Things to know before you marry a Hungarian – unique wedding traditions

There is no wedding like a Hungarian wedding. Traditional Hungarian food on the table, good wine and pálinka literally flowing everywhere, and people have a great time. However, if you are not Hungarian, and you are about to marry one, here are a few wedding traditions to prepare for.

In our previous article On dating Hungarians, you could read about the three crucial things to consider when dating a Hungarian: (1) be prepared for a dry, sarcastic sense of humour and a somewhat cynical worldview, (2) be careful with your compliments, and (3) avoid unnecessary and superfluous gifts. The three characteristics specified in the previous article still stand, but there are a few additional things to consider too.

Unique wedding traditions

Each nation has its own unique wedding traditions that definitely seem weird to outsiders. Hungary is no exception.

Bride kidnapping

In Hungary, it is a custom to “kidnap” the bride. This means that the families’ younger friends take away the bride to a party or a bar and would not take her back until the groom “paid a ransom”. This is not a particularly safe tradition, and accidents have happened in the past. During one of these kidnappings, a bride was dropped and suffered serious injuries, having to be taken to a hospital.

Candlelight waltz

The gyertyafénykeringő [candlelight waltz] is a way for the bride to say goodbye to her white dress. She dances one last dance with the groom in the dress, while they are holding one candle in their hands. The guests gather in a big circle around the couple holding candles, which the newlyweds blow out while dancing. When all “guest candles” are blown out, the couple blows out their own candle and leaves the room to change dress.