A white limousine with champagne in the bar and, naturally, a female chauffeur; décor with live flowers in this season’s fashionable amaranth, orange or chocolate colors. The hall’s decorations should be matched in color to the bride’s beauty. A simple white dress with tulle and Swarovski crystal appliqués. A short veil. The groom in a suit with a bow tie or necktie. The photo session most often takes place in castle ruins or by the Bóbr River. The cost of the celebration is measured in thousands, but the uniqueness of the event is priceless.
Film prepared by Film Foto Studio
The First Wedding Fair proved to be a resounding success for both exhibitors and visitors. “Twenty-one companies presented themselves,” says Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska, co-organizer of the Fair and director of Bolesławiecki Ośrodek Kultury Międzynarodowe Centrum Ceramiki. “The stands were prepared with extraordinary flair and professionalism. The number of visitors shows that the initiative was very much needed, so I think we will organize it regularly.
The director of BOK-MCC emphasized that the exhibitors were mainly companies from Bolesławiec and the surrounding area. “Bolesławiec residents could see that they can organize a fully professional celebration with local businesses,” said Lijewska-Małachowska. “If they use their services, a happy future is guaranteed.
Some visitors had notebooks with them, carefully writing down the cost of services and planning their future celebration. “Every bride wants to be a princess or queen on her wedding day,” explains the owner of a bridal salon. “Today women want the dress to be white and simple, without heavy trains, with a small decorative veil,” she adds.
This season, elegant, light one-piece dresses with a fitted corset and a full skirt are fashionable. The trendiest accessories are tulle, emphasizing the model’s lightness and delicacy, as well as appliqués made of Swarovski crystals, artificial pearls or sequins. The groom wears a classic suit, for which elegant but discreet accessories are recommended: bow ties, scarves and neckties. The suit is chosen to match the dress. Only occasionally do men opt for a frock coat or tailcoat, and women for colorful wedding dresses.
Simple gold wedding bands still reign supreme. Classic styles do not bore newlyweds. Those who choose engraved bands with diamonds or other precious stones most often get married abroad.
Florists allow themselves more freedom and surprising combinations. This year’s fashionable bouquets come in orange, purple, amaranth and pink, with pearl and feather accents. “Today enormous attention is paid to detail in decoration,” explains the florist’s owner. “Flowers in the hair, on the wrist, in the bride’s bouquet and in the boutonniere are precisely such a beautiful detail. Roses remain timeless, as do other large flowers such as hydrangeas, orchids and even calla lilies.
Exhibitors emphasized that they do not organize weddings but fulfill dreams, which is much more complicated. “Above all, I listen to what the client says and what vision they have for their wedding,” explains one of the wedding-hall owners. “I discreetly suggest what is fashionable, but I carry out the bride and groom’s idea, not my own.
This year, hall decorators are not recommending balloons but decorations made with live flowers. If someone does choose balloons, they suggest ones painted with patterns or even illuminated, resembling lanterns. The hall’s décor should harmonize with the bride’s beauty. “A delicate blonde needs different decorations and colors than a brunette with a sun-kissed complexion,” explains a hall decorator. “The bride should shine inside the venue, and nothing may overshadow her beauty on this day.
To allow guests to admire the bride, they must be well fed. Poles remain faithful to broth and pork cutlets as the main wedding dishes. “We do not experiment with food,” says one of the caterers present at the fair. “The wedding menu naturally includes more refined dishes as well. Chicken roulades stuffed with spinach and feta cheese are very popular. Flaming chicken legs, various salads and plenty of cold meats are also served. It should be both tasty and plentiful.
Dancing creates the atmosphere at a wedding. Choosing a good band is one of the most difficult tasks. Musicians say that guests enjoy various hits, but ABBA and Polish singalong songs are timeless. That is why “Gimme Gimme Gimme (A man after midnight)” alternates with “Wszystkie rybki śpią w jeziorze.” “We sing whatever the client requests,” says a band member. “At Polish-Italian weddings we play Italo disco, and at Polish-Arab weddings, Arabic hits. One song can never be missing from a wedding. It is the song by an unknown author, ‘Żono moja – serce moje.’ Everyone wants it, and we sing it at every wedding.
The first edition of the Fair was highly successful and will certainly continue. Below we provide sample prices for wedding services offered at the Wedding Fair in Bolesławiec.
- Rental of a Lincoln Tawn limousine: PLN 120–300 per hour
- Wedding dress – approx. PLN 2,000–3,000
- Wedding suit – average PLN 1,500
- Catering – approx. PLN 200 per person
- Décor for the hall, car and church – approx. PLN 2,500
- Wedding bouquet – from PLN 150
- Car decorated with flowers – approx. PLN 250
- Classic gold wedding bands – approx. PLN 1,600
- Bride’s hairstyle – from PLN 100
- Wedding band – PLN 2,500–3,500 (second-day reception: half the wedding cost)
- Photo session – from PLN 700
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)