10 Hungarian Wedding Traditions and Rituals

Are you planning a wedding? If so, there are some amazing Hungarian wedding traditions that can add an extra special touch to your big day.

Hungarian weddings are known for their unique and beautiful ceremonies, from the engagement rituals to the reception customs.

So if you’re looking for something different or want to learn more about these interesting practices, here is a list of traditional Hungarian wedding traditions that will make your celebration even more memorable.

Hungarian Wedding Traditions

1. Engagement Traditions

Engagement traditions are an important part of the wedding journey in Hungary.

Proposal customs usually involve the groom presenting a gift to the bride’s family, such as a bottle of wine or flowers.

This is meant to show respect and gratitude for their blessing on the union. The ring exchange ceremony is also a significant part of the engagement tradition in Hungary.

It typically takes place in front of family and friends, with both partners exchanging rings and making promises to each other.

This symbolizes their commitment to one another and marks the start of their new life together as husband and wife-to-be.

An engagement party follows this ceremony, where guests can celebrate with music, food, drinks, dancing, and more.

Engagement parties are often hosted by either side of the couple’s families or close friends who want to share in their joyous occasion.

Wedding Ceremony Traditions

When it comes to wedding ceremonies, Hungarian couples have plenty of traditions that are often included in their special day.

2. Bride’s Attire and Accessories

Brides typically wear white gowns with intricate embroidery and lace for their big day.

They may also choose to accessorize with traditional jewelry such as gold coins. Additionally, they often don a veil or headpiece, such as a wreath of flowers or an ornate tiara.

Some other traditional Hungarian jewelry may also be worn.

Such pieces typically feature intricate designs and patterns, often inspired by nature and folklore.

Popular pieces include the Csillagofa necklace, made with cutouts of stars and Crosses; the Körmöcske bracelet, which has a small brain-like design at its center; and the Bojtorján necklace, which is shaped like a thistle flower.

Silver filigree jewelry is also popular and often features symbols from the zodiac or mystical creatures such as dragons.

3. Groom’s Attire and Accessories

On a traditional Hungarian wedding day, the groom typically wears a three-piece black or navy blue suit with a white shirt and a contrasting tie.

For formal weddings, he may also choose to pair his outfit with a top hat and tails.

The bride will often give him a boutonniere to wear as an additional accessory.

They may also choose to add accessories like a pocket watch.

Reception Traditions

4. Music and Dancing

Music is an essential part of any Hungarian wedding reception.

Traditional music includes folk songs and popular tunes from around the world.

Couples may choose to have a live band or DJ play their favorite songs, while others opt for traditional Hungarian music like gypsy jazz, polka, and waltzes.

Guests are encouraged to dance throughout the night, celebrating the newlyweds’ union.

Hungarian weddings typically have a first dance.

The couple often chooses a romantic song such as “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley or “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” by Diana Ross.

The guests then join in and form a circle around the bride and groom, dancing to the aforementioned traditional Hungarian music.

5. Food and Drink Traditions

Traditional Hungarian wedding feasts usually include an abundance of delicious foods.

Popular dishes include goulash, fish soup, and stuffed cabbage rolls. For dessert, guests often enjoy typical pastries such as strudel or Kürtőskalács—a spiral-shaped pastry coated with sugar and cinnamon.

If the celebration is a larger one—the guest list may also feature other traditional foods like beef stew, dumplings, pork roast, and potatoes.

To top it off? Delicious Hungarian wines from local vineyards bring the perfect touch to any special occasion.

Drinks also tend to include beer, champagne, or pálinka—an alcoholic beverage made from fruit that is unique to Hungary.

6. Gifting

At weddings in Hungary, guests may give gifts such as money or household items to help the newlyweds start their life together.

It is common for couples to receive kitchen appliances such as blenders or coffee makers and other useful items like towels or bedding sets from family members who wish them luck on their new journey together.

7. Superstitions

The Hungarians believe in a few wedding superstitions, some of which date back centuries.

One superstition suggests that the bride should never wear pearls on her wedding day—as it is believed to bring tears and heartache in marriage.

It’s also believed that it’s bad luck for the bride to see herself in the mirror while wearing her wedding dress before the big day.

Other customs involve throwing rice over the couple as they exit the ceremony and catching the bridal bouquet—which is said to bring good luck and ensure a strong marriage.

Post-Wedding Traditions

8. Honeymoon

After the wedding festivities, many Hungarian couples go on honeymoons to celebrate their union in private.

This is a time for them to relax and enjoy each other’s company without any outside distractions.

Honeymoon customs vary from couple to couple but typically involve going away for a few days or weeks at a special destination, such as an exotic beach resort or mountain getaway.

9. Blessings

An elder family member sometimes performs a Blessing of the Marriage Bed ceremony before they depart on their honeymoon journey.

This involves blessing the bed sheets with holy water for fertility purposes and wishing the newlyweds good luck in their marriage.

The ritual can be done either at home or during the honeymoon itself, depending on personal preference and religious beliefs.

10. After the Honeymoon

Finally, upon returning home after their honeymoon, it is customary for the bride to return to her parent’s home for one night before moving into her new marital home with her husband.

This tradition serves as a way of honoring both families involved in the marriage while also symbolizing that she will always remain connected to her roots even though she has entered into married life with someone else.

Conclusion

Hungarian wedding traditions are steeped in centuries of history and culture.

From the engagement to the post-wedding celebrations, a wide variety of customs make up this unique set of practices.

Whether you’re looking for something traditional or something more modern, these Hungarian wedding traditions can help you plan your perfect day.

With so many options available, it’s easy to create an unforgettable celebration that will be cherished by everyone who attends.