Invited to a Hungarian wedding? These are the things you should be aware of

A wedding is one of the most special moments in a couple’s life. There are many customs and traditions associated with the big day. We have already introduced some of the old Hungarian traditions in our previous articles. Now we will get you acquainted with the typical schedule of a Hungarian wedding. So the next time you are invited to a Hungarian friend’s wedding, there will be no surprises.

First look photo session — 30-60 mins

If the couple does not want to risk postponing the photo shoot, they often schedule it for the very beginning of the event. This way you do not have to leave their guests during the reception.

Waiting for guests — 1 hour

This is when the guests arrive. The in-laws and distant relatives get to know each other a bit and have a chat before the ceremony and dinner. The bride does not attend this part so that she can be first seen in her dress at the ceremony. The groom and family welcome the guests. This can give the bride extra time to get ready.

Civil ceremony — 30-60 mins

Civil ceremonies are usually short. After saying ‘yes’ and exchanging the rings, the vows are also quintessential elements. However, things may vary. The officiant will prepare a personalised speech. Usually, the civil ceremony including the procession takes half an hour.

Church ceremony — 30-60 mins

A church ceremony is slightly longer than a civil ceremony. The length of the ceremony depends on the church and priest. It usually takes 40-50 minutes. This fact should be taken into consideration if you have to travel to a more remote location for each service.

Congratulations — 30-60 mins

The length of the congratulations depends mainly on the number of guests. It usually takes one and a half minutes per guest, family and couple. If there is no bridal dance, this is also the time for the presentation of gifts.

Photography — 1 hour

The length of the photo session also depends on the number of guests. The couple takes photos both with the entire crowd and in smaller groups. The newlyweds often divide the guests into pre-planned groups, and the master of ceremonies will assist the bride and groom in that.

Dinner plus games — 2-3 hours

During dinner, all guests are seated and served various traditional dishes. Since there are different games for the couple during dinner, it is a good idea to combine these activities. Depending on the number of courses and games, you should allow 2-3 hours for this activity.

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First dance — 15-30 minutes

The dance is usually a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes. However, after this the guests can dance with the wife and husband. The style of dance is a personal choice.

Cake — 30 mins

Cutting and dividing the cake takes at least half an hour. It is said that the member of the couple whose hand is higher up when cutting the first slice of cake will make all the decisions during the marriage. It can also extend the duration of the programme if the guests can choose from a selection of flavours when it is a multi-layer cake.

Bridesmaid dance — 30-60 mins

During the bride dance, everyone can invite the bride to dance. Usually, couples and families are asked to do it at the same time to speed up the process. Usually, if there is a large crowd of guests, the bride is not kept waiting for more than half a minute.

Midnight meal and party

This is no longer a compulsory programme. Some guests may leave earlier while others have specific diet restrictions. However, those who stay can expect the good times to roll on until dawn.

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