” SWEET TABLE
Coconut panna cotta with raspberries
Chocolate dessert with cherries
Chia dessert with mango-passionfruit mousse
Chocolate muffins with vegan cream
Fruit muffins with vegan cream
Coffee and tea buffet available throughout the wedding.
