When you think of Polish weddings, you might imagine grand ballrooms, lavish banquets, and a crowd big enough to fill a stadium. But lately, more and more Polish couples are turning to something cozier, warmer, and, dare we say, more magical — backyard weddings. Yes, swapping chandeliers for apple trees and polished dance floors for soft garden grass.
So, if you’re sipping coffee and dreaming about saying “I do” under the open sky, this article is for you.
Why Polish Backyard Weddings are Winning Hearts
It’s simple — intimacy, charm, and authenticity. Backyard weddings feel less like an event and more like a family gathering (but with way better outfits and more vodka). The freedom to personalize every corner — from DIY decorations to grandma’s apple pie — makes these weddings incredibly meaningful.
Plus, let’s be honest — with Polish inflation, saving a few złoty while still having the dream wedding sounds like a plan, right?
Local Traditions that Make Polish Backyard Weddings Magical
Bread & Salt Welcome
Picture this: you and your partner arrive, and your parents are waiting by the garden gate with freshly baked bread and a pinch of salt. It’s a wish for prosperity and endurance — simple, touching, and very Polish. And yes, it tastes better under the plum tree than in any banquet hall.
Oczepiny – The Midnight Mischief
Around midnight, the bride’s veil comes off, and the party turns playful. The oczepiny ceremony is the perfect way to involve guests in hilarious games (expect your uncle to dance like never before) and mark the symbolic shift from Miss to Mrs.
Sto Lat — The Toast that Echoes
When everyone starts singing “Sto Lat” under the twinkling fairy lights and starry Polish sky, you’ll realize this is exactly where you were meant to be. Bonus points if there’s an accordion involved.
DIY & Decor: Your Garden, Your Canvas
Backyard weddings let you go wild with creativity. Think rustic wooden tables, linen napkins, wildflowers from a local meadow, and hand-woven wianki (flower crowns). And don’t forget those magical string lights — nothing beats their glow when the night falls.
Need a spot that already feels like a dream garden?
These places offer stunning garden spaces if your own backyard feels more like a parking lot than a secret garden.
Polish Wedding Feast — Because We Don’t Do Small Portions
No Polish wedding is complete without a proper feast.
- Pierogi Station: Let guests stuff their faces with handmade dumplings — from classic ruskie to sweet strawberry pierogi.
- Kociołek over an open fire: nothing smells (or tastes) better than a slow-cooked stew shared under the stars.
- Kołacz Cake: Traditional Polish sweet bread makes the perfect wedding cake alternative.
- Vodka & Nalewki Corner: From bison grass vodka to homemade cherry liqueur (nalewka), your backyard bar will be the party starter.
Tip: Warn your foreign guests. They don’t know what’s coming.
Real Story: Kasia & Rafał’s Backyard Love Story
Kasia and Rafał ditched the traditional venue and hosted their wedding in Kasia’s parents’ garden near Kraków. They strung fairy lights between apple trees, set up a pierogi-making station (Kasia’s babcia was the queen of it), and danced barefoot to a local folk band. As Kasia later said:
“When the sun set and I saw our friends singing Sto Lat under the stars, I knew we did the right thing.”
Budget Breakdown — Yes, It Can Be Affordable!
Here’s an approximate budget snapshot for a 50-guest Polish backyard wedding:
- Decor & DIY: 5,000 - 8,000 PLN
- Catering (traditional Polish dishes): 8,000 - 15,000 PLN
- Folk band or DJ: 3,000 - 7,000 PLN
- Photography: starting from 3,500 PLN (but it’s worth every grosz)
- Tent & Backup Plan: 5,000 - 10,000 PLN
Not bad compared to huge wedding venues, right?
Polish Backyard Wedding Checklist
✅ Secure a garden or rent one
✅ Plan for weather (tents, heaters, blankets)
✅ Traditional food & drinks
✅ Local folk music
✅ Fairy lights and rustic decor
✅ Photographer who understands Polish magic (hint below 😉)
Capturing Moments That Feel Like Home
If you're looking for someone who doesn't just take photos but captures the soul of your day — those quiet, funny, and emotional moments — I’m here for you. Backyard weddings are my absolute favorite because they’re real, raw, and full of love.
Take a look at some real backyard love stories I’ve captured at my portfolio.
Check out wedding photography packages tailored for Polish couples.
Or just say hi, share your plans, and let’s make magic together via contact page.
Because every backyard has a story, and I’d love to tell yours.
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