Wedding Bells

As October approached, wedding preparations became the sole focus of every week. Krzysiek was in charge of the bachelor party, which took place two weeks before the wedding and was a huge, sloppy success. 

Our wedding invitation

The wedding was to be a two day affair so we took Friday and Monday off of work as we were signed up to help with preparations. Thursday night, Krzysiek and I spent the evening making a card for Kasia and Darek. In Poland, you pretty much always give money and often flowers to the couple. Cards contain well wishes and cash and the amount you give depends on your relationship to the couple. We had to give a substantial amount considering Krzysiek was both brother and best man. We also had the only handmade card out of all the guests. At first Krzysiek was a little skeptical about me making a card, but he hadn't bought one so we agreed he could veto it if it didn't suit the occasion. I won, and our card was a hit. It even had some mistakes in it, seeng as I'm not a native speaker :-p

nail time a week before the wedding

Friday morning we hopped on the bus to Wola and the insanity began. Chief had blown up 200+ balloons to make the balloon arch over the driveway. He went way over the top and the office was completely full of balloons to the point where you couldn't even enter. We started tying them together and every few minutes one would pop and we would all jump screaming in surprise. about an hour later we were mounting them over the driveway. Success!

The front garden where many activities took place

In the evening we went to church so everyone could confess and subsequently take communion the following day. Next was tłuć szkło. This is a tradition in which guests break china and the bride and groom must sweep it up together. It is considered good luck for their marriage. As we were sitting in the living room after church all of a sudden there was the sound of breaking glass out front. We ran to the front door and outside were Krzysiek's cousins and an array of broken beer bottles. Everyone stood around as Kasia and Darek swept up the glass and obnoxiously commentated, 'you missed a spot' until the patio was slick and span and we were all shivering from cold. Then we went inside for a few rounds of vodka before bed. 

flowers along the walkway

I had no idea what was appropriate to wear to the wedding, so I had brought an array of options with me. Before bed we had a fashion show during which I tried on all my outfits complete with shoes and the peanut gallery commentated. After about 20 minutes I had outfits selected for each day and felt much, much better.

Krzysiek & Kasia

The day of the wedding Chief woke everyone up early. The girls went to get their hair did and Krzysiek headed to Darek's to get him dressed and take some pictures. Before he left we had a bit of a crisis. Krzysiek's suit pants weren't in the closet with his jacket. Kasia had brought his suit to Wola several weeks earlier to be cleaned, but no one remembered seeing the pants. He had to improvise and he was not happy about it. His Mom found the pants three days later in the same closet where everyone had looked several times. Luckily in the pictures it's hard to tell he isn't wearing suit pants unless you already know.

So many buttons!

When Krzysiek got back, we got Kasia dressed slowly so the photographers could catch every moment. Then it was time for another Śląsk tradition: wykupny, during which the groom barters for the bride before the wedding. Everyone has different tactics, and the night before Krzysiek and his parents had devised a plan. Darek was given limited information, but enough so that it would guarantee that he would win the negotiations. When he arrived, Krzysiek negotiated on Kasia's behalf. One of Chief's friends had dressed up as an Arab and Darek was told that Kasia had already been bartered for that day. He was shown photos of the banana boat and camels that the Arab had produced as payment. Eventually Darek produced a briefcase full of złoty gangster style and won his bride.

The weather was beautiful

The following sequence was the most touching part of the entire wedding. Everyone stood aside as Darek went up the stairs to his bride with a procession of the closest family behind him. When he saw her he was completely overwhelmed. They had a moment together in which Darek began to tear up and then they knelt together on a white pall to receive blessings from each parent and the priest. At this point they both became misty eyed. Then pictures were taken and we all piled into cars to head to the church.

The ceremony

The two minute route to the church unveiled another tradition. There were obstacles to overcome along road to the ceremony. Every few feet there were various people (mostly neighbors) on the road blocking it with strings of cans, bikes, etc. in order to pass, you had to pay them off. Musia had brought a couple beers, but ended up beng one short so we had to scrounge for change at the last obstacle. Then we got to the church and everyone took their places. The mass started exactly on time and lasted about an hour. Krzysiek had to be up front as a witness, so I sat with his cousins. It ended up being a good decision on my part because his cousins didn't go up for communion and if I had sat with his parents I would have been very exposed while they took the host.

Krzysiek and I giving our gifts and well wishes

After church, the receiving line took place outside the church entrance. Guests walked up to the couple with envelopes which were put into a box and flowers and or wine which were handed to Mom or Dad. Then well wishes were verbally given to the couple followed by hugs and kisses. Krzysiek graciously took me by the hand and after giving our gifts, announced that he would be giving well wishes for the both of us. This was a surprise and a huge relief for me because I had been nervous about what to say and how to say it correctly. Kasia and Darek gave me kind and knowing looks and lovingly thanked the both of us for Krzysiek's kind words.

Krzysiek, Musia, Kasia and Karolina

After loading all the wine and flowers into the car, we walked five minutes down the road to the reception hall which was beautiful decorated. Everyone found their assigned seat and took their coats off, but no one sat down. We all stood at the edges of the room and focused our attention on a small glass table in the middle of the room filled with champagne flukes brimming with bubbly. We each took a glass and Darek and Kasia stood in the middle of the room and drank their first toast from champagne glasses attached by an elegant ribbon. After downing their champagne, they tossed the glasses over their heads and listened for the tinkling of breaking glass as they kissed for the second time as a married couple. Then they swept up the pieces as good luck for their road ahead. 

Then the eating began. 

Darek trying to get the garter 

Rosól, a clear broth with noodles, is almost always served as the first course. Then an array of meats, potatoes, kluski (potato dumplings) and the like were served family style. In the middle of each table was also an array of softdrinks, juice, water and bottles of vodka that was never lacking all night long. 

Darek & Kasia in front of St. Mary's Church during their photo session several weeks later

Course after course was served and in between everyone danced and drank shots in groups or got fancy umbrella drinks from the open bar. Everyone could drink because there were two assigned cars to take you home whenever you were ready to go. Everything was controlled by the live band who played from 2pm until 3am. They had their own table set up on-stage and would take breaks every so often to eat, and relax. They also orchestrated games for the guests to play and provided great dancing music all night. It was pretty much all Polish music, so I only knew a handful of songs that were currently on the radio. 

Krzysiek & I dancing

I couldn't believe how many people danced. Everyone danced. All the guys knew how to dance. Every single one of Krzysiek's uncles took me for a turn around the floor and it was so much fun! As soon as things began, the dance floor was never empty. It was amazing how much energy everyone had. At the end of the night, Krzysiek ended up onstage serenading with the band after a couple of heavy rounds of vodka with his cousins. He usually has an incredibly high tolerance, but that night he definitely reached his limit. At around 3:30am, only the immediate family remained and as the band was packing up, we decided to call it a night. We jumped in the car and were home five minutes later. The house was full of guests so that every sleeping surface was occupied. Krzysiek and I had to sleep on the living room couch and after a great deal of hydration, everyone crashed around 5am. 

Playing one of the many party games

The next morning we had to wake up and do it all again.

It felt like a scene from a movie. Around 9am alarms started sounding, bathrooms became occupied, breakfast was made and Kasia was once again sitting for hair and make-up. Everyone came into the living room as they woke up and joined me and Krzysiek on the couch. His Mom & Dad provided a breakfast spread accompanied by a pot of tea and an espresso option for anyone who wanted an extra kick. Krzysiek's uncle came in with a bottle of vodka and several shot classes and that's exactly how he and Krzysiek started out the morning. It was also funny to meet Kasia's guests as they made an appearance. They had been at the wedding the night before, but they hadn't been sitting by us and so we hadn't gotten a chance to actually talk before. Later on as I tag-teamed with Krzysiek, his sister and his mother in the bathroom his Mom asked me, "is this too crazy for you?' I was like, 'no, this is exactly how my family is every time we get together.' And it was true. I felt right at home amidst the chaos. 

Playing the balloon game

After a shower, new hair and putting on my face, I looked at my heels with dread as my feet were still pretty dead from the night before. But I had no choice so I took a deep breath and slipped them on. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. We actually walked to church and this time Krzysiek had me sit with him in the first pew. After disappearing for a good portion of the night before he was determined to not leave my side the second day. Ironically, I ended up sitting next to the groom's aunt, who is a nun. She spent the entire mass staring at me due to the fact that I don't cross myself, say any of the responses and I didn't take communion. After the service, she went up to the bride and asked who I was. I was highly amused and Krzysiek absolutely loved it.

The bride and groom, Krzysiek and I and his nephew

After church we went back to the hall and everything started all over again. Over the first courses we did a recap of the previous night and then the drinking and dancing and games began. I had asked Krzysiek countless times how on earth it was possible to wake up after a night of intense partying only to get gussied up and do it all again. He always said that that's why rosół (chicken broth) is the first dish, 'After that, you're good to go.' And he was right. I was fine. I danced in my heels from 2pm until 3am and my feet did just fine. I drank plenty but wasn't wasted and the next day I didn't feel like death. That evening we ended the night on stage where we sat around with the bride and groom, a few close family members and the band who was on a roll. They kept telling jokes and everyone was laughing so hard that tears were rolling down their faces. I didn't understand most of the jokes, but hearing everyone laugh made me laugh too, so I had just as much fun.

Krzysiek dancing with his Mom

Krzysiek and i walked home that night and looked at the stars on our way. It was such a clear night that the number of stars was incredible. Like a sparkling blanket so close you could almost touch it. 

Spending some time at the most important table

The following day, Monday, was slow. Everyone eventually got up and dressed and we literally sat in the living room over coffee for hours talking about the last few days. Just Krzysiek's parents, his uncle, his younger sister and me. Everyone was in a good mood and all day long the house rang with laughter. The weather was unbelievable; warm and sunny enough for us to have lunch out in the garden followed by red wine and beers. In the evening we lazed around the living room and nibbled on tea and cake leftover from the wedding. We all crashed early and the next morning Krzysiek and I headed back to Kraków with an enormous amount of wedding food in tow.