What Polish Wedding Guests Love the Most: Traditions, Food, Vodka, Dance & Wedding Planning Tips for 2025

Planning a wedding in Poland? Congratulations! Now, let me tell you a secret — if you want your Polish guests to talk about your wedding for years (with smiles and maybe even some tears of joy), there are a few things you absolutely cannot miss. Spoiler alert: yes, there will be vodka. And lots of it.

Polish Wedding Traditions That Guests Absolutely Love

Polish weddings, or as we fondly call them wesele, are a beautiful mix of deep-rooted traditions and modern fun. Polish guests truly appreciate when couples honor customs — but also add a twist.

Let’s start with the iconic Bread and Salt Ceremony (Chleb i Sól). The newlyweds are greeted by their parents holding bread, salt, and often a shot of vodka. Bread means you’ll never go hungry, salt reminds you that life isn’t always sweet, and vodka… well, vodka is just vodka. Trust me, Polish grannies love this tradition as much as the young crowd does.

And don’t forget about Oczepiny at midnight! This quirky ritual involves games, laughter, and the bride’s symbolic farewell to her maiden days. Polish guests expect it, secretly hope it’ll be a bit crazy, and will remember it forever.

Best Polish Wedding Food Your Guests Will Remember

Dear couples, forget diets — weddings in Poland are a culinary marathon. Your guests expect a feast. And by feast, I mean pierogi, bigos, żurek, rosół, and the almighty schabowy. Served again and again… and again. Because, in Poland, wedding dinners last longer than some Hollywood marriages.

Oh, and the sweet table? It’s not optional. It’s a sugar-powered station of happiness. Throw in some traditional sernik and makowiec, and you’ll have aunties crying tears of joy.

Vodka — The Social Glue

A Polish wedding without vodka is like a cake without frosting. Guests will raise their glasses with a hearty “Na zdrowie!” all night long. Don’t stress about it — just make sure it’s good quality and flows smoothly.

Tip from an insider: add a vodka bar with homemade tinctures (nalewki) and watch the magic happen. Your guests will love it, and Uncle Jan will probably call you a genius.

Lively Music and a Dance Floor That Never Sleeps

Polish weddings are fueled by music. Whether you hire a traditional band (zespół weselny) or a modern DJ, make sure the playlist includes a little bit of everything — from classic Polish hits to international bangers.

Bonus points if you throw in a spontaneous polka. No one really knows the steps, but everyone will dance like their life depends on it.

Make Your Guests Feel Like Stars

Polish guests value hospitality like nowhere else. A small gift, such as personalized candles or mini bottles of nalewka as a wedding favor, will warm their hearts. Thoughtful seating, plenty of space to chat, and midnight snacks (barszcz z krokietem, anyone?) will win you bonus points.

Pro tip: prepare baskets with flip-flops and blankets. When high heels start to torture your friends and cold sneaks into the garden, they’ll thank you for being the best hosts ever.

Little Touches That Matter

Want to make your wedding stand out? Think of these:

  • Late-night food truck with pierogi or zapiekanki.
  • Guest book with Polaroids and funny questions.
  • Kids' corner with babysitter (parents will love you).
  • Traditional Polish toasts with modern, funny twists.

Final Advice — Keep It Fun, Keep It You

The best Polish weddings are those where guests feel loved, fed, entertained, and maybe a little tipsy. Whether you go full-traditional or add your own flavor, remember — it’s your day, but shared with people who care.

And don’t worry if Aunt Jadwiga insists on singing Sto Lat 15 times — it’s part of the charm.


As someone who has seen hundreds of unforgettable Polish weddings through my lens, I know exactly how to capture the real magic — tears, laughs, dance moves, and those little in-between moments you’ll cherish forever.

Visit my portfolio here → Priceless Moments Studio

Check out photography packages → Wedding Packages

Let’s talk about your dream wedding → Contact Me

And remember: your wedding photos shouldn’t just be pretty — they should tell your story. I’d be honored to help you tell it.

Share this story

Priceless Moments
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.