Let’s be honest—planning a wedding in Poland is less like crafting a romantic fairytale and more like… organizing a royal summit. One part love, two parts traditions, and a heaping spoonful of family opinions (unsolicited, of course).
So what happens when your dream day becomes a battlefield for babcia’s borscht vs. your boho buffet dreams? Here’s your guide to handling family drama like a pro—with grace, humor, and your sanity intact.
🥂 Scene One: You vs. The Guest List (a tragicomedy)
You: “We want a small, intimate wedding.”
Your parents: “Great! Just our close family—only 80 people.”
Ah yes, the classic Polish guest list standoff. Your mom wants to invite all her cousins from Gdańsk. Your future father-in-law insists his fishing buddy must be seated near the priest. Suddenly your 60-person venue feels like a phone booth.
Pro Tip: Set the rules early. Are you inviting only people you’ve seen in the last year? No plus-ones unless they’re married? Write it down. Stick to it. Print it and post it on the fridge.
And when emotions run high, gently remind everyone: “This isn’t a town hall meeting. It’s our wedding.”
👵 Tradition vs. Sanity: Who Will Win?
Polish weddings are dripping with charm: oczepiny games, the breaking of the bread and salt, endless toasts, and singing Sto Lat until your ears ring.
But maybe you don’t want vodka at every table. Maybe you don’t want to be blindfolded at midnight and forced to throw your bouquet to your cousin’s 12-year-old.
Solution? Customize the traditions. Keep what feels joyful. Politely ditch what doesn’t. There’s no law that says you must do every single oczepiny challenge (unless your babcia is in charge… then good luck 🍀).
For inspiration on blending modern with traditional, check out tips from Ślub na Głowie and Wedding.pl.
🛑 Boundaries, Baby!
Before you book a venue, before you try on a dress, before you let your aunt pick linen colors—have the conversation. With your partner, that is.
Ask each other:
- Who gets a say in wedding decisions?
- How much involvement do we want from parents?
- What’s our non-negotiable?
Then tell your families. Kindly. Firmly. Repeatedly, if needed.
One bride we worked with actually printed a FAQ and handed it to relatives. Yes, seriously. Her top answer?
"No, we are not having a disco polo band. Yes, we still love you."
🎭 Drama Forecast: High Chance of Emotional Storms
Got divorced parents who don’t speak? Cousins who haven’t talked since that Easter of 2014? An uncle who drinks a little too much too early?
Plan around them. Literally.
- Seat exes far apart (opposite ends of the room, or different time zones if possible).
- Have a sober friend keep an eye on rowdy relatives.
- Let your DJ know what topics to avoid joking about (trust us).
Sometimes, a wedding planner or day-of coordinator is worth their weight in gold pierogi. Especially if you hire someone local, like the team from OrganizerWesele.pl.
🧘♀️ Your Sanity > Everyone’s Expectations
If you’re waking up at 3 AM wondering whether your dad’s new girlfriend should be allowed at the head table, it's time to hit pause.
Go for a walk. Book a massage. Take a break from planning. Weddings can bring out intense emotions (old wounds, expectations, family hierarchy stuff). But you are not responsible for everyone’s happiness.
Repeat after us: "I am allowed to have a joyful wedding, even if cousin Zosia is offended she’s not a bridesmaid."
📋 BONUS: Top 5 Boundaries to Set Before You Say “I Do”
- Who makes the guest list?
- Who pays for what—and what say comes with that?
- What traditions are must-haves (and no-gos)?
- How often will you discuss wedding stuff with family?
- What’s your plan for handling drama on the day?
Print this. Frame it. Refer to it when emotions rise.
💌 Real Talk: Families are Messy. But Love Wins.
At a wedding I photographed in Kraków, the groom’s parents didn’t show up. Everyone expected a gloomy day. Instead? The couple laughed, cried, and danced harder than anyone else. Their friends became their family that day.
So no matter what happens—who comes, who sulks, who starts a heated debate over ciasto—remember what this is all about: your love story.
And THAT is stronger than any guest list fight.
📸 Want a Photographer Who’s Seen It All (and Still Believes in Magic)?
I’m not just a wedding photographer—I’m your calm in the chaos, your timeline ninja, and your silent cheerleader during awkward family moments. Whether you’re planning a lakeside elopement or a 300-person extravaganza in Mazury, I’ll be there to catch it all—the raw, the real, and the ridiculous.
💫 Take a peek at my portfolio here: www.pricelessmoments.studio/photo
💫 Explore flexible photography packages: www.pricelessmoments.studio/prices
💫 Ready to talk? Let’s chat: www.pricelessmoments.studio/contact
Let’s make your wedding memories as bold, beautiful, and brilliantly you as they deserve to be.
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