Polish Wedding traditions

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Polish Wedding traditions
Photo by Andrii Olishevskyi / Unsplash

What to Expect...

A Polish wedding is a marathon, not a sprint. 😎 We start in the afternoon and usually finish when the sun comes up. Here is how we’ll celebrate together!

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Important: Please exit the church after the ceremony. We want to be greeted by all your smiling faces outside before we head to Kalinówka! 😊

The Arrival

When we arrive at Kalinówka, our parents will greet us with Bread and Salt. This is an ancient tradition:

  • Bread: So we may never know hunger.
  • Salt: To remind us that life has its difficulties.
  • The Shot: A shot of vodka, because it's Poland!

The Agenda & the Flow of the Night

  • The First Toast: A group "Na Zdrowie!" and a welcome drink.
  • The Seat Map: Check the board to find your table.
  • The Dinner: A multi-course sit-down meal.
  • The First Dance: We’ll open the floor, and then it’s your turn to join us.
  • Bilingual Celebration: Everything will be announced in both Polish and English.

Oczepiny!

At midnight, we transition from the 'wedding' to the 'party party.' This is called Oczepiny!

  • The Veil & Tie: We will play a game with all single women and men, to find out the next bride and groom! Good luck (and keep us posted for the where & when 😄).
  • The Games: There are usually light-hearted, slightly crazy games organized by the DJ.
  • Participation: Totally optional! Feel free to join in or just watch with a drink in hand. But no pressure.
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Vodka: It’s traditionally served on every table. If you aren't a vodka drinker, don't worry—wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options are plenty. Pace yourself! 💪😎
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The Forever Food: Just when you think you’re full, more hot food will arrive. Expect a hot meal every few hours, including a late-night soup (like Żurek or Barszcz) to keep you going.
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Dancing: The floor never stays empty for long!

Polish wedding keywords

Wesele

The wedding party.

Na zdrowie!

Cheers! (Literally: To your health).

Gorzko! Gorzko!

This means 'Bitter! Bitter!' If you hear the guests chanting this, it means we have to kiss to 'sweeten' the atmosphere." 😂 (A classic you should definitely include! 😁)

Para Młoda

The Newlyweds (Us!).

A small note on gifts

Your presence is the greatest gift. Since we are traveling back to Brussels, material gifts will be tricky to transport. If you wish to give something, a contribution to our honeymoon fund would be greatly appreciated.