Fanni and Mark’s wedding was a vibrant celebration of love, bringing together the classical charm of Budapest’s Kiscelli Museum and the bold, tropical colors that reflected their lively personalities. Set against the stunning backdrop of the 18th-century baroque palace and former church, their summer wedding combined elegance with a modern twist. Surrounded by 150 of their closest friends and family, the couple’s carefully planned event, organized in just six months, beautifully captured their love story, seamlessly merging historical grandeur with a contemporary, vibrant atmosphere.
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Style: Elegant, modern, spectacular
Time of planning: 5-6 months
Number of guests: 150
Setting: Museum
Season: Summer
Fanni and Mark’s journey began at a university event, where Fanni, as part of the organization crew, and Mark, representing a different student association, first met. However, it wasn’t until two years later, when Mark began his master’s at Corvinus University in Budapest, that their connection deepened. After years of friendship and shared experiences, they realized they were the perfect match for each other. “The rest is history,” said Fanni.
Bridal Look
For her wedding day, Fanni wore a breathtaking mermaid ivory gown from LOVEGLOW Bridal Concept. The dress, designed by Milla Nova, featured intricate lace and sequin floral patterns. To add versatility, the gown included a lace bolero and a satin train, which gave the dress more volume and a dramatic flair. Fanni expressed her gratitude to LOVEGLOW for creating her dream bridal look, saying, “They made sure that I was glowing on the day of the wedding.”
Throughout the day, Fanni transformed her look with different accessories, including a shorter cocktail dress for the final party. She completed her bridal ensemble with Jimmy Choo shoes, diamond ear studs, and a Tiffany engagement ring. Her bouquet, a delicate arrangement of white peonies, was the perfect complement to her elegant style.
Groom's Fashion
Mark’s wedding day look was a sophisticated, tailored suit by Stan Ahuja, paired with classic Berwick 1707 shoes. His boutonniere, provided by Frack & Co Wien, tied together his outfit, which exuded timeless elegance. Mark also added a personal touch to his look with a sleek Movado watch, a gift from Fanni.
First Look
The couple’s first look was an emotional moment set against the backdrop of century-old sculptures inside of the palace. Fanni and Mark couldn’t contain their smiles and tears, and the videographers did an incredible job of capturing every intimate detail.
Fanni and Mark were lucky to book Pinewood Weddings, one of Fanni’s long-time favorite photo and video teams, who typically work all over Europe and are booked out years in advance. Pinewood Weddings’ ability to capture not just the beautiful moments but also the raw emotions of the day was something the couple cherished. Their skill in capturing candid moments and all the intricate details of the day helped to immortalize every magical moment.
The Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the picturesque courtyard of the baroque palace, with century-old sculptures surrounding the guests. Upon arrival, the groom welcomed everyone with the couple’s favorite cocktail, while a live jazz band set the mood.
The ceremony decor featured bold floral installations with vibrant shades of fuchsia, blush, and cream roses, adding a fresh pop of color to the historic venue. Tall floral structures framed the couple, creating a stunning backdrop against the golden stone facade. Soft pink and cream blooms lined the aisle, guiding guests towards the altar in a romantic and elegant setting. The vibrant florals contrasted beautifully with the classic architecture, giving the ceremony a perfect blend of modern style and timeless charm.
The ceremony itself, conducted by a young minister, was a blend of modern liturgy and heartfelt vows. Fanni and Mark shared their promises in front of friends and family, with a touch of humor and warmth that brought laughter and tears to everyone in attendance. The ceremony ended on a light-hearted note, with the minister offering both humorous and practical advice for marriage.
After the ceremony, as the couple walked down the aisle, guests joyfully tossed petals, adding an extra touch of romance to the moment. The couple made a grand exit in a restored classic car, a nod to Mark’s family’s love of vintage automobiles.
Private Moment
Fanni and Mark took a romantic ride in their vintage car to share a private time before the festivities started. With glasses of champagne in hand, they shared a playful, intimate moment, Fanni wearing chic cat-eye sunglasses and glittering heels that sparkled under the soft light. The relaxed laughter and sweet embraces perfectly captured the heart of their celebration, a blend of elegance and carefree joy.
Reception
Their vision for the wedding was influenced by the grand, historical setting of Kiscelli Museum and their love for bold, tropical colors. The couple wanted to incorporate the romanticism of the baroque palace while adding their personal touch, inspired by the vibrant hues and lively energy of Miami Vice.
As guests entered the 600-square-meter former church, they were greeted by soaring exposed brick walls and white marble floors, creating a striking contrast to the vibrant, tropical decor. Crystal chandeliers hung over each table, and vivid flowers, including peonies and bougainvillea, brightened the space. Palm leaves added a modern twist, infusing the reception with a tropical yet elegant vibe.
Guests enjoyed a delightful dinner accompanied by heartfelt speeches and the couple’s signature gin and tonics. Fanni changed into her cocktail dress to fully embrace the lively atmosphere.
They wanted the space to transform throughout the evening, so the lighting design by Esküvői buli played a crucial role. Warm, oblique lights created a cozy atmosphere for the dinner, but as the evening progressed, professional stage lighting and sound equipment turned the space into a lively nightclub.
The night was filled with surprises, including an aerial performance by Rebeka Olajos that wowed the crowd. The fun continued with a flash mob, confetti cannons, and smoke effects, turning the reception into an unforgettable party.
The couple’s love for dancing took center stage during the first dance, choreographed by the groom’s mother, a former national champion in Latin and ballroom dancing. Mark began the dance with his mother before transitioning into a romantic dance with Fanni to Michael Bublé’s “The Best Is Yet to Come.”
The night was filled with unforgettable moments, from the captivating performance by the saxophonist to the exhilarating stage dive by the couple and the lively cake-cutting ceremony. Guests were delighted to receive personalized watercolor paintings by artist Olga Lopatina, a unique and thoughtful keepsake. As the evening progressed, the celebration showed no signs of slowing down, with the music and energy keeping the dance floor alive until the early hours of the morning.
Advice from the couple:
• In order to create the perfect harmony that we accomplished, the most important aspect of our wedding was having an experienced Ceremony Master and an event coordinator on the day. They worked together seamlessly and helped us easily overcome challenges throughout the event, including the preparation and conclusion, which took around 72 hours. I had to accept that, even as a professional event organizer, I needed to outsource the management of the wedding day to truly enjoy it myself.
• Due to the complexity of the wedding and our large guest list of about 150 people, we suggest having at least two coordinators. This ensures that they can assist guests and still keep everything under control.
• It’s also important to seek inspiration early, clearly identify your preferences from the start, and plan everything accordingly. Looking back, we found that visiting other weddings and exchanging ideas with others was incredibly helpful.
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER Pinewood Weddings | VENUE Kiscelli Múzeum | PLANNER The Perfect Day Event | DRESS & STYLING LOVEGLOW Bridal Concept | FLORALS Laura virág | CELEBRANT Gabor Herendi | SAXOPHONIST András Jász | BAND Swing Brothers | DJ DJ Lennard | AUDIO & SFX Eskuvoibuli | AERIAL DANCER Rebeka Olajos | CATERING BpBARbq | BAR IKON Catering Hungary | CAKE Egy csipet Torta | DESSERTS Sütike cukrászműhely | CHOREOGRAPHER Berci Hegyes | ARTIST Olga Lopatina | SELFIE BOX PixBox | RENTALS Magura Event & Rental | CHANDELIERS DEMENY FényDekoráció
