This sweet couple was looking for adventure and a change of pace when they chose to study abroad for a little while in Budapest, Hungary. They were looking to extend their boundaries and their comfort zones. So it should come as no surprise that the couple spent hours getting acquainted in one of the city’s most storied “ruin pubs,” Szimpla Kert. 

After their relationship developed and they decided to get married, they originally chose the Napa/Sonoma area of California. But the fires forced a change of plans. So they planned to go back to the seeds of their relationship and exchange vows in the city that inspired their sense of adventure and nurtured their connection. 

I always love to see couples choose wedding venues that have meaning to their relationship! It’s a great way to personalize their celebration, and the choice for a destination Budapest wedding did exactly that for this couple.

An Epic Four-Day Celebration in the Heart of Hungary 

One of the best parts about having a destination wedding in any part of the world is being able to give their guests an experience of the culture of the location. This couple wanted their guests to have an authentic and memorable introduction to the wonders of Budapest. 

So they had Agi Gyenes help them with the arrangements for their celebration, which spanned across four days! The celebration kicked off with a Danube River cruise. The second day, they planned for a visit to one of Budapest’s ruin pubs, followed by the ceremony and a brunch and baths recovery day at Szechenyi Spa.

The Historic Vajdahunyad Castle Wedding That Gave a True Glimpse of the Hungarian Culture

For the ceremony, the couple wanted their guests to experience the stunning architectural beauty that had captivated them when they first arrived. They chose to have their ceremony in the majestic Vajdahunyad Castle. 

Built in 1896 as a monument to the one thousand years of Hungarian architecture, the castle boasts separate buildings executed in the principle styles of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. The couple chose an intimate setting within the castle’s Cloister for their ceremony amidst the breathtaking architecture.

Followed By a Budapest Wedding Reception Inspired by The Couple’s Favorite Film Director

For the reception, the couple chose to combine part of their own interests with the culture of their host country for their destination Budapest wedding. 

They looked to their favorite film director, Wes Anderson, for inspiration! Influenced by Anderson’s unique dream-like color palette, the couple chose hues of soft pinks, terra cotta, and warm mustard yellows for table settings, bridesmaids’ dresses, and personalized stationery. 

The bride and groom designed playful arch-shaped menus and brought in gold acrylic signage from Sketch and Etch. 

And in keeping with a distinctly Wes Anderson vibe, the couple also chose soft, tangled florals designed by Flora Floral Botanical Atelier that hung from the archway of the Cloister. It perfectly represented their quirky nature as a couple!

The Vajdahunyad Castle Wedding Reception Details – Where History Met Modern Day

The historical integrity of the setting was important to the couple. So they chose to allow the castle to take center stage. But they added small doses of modern design to bring their reception to the 21st century. They added details like gold cutlery and white wire chairs from Dress the Day. Velvet couches and vintage lighting brought by a local antiques provider, Woodelier, acted as the bridge between history and modern day. Plus it added a luxurious layer of comfort to the historic surroundings!

Embracing Hungarian Culture for the Catering and Traditional Wedding Cake

The world is so full of so many different cultures. And I love when couples who choose a destination wedding in any location work to embrace the culture of their host country. This destination Budapest wedding was no different. 

The couple chose to showcase a local Hungarian baker and pastry artist, Edesseglabor. It was the perfect choice considering Hungary is known for its exceptional tradition in pastries and confections. 

The wedding cake featured a mix of wild forest berries with basil and bourbon vanilla. And yes, my mouth starts watering every time I think of it! 

As for the ceremony, while the guests enjoyed live music, they also enjoyed an interactive grill and oyster bar provided by W Catering. The caterer provided traditional Hungarian cuisine complemented by Hungarian wine pairings. 

And for the perfect touch, the Budapest destination wedding evening was crowned with popular Hungarian street food offerings, like Lango and “chimney cakes” for the guests to munch on and take home. And no wedding in Budapest would be complete without the traditional spirit, Palinka. It was the perfect toast to their big new adventure into married life!

Thinking about where your destination wedding adventure will take you? Get in touch so we can chat about having us as your destination wedding photographer!

Until then, explore more destination weddings to get inspired for yours!

Wedding Day Vendors:

Photography: Lilly Red Photography
Planner: Agi Gyenes
Venue: Vajdahunyad Castle
Stationery: Sketch and Etch
Floral Design: Flora Floral Botanical Atelier
Wedding Cake and Dessert: Edesseglabor
Wedding Design Rentals: Dress the Day
Wedding Design Rentals: Woodelier
Catering: W Catering
Live Music: Show 4 You