wedding

Top 20 – Balaton Wedding Venue

Hi, thank you for stopping by. Im a wedding photographer in Hungary. Throughout the years I have photographed many weddings by Balaton and I love the whole area. I wanted to make a list for you to help you to decide among all the gorgeous wedding venues by Balaton.

Balaton has gained a lot of popularity in the last couple of years, and not only as a holiday location but many Hungarian couples and more and more engaged couples from abroad are having their wedding at one of the fine Balaton Wedding Venues.

As popularity grew new venues opened and older ones have been renovated and reopened. Balaton is not only gorgeous but by carefully choosing the best Hungarian wedding venue for yourself you will have the time of your lifetime there. Balaton is nostalgic and also new and trendy. Gastronomy is constantly developing and many of the best chefs of the country are moving down by the lake for the season and beyond.

Wine is – besides the lake – of course the the most attractive aspect of this region of Hungary, so you can definitely organise you vineyard wedding here.

Badacsony wedding venues are the most seeked after and it is for a good reason. The history and the pure beauty of the area speaks to itself. Balaton Felvidek is also a highly recommended destination, its rolling Tuscany like hills are just gorgeous. 

For the Hungarian version of this article please click here: (magyar nyelvű cikk)Balaton Esküvő Helyszín

Badacsony Esküvő Helyszín

1. Villa Patzay

Villa Patzay wedding.  Formerly known and owned by Laposa, it is a perfectly located wine terrace and boutique hotel. One of the first modern places, parties up to 120 guests can be organised here.

2. Istvándy Liget

On the hills behind Badacsony next to Káptalantóti, suitable for guests up to 150, willows ad  shade for hot summer afternoons. Its a beautiful romantic wedding venue. 

3. Szeremley Borház

An other lovely venue, and if you like arbor this is your place as you can have your dinner under the beautiful green leaves.

4. Kisfaludy Ház

It is located on one of the highest point on the Badacsony hill, it is a venue with great history.

5. Tölgyes Kúria

Tölgyes Kúria wedding. A venue which has been fully renovated in 2018, but kept its original charm quickly became a favourite among couples organising their wedding around the lake Balaton. For up to 100 guests, oak trees and views over the rolling hills make the venue a wonderful choice.

6. Pici Szívem Badacsony

This gorgeous wedding venue which is located in Badacsonyörs has a fantastic view over the lake and Badacsony. The huge terrace can accomodate up to 150 guests. It has a big well kept garden with big mature walnut trees where you can have your wedding ceremony, and also there is a little charming chapel so you can have a church ceremony too. Run by two well experienced wedding organiser, it is a great choice.

Balaton Uplands wedding venue

It is often called as the Hungarian Tuscany, the national park is really a gorgeous area with hills and vineyards and the Balaton in the background. These are my favourite wedding locations from around here:

1. Káli Art Inn

   Situated in Köveskál, in the heart of the Káli basin, this has been a gem of a place for many years now. The countryside style 2 main buildings and smaller houses offer several rooms, there are 2 pools and also an award winning restaurant. The garden is beautifully designed and kept, and it is perfect for a wedding ceremony. One of the most sought after venues in the region.

2. Liszkay Borkúria

3. Mersics Porta

4. Taberna Infinito

5. Lovas, Márffy Vendégház

6. Szent Donát, Csopak

7. Krokodil Vendégház

Balaton north side wedding venue

I put venues which are not in Badacsony and in the Uplands in this category.Three places are in Balatonfüred and there are 2 venues which are historically connected.  One is the Festetics Palace and the other is the Bock Bistro.

1. Koczor Pince

2. Anna Grand Hotel Füred

3. Villa Vitae

4. Festetics Palace Wedding, Keszthely

Wedding at Festetics Palace. Also known as Helikon Palace. This is one of the most beautiful palaces in Hungary to organise your wedding at a historically rich gorgeous palace. There are many options to have your wedding ceremony outdoors or indoors in the ballroom. It is truly a unique venue if you are looking for class, elegance and a classic backdrop.

5. Bock Bistro Balaton

6. Casa Christa

Casa Christa is a truly beautiful place with many options. Guests up to 70-100 can be seated on the large terrace with gorgours views.

Balaton south side wedding venue

The south side of Balaton is as you can see not as popular for weddings but there are some location worth mentioning:

1. Egy Csipetnyi Nádas

This venue is just outside Siófok, in Töreki, surrounded by forest, an atmospheric venue.

2. Majthényi Présház

Badacsony of the south side – this hill is regularly mentioned. The winery is on the top of the hill with beautiful views over the lake.

3. Szent Kristof Winery

+2 Countryside wedding venue Hungary

Two locations which are not by the lake, I still want to talk about them as they are just a short drive away from the south side and they are very popular spots.

1. Babérliget Mansion

Baberliget Luxury Mansion wedding. Baberliget wedding venue is a provence style location, romantic and intimate, though it can also accommodate larger groups in their pavilion. There is a beautiful shaded garden and a row of large chestnut trees, it is one of the most popular wedding venues in Hungary.

2. Villa Bogart

Villa Bogart wedding in Alsobogati is one of the most beautiful venues in Hungary. A gorgeous castle, a huge castle park and there’s even a small chapel for your wedding ceremony. Highly recommended venue.

Let me know your wedding plans, I’d be delighted to photograph your wedding.

Wedding group photos – do you really need them?

The first thing that comes t to my mind when it comes to taking the wedding group photos or family formals is that lots of couple think it’s a waste of time. They were told it takes a long time to take the group shots at weddings and they are not so important. And that couples prefer the moments captured and natural photos. Well, whilst I fully agree with the latter opinion, I still think group photos are very important. 

The importance of group shots in wedding photography

From my experience as a wedding photographer for over 10 years and from actual feedback from couples I know that these are the photos , like the bride with her Granny or brothers and sisters together will be printed, framed and placed on the shelves at home. These photos will become part of your families’ history, a visual legacy. So, group photos at weddings are important!

But this doesn’t mean we have to spend an hour doing them, a bit of planning and putting together a good timeline for the day will make the process efficient.

How should we take the family formals at weddings?

As mentioned above everything starts with a good schedule of the day. Best practice is if the photographer together with the wedding organiser and the couple make the plan. Photographer can tell you where he/she thinks is the best light at which time of the day. At most wedding the big group photo comes right after the church ceremony or civil ceremony. Unfortunately though most times the best light is not in front of the church, the sun often shines directly towards the church. What I usually do is take this photo then I have the guests stand on the other side preferably with trees in the background and in a way that the sun comes from behind the guests. Like this we can utilise some natural rim light, and the people will not be squinting. Background should be chosen in a way that guests who are not participating in a group photo wont be walking behind the group – this is where time could pass quickly. 

Sometimes it is a problem that all the guests get a glass of drink right after the ceremony. In this case I would wait for about 20 minutes for the guest to finish their first drink, and then I would do the family formals. Otherwise people would be looking to get their glasses to put down safely and it is an other cause for time to fly away.

How long should I spend photographing group photos?

I’d say 15 minutes should be enough for the groups, with the help of the MC, wedding organiser or the groomsmen we can move quickly. I actually like if a member of the family helps me as they know the family better, they know who to summon for the photos. The photographer can take care of the positions and the details of the groups.

One more thought here, if there are divorced parents at the wedding it is good to discuss who will be in certain groups with whom to avoid unpleasant conversations at the wedding.

What are the standard family group photographs at a wedding? 

A group photo list certainly helps but not in any ways the most important thing. I usually start photographing the close family members, parents, Grandparents, siblings then relatives and finally the friends. If we do it in  this order and for whatever reason we have to stop the photos we will have the most important ones already done.

Wedding Groups ideas, recommended Group Photos for Weddings 

Again, a list is helpful but if you haven’t prepared one do not worry.

Here is a shot list for your family formals.

Family Formals shot list

• Couple with each of each set of parents
• Couple with both sets of parents
• Couple with siblings (and their families)
• Couple with close family members
• Couple with relatives

Bridal Party shot list

• Couple with bridesmaids/groomsmen
• Couple with entire wedding party
• Bride with bridesmaids/maid of honour
• Groom and groomsmen/bestman
• Couple with any children in the wedding party
• Couple with friends 

10 Ways to Simplify Wedding Group Shots – Top Tips

• Prepare ahead, plan the timing right. Keep in mind, times might differ for the big group photo and the smaller family shots.
• For creative group shots discuss beforehand, find the location and let all participants know about the details.
• Have the MC, wedding organiser, the best man or a groomsman gather the guests for the photos.
• Chose a background where guests cannot walk around.
• Chose an unobstructive  background. People are important on these photos so the should stand out from the background.
• Have the sun shine from behind the groups or at an angle to avoid squinting.
• Have a list of the most important groups prepared, if you don’t have one don’t panic, start with close family members.
• Wait for guest to have their first drink after the ceremony so they don’t have to find places to put down their glasses.
• Wait for standbyers to take their iPhone shots in order to have all attention to the main camera.
• Enjoy this part of the day, it doesn’t have to be stressful if you run out of time don’t worry, dinner will wait for an other 10 minutes.

Feel free to have a look at some of my weddings I photographed around the world. And if you have any questions or looking for a photographer for your own wedding please do get in touch.