Wedding Traditions in Hungary
From Budapest’s lively arts and cultural scene to the majestic lakes and countryside, Hungary is a remarkable hodgepodge of old and new. Explore some of Hungary’s traditions and see how you can weave them into your own wedding.
Wedding Traditions in Hungary
Pre-Wedding Traditions
The best man gives his first big emotional speech when the bride officially leaves her parents’ home.
Ceremony
The couple traditionally arrives by a horse-drawn carriage. The bride gives the groom handkerchiefs, in biblical numbers of either three or seven; the groom gives the bride a bag of money as a sign he trusts her with their worldly goods.
Attire
The bride wears an ornate headdress and the colorful Hungarian folk costume. Brides carry two bouquets, one for the ceremony and the other as an offering to a patron saint or to throw to a bridesmaid.
Reception Rituals
After the best man’s speech, the bride kisses him and takes him for the first dance. The Hungarians also have their version of the money dance: the bride places her shoes in the middle of the dance floor and those who would pay for a chance to dance with her place their money there. Hungarian wedding parties sometimes last for several days.
Tips and Ideas for Incorporating Traditions Into Your Modern-Day Wedding
- You may not be up for an ornate headdress and folk costume, but you can update tradition by considering a colorful reception gown and tiara!