Lyla Dejesus
Polish weddings are famous for being long and raucous affairs. The celebrations typically span two days and are steeped in tradition, from the solemn Catholic ceremony to the lively reception with its games, music, and dancing. The wedding party starts after the church service and can last until the early morning, with guests often changing into flats as the night goes on. But the fun doesn't stop there—the second day, called Poprawiny, is a more relaxed gathering for close friends and family, with the festivities continuing into the late evening.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | Two days |
| Ceremony Length | 1-1.5 hours |
| Ceremony Time | 1-3 pm |
| Party Start Time | 3-4 pm |
| Day 2 Start Time | 1 pm |
| Day 2 End Time | 7-8 pm |
| Venue | Catholic Church |
| Clothing | Traditional Polish clothing |
| Food | Bread, salt, broth, meats, potatoes, "zakąski" (Polish tapas), cakes, pastries, fruit |
| Drinks | Vodka, wine |
| Gifts | Money, bottle of wine, flowers |
| Traditions | "Sto Lat" (Polish celebratory song), "wysiewanie kłosów" (sowing of the wheat), "złoty kłos" (golden sheaf), games |
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Ceremony and reception
Polish weddings traditionally consist of a church ceremony followed by a reception. The ceremony, called the Ślub, is usually held in a Catholic church and can last for about an hour and a half. It is conducted in Polish and led by a Catholic priest. After the couple exchanges traditional vows, guests shower them with flowers, rice, and barley, which symbolises prayers for fertility and abundance.
Following the ceremony, guests often gather outside the church to cheer and sing the Polish celebratory song "Sto Lat", wishing the couple a happy 100 years. A line is formed, and each guest greets the couple with kisses on the cheek, well wishes, and presents. Gifts typically consist of a card with money and a bottle of wine or flowers, as wedding registries are uncommon in Poland.
The reception, often held in a large hall or outdoor space, features a sit-down dinner with multiple courses of traditional Polish cuisine, including pierogi, kielbasa, and bigos, as well as an assortment of appetizers. Vodka, wine, and other drinks are also served, with shots of vodka being a popular choice for toasting the newlyweds. The reception is filled with traditional Polish music and dancing, including the Polish Apron Dance, where guests dance with the couple to lively polka tunes while throwing money into an apron held by the father of the bride.
Polish weddings are known to last for at least two days, with the second day, called the Poprawiny, resuming on Sunday around noon and continuing into the late evening. This allows for maximum partying and eliminates the risk of drinking and driving, which is strictly prohibited in Poland. The celebrations are filled with food, drinks, and games, ensuring that the couple and their guests have an enjoyable and memorable time.
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Food and drink
Polish weddings are known to be long and exhausting, so guests are advised to prepare themselves. The celebrations can last until the early morning, and the festivities resume the following day. The wedding ceremony typically takes place in a Catholic church and lasts around 45 minutes to an hour. The reception often includes a traditional presentation of bread and salt to the newlyweds by their parents, who bless them with the words: "According to our Old Polish tradition, we greet you with bread and salt, so that your home might always enjoy abundance."
In addition to the food, vodka is a must at Polish weddings. It is considered extremely meaningful in Polish culture and can be found on every table. Guests are greeted with chilled vodka shots, and the newlyweds often share their first toast with two glasses—one with vodka and one with water. The bride chooses a glass without knowing which contains vodka, and tradition says that whoever gets the vodka will be the dominant partner. Throughout the night, guests frequently raise toasts, and the vodka flows freely. Polish vodka comes in various flavours and is made from grains like rye, wheat, or potatoes, resulting in a clear and strong liquor. For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, kompot, a fruity beverage served hot or cold, is a popular choice.
To survive the night, guests are advised to pace themselves with food and drink. It is customary to bring a gift of wine or flowers to the couple, so guests may want to start hydrating early! With all the drinking, dancing, and festivities, Polish weddings are a fun and memorable experience.
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Gifts and well-wishes
Polish weddings are known for their fun, food, and festivities, but they are also exhausting. It is customary to give the newlyweds gifts and well-wishes, and there are several traditions to be aware of. Firstly, the ceremony is usually held in a Catholic church, and guests are expected to bring a gift for the couple. This gift is typically an envelope, or "koperta", containing money, along with a small additional gift such as a bottle of wine, flowers, a book, or a donation to a charity of the couple's choice. It is important to note that wedding registries are not common in Poland, so money is always expected to be included in the gift.
After the ceremony, the couple exits the church, and guests line up to give their well-wishes to the newlyweds. Traditional Polish wishes include "Wszystkiego najlepszego!", which translates to "All the best!", or "Sto Lat", a song traditionally sung on birthdays and weddings, wishing the couple a happy 100 years. Guests may also offer simple greetings such as "gratulacje" and "wszystkiego najlepszego". These well-wishes are an important part of the Polish wedding tradition, as Poles take their wishes very seriously, seeing them as positive affirmations for the couple's new life together.
Another important tradition is the "wysiewanie kłosów", or "sowing of the wheat". During the ceremony, the parents of the bride and groom scatter wheat over the heads of the couple as they kneel before the altar, symbolizing fertility and abundance. The "złoty kłos", or "golden sheaf", is also given to the couple by their parents, decorated with a gold ribbon, as another symbol of prosperity.
The wedding celebrations in Poland typically last two days. The second day is called "Poprawiny", which means "to correct" or "improve". This day is less formal and is an opportunity to finish any remaining vodka from the previous day's festivities. It usually starts around 1 pm and lasts until the evening, often including more food, drink, music, and dancing. The "Poprawiny" is a more intimate gathering, with only close family members and friends in attendance, providing a relaxed atmosphere to celebrate the newlyweds once more.
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Traditions
Polish weddings are full of traditions, both ancient and modern. One of the most important traditions is the "sowing of the wheat", or wysiewanie kłosów. This involves the parents of the bride and groom scattering wheat over the heads of the couple as they kneel before the altar, symbolising fertility and abundance. Another important custom is the sharing of wedding bread, or chleb weselny, which is a special ring-shaped loaf. The couple breaks off a piece and feeds it to each other, before the guests do the same, symbolising their unity and the start of their life together.
The wedding ceremony is usually held in a Catholic church, with the bride and groom exchanging vows. The groom may also play a game where he has to guess his bride's legs from a group of women sitting concealed with their skirts and dresses rolled up. After the ceremony, the guests often enjoy a large feast, with plenty of food and drink, including vodka, wine, and Polish tapas. The reception is often held in a large hall or outdoor space, with live music and dancing.
On the second day of the wedding, called Poprawiny, the celebrations continue, usually in a more relaxed and private setting with only close family and friends. This day can be translated as "to correct" or "improve", and it is an opportunity to finish the remaining vodka.
There are several other traditions associated with Polish weddings. For example, the couple may wear traditional clothing, with the bride in a white dress and veil, crowned with flowers, and the groom and his best men in white suits. Guests may also wear all white. The wedding invitation is typically hand-delivered by the couple, and the ceremony begins around 1 pm on a Saturday, lasting for about 1.5 hours. After the ceremony, the guests gather outside the church, cheering and singing the Polish celebratory song "Sto Lat" before forming a line to greet the couple with kisses and well wishes.
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Accommodation
Polish weddings are typically held at hotels, which provide an all-inclusive experience, including accommodation for guests. However, this is not always the case, and some reception venues may not have enough rooms for all guests. In these instances, only close family members may have a room to stay in, while other guests must make their own arrangements. It is customary for the couple to provide accommodation, and this contributes to the festive atmosphere, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the celebration.
The wedding festivities span two days, with the first day dedicated to the wedding and reception, and the second day, called the "poprawiny", being more casual. The ceremony, known as the "ślub", usually takes place on a Saturday afternoon, starting around 1 pm to 4 pm and lasting for about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. It is a formal and religious affair, conducted in a Catholic church, and is followed by the reception, or "wesele", which can continue until the early morning.
The second day, the "poprawiny", resumes on Sunday around noon and extends into the late evening. It is a more relaxed gathering, with guests enjoying leftover food and drinks from the previous day. The duration of the poprawiny can vary, but it often serves as an opportunity for guests to recuperate and celebrate the newlyweds in a more intimate setting.
Given the length and intensity of Polish wedding celebrations, accommodation plays a crucial role in ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of the guests. It allows guests to rest and recharge, especially if they have travelled a long distance to attend the wedding. Additionally, having accommodation on-site or nearby can enhance the festive atmosphere, encouraging guests to fully engage in the festivities without the concern of travelling long distances after a long night of celebration.
When attending a Polish wedding, it is important to be mindful of the cultural norms and traditions associated with accommodation. These may include the couple providing accommodation, the importance of comfort and proximity to the venue, and the potential for a more intimate setting on the second day of celebrations. By understanding these customs, guests can actively contribute to the joyous atmosphere and create lasting memories with the happy couple.
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Frequently asked questions
A Polish wedding is a two-day affair. The first day, called Ślub, is the formal ceremony and usually starts around 1 pm and finishes in 1.5 hours. The second day, called Poprawiny, starts on Sunday around 1 pm and lasts until 7 or 8 pm.
The first day involves the wedding ceremony, which is usually held in a Catholic church. After the ceremony, there is a reception with food, drinks, music, and dancing, which can last until the early morning.
The second day is less formal and is an opportunity for guests to drink the rest of the vodka and celebrate with the newlyweds again.
