Iga and Jakub

Iga and Jakub

are getting married

We are so excited to share this experience with you!

Saturday, August 31, 2024

Our Love Story

If anyone knows Iga, they know she was single since 2014. Her mother and friends always asked, “Is there anyone special in your life?” - to which the answer was always “No”.

Fast forward to July 3rd of 2021. Bored, Iga decided to download the dating app Hinge for what seemed like the 100th time. She had no expectations as this had never worked out for her in the past. But, there he was…presented to her as the very first option. She was immediately drawn to his picture in a chef jacket with a tattoo sleeve, but almost fainted when she saw his name - Jakub Czyszczon.

In utter disbelief, she immediately wrote to him without stopping to think of a better pickup line than, “Are you Polish?” To which he responded, “Yes - are you?” The messages went back and forth rapidly without a moment in between and, in a matter of minutes, the two had agreed to meet for coffee.

Their first date is one they will never forget and that day, July 5th, is the one they recognize as the day they fell in love. Iga arrived drenched because it was pouring rain and hid in the bathroom trying to put herself back together. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw him standing by the entrance. They wore similar outfits of t-shirts, jeans and vans.

They sat together and the conversation never stopped. They discovered that they both speak Polish, went to Saturday Polish school, spent summers in Poland, loved music and food AND even had birthdays 2 days apart born in the same year (Jakub - July 15, 1993 & Iga - July 17, 1993).

They never wanted that coffee date to end so they spent the rest of the afternoon together at Easy Tiger on 7th street in Austin. It was there that Iga, without thinking, blurted out to Jakub, “You’re going to be my boyfriend.” That wasn’t the only bold move she made that day because when Jakub was dropping her off, he went to give her a hug goodbye and she decided to kiss him instead.

Two weeks later, July 19th, they had a dinner date to celebrate their birthdays and that was when Jakub asked her to be his girlfriend. Two months later, Iga went to Poland with his family to attend his cousin’s wedding. It was in church in Poland that Iga had that gut feeling that this is the person she would spend the rest of her life with. A few weeks after returning from Poland, the couple moved in together - mid October. A year later, on October 9th, 2022, Jakub surprised her with a ring and proposed to her in her hometown, Rockaway Beach, NY.

Their love story isn’t complicated, it’s fate. They are proof of love at first sight and ‘when you know, you know’.

There was no hesitation in deciding to marry in Poland. Their culture is the foundation of their bond. It’s also the place where they said I love you for the first time. They could not imagine anything better than sharing their culture and their special day in the place where they share their roots.

Events

join us for all the celebrations

Welcome Event

August 30, 2024

Invite Only Event.
Event hosted for international guests.
Casual cocktail hour to say hello.

Address:
Plac Nowy 1, 31-056 Kraków, Poland

Time:
4:00PM - 7:00PM

Wedding Ceremony

August 31, 2024

Parafia św. Stanisława BM Raba Wyżna
Raba Wyżna 36, 34-721 Raba Wyżna, Poland

Godzina: 14:00 - 13:00
Time: 2:00PM - 3:00PM

The truth is, there are some complicated logistics involved in our special day. While we chose a wedding venue in Kraków, we really wanted to get married in the church that Jakub grew up going to because of the family history there. The church is a ~1 hour drive from Kraków. We will arrange shuttle bus transportation for all guests to get to church and to the reception after. We will leave it up to you to decide whether or not you'd like to commit to attending the Wedding Ceremony, though, of course, we want you there!

Wedding Reception

August 31, 2024

Kopiec Kościuszki

al. Waszyngtona 1, 30-204 Kraków, Poland

Godzina: 16:30 - 4:30
Time: 4:30PM - 4:30AM

Formal Attire

Poprawiny / Day After Party

September 1, 2024

Kopiec Kościuszki

al. Waszyngtona 1, 30-204 Kraków, Poland

Godzina: 15:00 - 20:00
Time: 3:00PM - 8:00PM

Cocktail Attire

Travel Information

Flights

John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport

15km from city centre
Less than 30 minutes travel time

There are only 2 airlines that fly to Poland, LOT Polish Airlines and Lufthansa. Because of this, tickets can involve layover(s) and get expensive if booked last minute. We highly recommend booking in advance.
Travel Hack - open an incognito window in your browser when searching for flights

Accommodations

Hotel & Transportation

We are offering two hotel options listed below, Radisson Blu and H15 Luxury Palace. We will arrange shuttle-bus transportation that will take guests to the events as well as take them back to their hotel. Vehicles are not allowed inside of Old Town, which is why our top hotel recommendation is Radisson Blu Kraków. It is directly on the border of Old Town making it walking distance, but also a logical pick-up/drop-off point. To make a reservation with special rates, please reach out to the hotel directly and mention Iga and Jakub's wedding.

We will be staying at H15 Luxury Palace which is in Old Town and an ~8 minute walk from the Radisson Blu. The hotel is stunning and we are offering this as a premium option for guests should they be more interested in staying there. To make a reservation with special rates, please contact the Sales Manager, Katarzyna Zemła, directly via email at kzemla@hotelh15palace.pl.

Those who prefer to book via Airbnb or VRBO, we recommend finding options that are a comfortable walking distance from the Radisson Blu. You can still consider staying within Old Town or nearby neighborhoods.

Polish Wedding Traditions

As a country with strong Catholic roots, it is perhaps no surprise that Polish wedding ceremonies are still held in a church. While you are invited to the ceremony, we will leave it up to you to decide if you’d like to attend.

Polish receptions open with the presentation of bread and salt. This presentation is symbolic - the bread is offered so that the couple may never know hunger while the salt serves as a reminder to be resilient when faced with life’s difficulties. After the bread and salt, the bride’s father presents the couple with two glasses - one with water and one with vodka. The bride is first to choose without knowing which is which. Tradition says that whoever ends up with the shot of vodka will be the dominant one in the relationship. After their drink, they must throw their glasses hoping they break as that is a sign of good fortune.

Polish weddings are usually a 12-hour ordeal, but they have a specific formula by design. FOOD - you will not run out of food at a Polish wedding and can expect multiple meals throughout the night. The best advice is to eat as much as you can. This will prepare you for the copious amounts of vodka and give you energy throughout the night. VODKA - need we say more? Polish people love to drink vodka - in fact they are experts in the field. They will be drinking a lot of it and expect you to do the same :) If you REALLY need to tap out of a round of shots, flip your shot glass upside down. DANCE - Polish people love to dance as much as they love to drink so get your moves ready. There will be a variety of music, but it’s best to be open-minded and dance with us to Polish songs too! You will be in Poland, after all.

Now the fun stuff… Polish weddings are not a simple one-day affair. The first day is usually the church ceremony and reception. The next day involves another, less formal party which usually starts around lunchtime and ends with some more fun and dancing. This day is call ‘poprawiny’, which means to correct or to improve (just in case we didn’t go hard enough the night before LOL). Don’t worry, this party is more casual and will not be a 12-hour ordeal :)

Neither of us thought we would ever have the opportunity to have a real Polish wedding. This will be an entire cultural experience, so we hope you lean in and enjoy it with us. The countdown begins!

Other Activities

There are many things to do in Krakow so feel free to customize your itinerary, but here are some of our recommendations!

Walk around Kraków Old Town

There are so many charming streets in Old Town - the best thing to do is simply walk around! Explore the main market square in Old Town, the ‘Rynek’. You'll definitely want to grab a Polish beer or Aperol Spritz at any of the outdoor cafes with the big umbrellas. Make sure to find the indoor bazaar called ‘Sukiennice’ or 'Cloth Hall'. It’s full of vendors selling everything from jewelry, textiles to traditional Polish goods. The Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit for amber so jewelry lovers can find really beautiful and affordable pieces here. If you fancy architecture, check out St. Mary's Basilica also located in the main market square.

Explore the Wawel Royal Castle

[a must!]

“As one of the most famous sites in Poland, Wawel Royal Castle boasts a rich history to complement its stunning facade. The national treasure back to the 13th century, steeped in history throughout its various eras as a coronation site, an administrative center, royal residence, military garrison headquarters, prison camp during WWII, and plenty more.”

Explore the Jewish quarter, Kazimierz

It's our favorite!

History both thriving and troubled is embedded in the tiny streets. In its current state, Kazimierz a very artsy/trendy place with great eateries, cocktail bars and cool Airbnbs.

Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine

One of Poland's most popular attractions

“This site is the world’s largest mining heritage museum, consisting of underground trails, galleries, and chambers, where you can uncover sacred art as well as underground lakes.” This would require a mini day trip as Wieliczka is just outside of Kraków.

Click Below

for more detailed itineraries & a list of cocktail bars/nightlife

Thank You

From the Bottom of our Hearts...

Your presence at our wedding is present enough! However, if you'd like to get us a gift, we've created an online registry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss the bus/provided transportation?

We recommend not missing the bus, as this is free for guests and we don't want you to incur additional costs. But, in case of emergency OR if you're irresponsible - take an Uber :) All of the addresses have been updated. The expected schedule for guests is as follows:

12:15 - Busses pick up guests from Radisson Blu hotel
13:30/1:30PM - Guests arrive at church
15:00/3:00PM - Guests board busses to venue in Krakow (Kopiec Kosciuszki)

What if I have allergies?

All dinner menus accommodate allergies i.e no fish, no red meat, no nuts, gluten-free. Guests will have individualized menus at their seat with an adjusted menu considering your allergies. However, *PLEASE NOTE*, we will have buffet options that will not be allergen-adjusted. We will accommodate Gluten-Free and nut allergy for wedding cake service. However, we will have a buffet of sweet treats which you should avoid.

Will there be shuttle busses taking us from the venue to our respective lodging?

Yes! Our return shuttle busses will begin at midnight and continue until 4AM. They will do the route as follows: Venue -> Radisson Blu -> Raba Wyzna. Please keep in mind that this route will take anywhere between an hour to 2 hours. If you want to leave and there is no shuttle available, we recommend waiting for the next bus or calling an Uber.

Where do I sit on Day 2?

We do not have a seating chart for Day 2 :) The entire purpose of Day 2 is to let loose, have fun - with no restrictions.

How do I know the menu for Day 2?

We will have menus displayed at the center of each table. They will outline the regular menu and the accommodated menus (i.e allergen friendly). Once again, for those with allergies - we recommend being cautious when selecting items from the buffet. Polish soups, if creamy, may have flour. All desserts aside from the allergen-friendly wedding cake may or may not contain gluten or nuts.

Who is invited to the welcome event?

All international guests that have traveled from the USA or other countries are invited to the welcome event. This event will be casual. Appetizers/finger foods and open bar with beer & wine. We recommend not drinking too much as the following 2 days will be jam-packed with fun.

Will there be transportation provided to the Welcome Event?

No. The Welcome Event should be either walking distance or a very, very short drive away from your stay.

Will there be transportation provided for Day 2?

Yes :) Please refer to the schedule in the Wedding/Day 2 Schedule plan.

Transportation Schedule

Pick up for Wedding Ceremony

Time - 11:30 AM (Sharp - Please don't be late as the bus will not be waiting)
Location - Radisson Blu Hotel Lobby
Hotel Address - Floriana Straszewskiego 17, 31-101 Kraków, Poland
Destination Address (Church): Raba Wyżna 36, 34-721 Raba Wyżna, Poland

Due to heavy traffic flow to and from Krakow the drive to and from the church in Raba Wyzna can be between 1.5-2 hours.

Ceremony Departure to Venue

Time - 3:15 PM
Location - Busses will be outside of Church
Destination Address (Venue): al. Waszyngtona 1, 30-204 Kraków, Poland

Departure from Venue back to Krakow/Raba Wyzna

Times: ~12:00 AM, ~2/2:30 AM, ~4 AM
Location - Venue (al. Waszyngtona 1, 30-204 Kraków, Poland)

Shuttle busses will begin at midnight and continue until 4 or 4:30 AM. They will do the route as follows: Venue -> Radisson Blu -> Raba Wyzna. Please keep in mind that this route will take anywhere between an hour to 2 hours. If you want to leave and there is no shuttle available, we recommend waiting for the next bus or calling an Uber.

Day 2 Transportation Schedule

Pickup from Radisson Blu Hotel to Venue

Time - 2:30 PM
Location - Radisson Blu Hotel
Hotel Address - Floriana Straszewskiego 17, 31-101 Kraków, Poland
Destination Address (Venue): al. Waszyngtona 1, 30-204 Kraków, Poland

Drop-off back to Hotel or Raba Wyzna

Time - 8:00 PM
Location - Venue (al. Waszyngtona 1, 30-204 Kraków, Poland)
Drop-off - Radisson Blu lobby (Floriana Straszewskiego 17, 31-101 Kraków, Poland)
OR
Drop-off - Raba Wyzna

There will be 2 busses waiting. One going to Radisson Blu and one going to Raba Wyzna.