Polish Wedding Checklist

Book Catholic Church

Reserve a Catholic church for the ceremony, and confirm the schedule of the nauki przedmalzenskie (pre-marriage classes) with the parish priest.

Complete Nauki Przedmalzenskie (Pre-Marriage Classes)

Attend the Catholic pre-marriage preparation classes that the diocese requires before the ceremony can take place.

Obtain Civil Documents from USC

Collect the required civil documents from the Urzad Stanu Cywilnego (civil registry office), so that the church ceremony also has civil legal validity under the 1998 Concordat.

Book Reception Venue (Sala Weselna)

Reserve a sala weselna (wedding hall) that can host an all-night celebration, with a full kitchen for the multi-course dinner and the late-night buffet.

Book Band or DJ for Polish Wedding Music

Book a live band or DJ who has experience with Polish wedding music, such as the Polonez, oberek and polka, and contemporary Polish pop for the all-night reception.

Order Vodka Supply

Order enough Polish vodka for the reception. Traditional planning allows about one 0.5L bottle for every 2–3 guests for the whole evening.

Arrange Decorated Bread Loaf for Chleb i Sol

Order or arrange the baking of a large round decorated bread loaf (bochen chleba) for the bread and salt welcome at the reception entrance.

Prepare Czepek for Oczepiny

Get or commission a czepek (a married woman's cap) for the midnight Oczepiny ceremony. The cap should be decorated and meaningful to you.

Coordinate Brama Weselna (Gate Blocking)

If you want it, arrange with neighbors or friends to set up the traditional Brama Weselna gate barrier on the route to the church. Prepare the toll items: vodka, sweets and cash.

Purchase Gold Wedding Rings (Obrączki)

Get traditional plain gold wedding bands. In Poland, wedding rings are worn on the right hand, a tradition linked to the period of the 1863 January Uprising.

Prepare Blessing Icon or Crucifix

Have a religious icon or crucifix for the parents' Blogoslawienstwo blessing, which takes place at the family home before you leave for the church.

Order Marian Bouquet (Bukiet Maryjny)

Order a separate floral arrangement for the bride to place at the altar of the Virgin Mary during the Marian devotion part of the ceremony.

Confirm Two Adult Witnesses (Świadkowie)

Confirm the two adult witnesses who will sign the marriage documents. Each partner chooses one witness.

Arrange Poprawiny Venue

Book a venue or prepare a family home for the celebration the next day. Many couples use the same reception hall, which makes the logistics simpler.

Plan Day-After Menu

Plan a hearty Poprawiny menu of traditional Polish recovery foods: zurek (sour rye soup), rosol (clear chicken broth), bigos (hunter's stew) and cold meats.

Stock Additional Drinks for Poprawiny

Stock enough drinks for the second day, including beer, wine and any vodka left from the main reception.