Many modern Hungarian brides are opting for an American inspired

wedding. There are a few couples that opt for a traditional Hungarian

wedding, however.

In a traditional Hungarian wedding, the best man visits each of the wedding guest personally and invites them to the wedding. He also arranges all the details of the wedding, which can last as long as three days. Modern Hungarian couples will personally invite their wedding guest.

Traditional Hungarian wedding dresses were very colorful and covered with elaborate embroidery. The embroidery would also cover the bride’s head dress. Underneath the dress were layers of petticoats.

Most modern Hungarian brides opt for the American white wedding dress.

In the past the entire village would form a wedding processional to escort the bride to the groom’s house. The bride would travel in a painted cart. On the way to the groom’s house there would be toast. The bride would also be kidnapped by wedding guest on the way to the groom’s house.. The groom would have to rescue his bride before the ceremony could begin.

   When the processional

finally arrives at the groom’s house, the groom’s parents would great her with a glass of wine. After the bride drinks the glass she would throw it over her shoulder.

She might also step on an egg. Both of these traditions are said to insure the couple would have healthy children.

A handful of coins would be tossed on the floor and then the couple would break plates over them. The bride then had to sweep the shards and coins into two separate piles, to prove what a hard worker she was. It was said the more pieces the plates broke into the happier the marriage would be.

 

In order for a marriage to be legal in

Hungary the wedding must take place at the

courthouse. The bride and groom and two

witnesses take part in a brief civil ceremony

and sign their names in the local registry

book. Most couples will have a religious

ceremony following the civil ceremony.

Often the wedding processional goes from

the courthouse to the church. During the

religious ceremony, the bride and groom sit

at the front of the church. Wedding guest

will come forward to wish them well, sing,

or recite poems.

 During their engagement,

Hungarian couples wear their wedding weddings on their left hands. At the end of the wedding ceremony, they switch the rings to their right hands. The bride will give her new husband 3 or 7 handkerchiefs, for good luck, and the groom will give the bride a small bag of coins.

 Wedding gifts are given to

the bride and groom as they leave the church or when they arrive at their new home. The bride and groom keep track of what each guest brings, so when that guest has an event the bride and groom can give them a similar gift.

The food at the reception is plentiful. Much of the food is seasoned with paprika, which is belived to have magical properties.

Meat soup Stuffed Cabbage

stew liver sausage and chipolata

strudel

The reception is filled with singing, dancing, and drinking. Traditional folk dances and gypsy music are very popular. The bride will often do a money dance. The male wedding guest will pay to dance with the bride. They will pin money on her dress, or drop it in her shoes, which are left in the middle of the dance floor. The guest are expected to be generous when paying for a dance, because the money is used to help the couple set up their new home.