Palac Mierzecin Wedding // Ewa & Niall
What do you get if you have a Polish bride and an Irish groom getting married in a winery? No, it’s not the start of a bad joke, it’s Ewa and Niall’s frankly amazing Palac Mierzecin wedding in Poland. Set in a restored 19th century palace and located by the beautiful Lake Mierzęckie, and with Japanese gardens, a spa and it’s own vineyard, it’s a beautiful venue. I arrived the night before to find everyone getting into the wedding spirit and sampling the winery’s famous wines. It was Ewa’s birthday so a double excuse, as if one was needed, to have a drink and celebrate. Ewa and I had been messaging back in forth in the months leading up to the wedding, so by the time we actually met, I felt like I’d known her for years . To say her and Niall are a fun and infectiously happy couple would be an understatement – you’d be hard pushed to find two more lovely people.
On to the wedding day, the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Ewa and Niall both got ready in the palace, alongside Ewa’s family and Niall’s best men who’d flown over from Ireland for the weekend. The wedding ceremony took place in the most picturesque little white church, just yards from the palace gates. Even though she almost lost her veil to the wind gods whilst waiting to head in to the church, Ewa was a picture of serenity as she was walked down the aisle by her mum. Despite the ceremony being conducted in Polish and me not having a clue what was being said, no translation was needed when the priest talked about Ewa’s beloved father, who’d passed away a year ago, on her birthday. Ewa fought back tears and I am pleased I had my camera to hide behind as my eyes were welling up. We’d talked about the significance of the wedding date in length in the months leading up to the wedding, and I knew how difficult this was for her, and what mixed emotions she would be experiencing. There were readings from the couples’ family and friends, a string quartet played, the register was signed, and then it was outside into the sunshine and a volley of pink rose petals. And the wind finally succeeded in taking Ewa’s veil.
Wedding Photography in Poland
As is Polish tradition, the bride and groom rode through the village on a horse and cart, ‘buying’ their way through with vodka. I rather like this tradition and think we should adopt it here. Any of my UK couples want to take up the mantle?! Back at the palace it was time for more traditions, and yes! More vodka! This time with bread and shot glasses thrown over the couples shoulder before the groom carries the bride (who couldn’t stop laughing) over the threshold. Everyone took their seats for dinner and it wasn’t long before the speeches got under way, with translators where necessary.
Unlike many UK wedding venues where things have to be wrapped up and the music off by midnight, as the clock struck 12 this party was only just getting started. Games, vodka, Mr & Mrs quizzes, vodka, an amazing band, dancing, more vodka. It’s hard to put into words just how much fun Ewa and Niall’s Palac Mierzecin wedding was, and what a brilliant couple they are, but hopefully these photos will go some way in showing you.
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As soon as I finished reading the intro I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this – absolute quality!! Seemed like so much fun to photograph, you really did them proud dude.