Latgale is one of the largest regions of Latvia, and of course a large number of couples want to celebrate their wedding right there - near their roots. However, couples want to do it not only according to the best Latgalian traditions, but also aesthetically and beautifully, finding wedding service providers that suit their taste.

LĪGAVĀM offers the story of Līga and Daiņas, including the biggest challenges they had to face when organizing a wedding in Latgale.

How to find the right wedding ceremony place in Latgale?

The couple admits that finding the place for the ceremony in Latgale was relatively quick and definitely successful. Līga and Dainis said their "Yes" words to each other at the Luznava manor , which had already enchanted both of them before the wedding.

"Since my husband and I are both from Preili, it seemed only natural that we should get married in Latgale. However, the only weddings we had visited in Latgale were either in the registry offices of the first fresher or in the Aglona basilica . We knew we wanted something else, but I was afraid of a wedding under the open sky - nature has become unpredictable in recent years

Although, apart from Luznava manor , we had selected a couple of other places that we wanted to see before making a decision, but after the first steps in the manor's Piano Hall we realized that this would be the right place.

The whole set of circumstances was important - the kind staff ready to implement any idea, the premises themselves, the unusual architecture, intimacy, atmosphere, acoustics - all this suited us very well," says Līga.

No – for log saunas

If it was relatively easy for the couple to find a place for the ceremony, then the search for a place for the celebration was a bit of a headache. "Even when we told our closest friends that we wanted to hold the wedding in Latgale, I will not deny that many doubted. And indeed, the search for guesthouses led to despair, because there were almost only yellow log saunas on offer.

Also, the closest barn, where a rustic fairy tale could be created, was located in Ape, which is by no means Latgale anymore.

We found our guest house when we had already started thinking - maybe we should build our own shed.

However, we managed and found our idyll in Lower Edges . The Scandinavian architecture so close to us combined with the elements of a stylized barn was exactly what we were looking for. In addition, the location was very suitable for our day plan, but the final "yes" was earned by the fact that the newlyweds have their own cabin on one of the islands of the lake adjacent to the guest house. Can it be more beautiful?" asks the League rhetorically.

Find the decorator between satin and tulle ribbons

The young couple managed to find the other wedding service providers relatively sequentially - the place of the wedding ceremony recommended caterers who regularly hold pop-up gourmet dinners at the manor.  That's how the cooperation with Pärtnieku gulumidum started, while the decorator was found by looking at the wedding portfolio of Lejasmalu .

"Among all the typical Latgale constructions of satin and tulle ribbons, some completely different photos stood out with tasteful table runners, charming print solutions and perfectly chosen decorations that appealed to us.

It was Laura Ošiņa from I wish , which to our great surprise was also from Latgale. We were on the same page and trusted Laura's taste a lot. We set a budget and Laura worked within it to our surprise. This means that my husband and I only guessed how the design of our great day would look like," says Līga.

What costs should be expected?

Although it might seem that a wedding in Latgale will cost less than, for example, in Riga, the League admits that this is a misconception. "Although ceremony and celebration venues are relatively cheaper, many other positions are not.

1. For example, it should be expected that a large part of flowers will have to be transported from flower bases in Riga , because in our case it was impossible to get specific flowers in Latgale - either because they were disproportionately expensive or they were not available at all, for example, eucalyptus and ivy.
2. The decorations also had to be transported from and to Riga , which created additional costs and took a lot of time.  In addition, the transportation itself did not always go smoothly, and some props did not make it through.
3. Travel expenses caused additional costs also for those few service providers (evening manager and musicians) that we could not find in Latgale. In addition, not all the artists we approached were ready to drive that far, even for an additional payment," Līga shares his experience.

Latgalian at the wedding

"Although both my husband and I are from Latgale, only I speak Latgalian as a native language. However, this did not prevent us from indulging in Latgalic activities. This is largely thanks to the Kroma kolnam , which is a project of a group of enthusiasts – a restored mound of ancient Latgalians, where ancient traditions and rituals are kept in honor.

Krom Koln received us with great cordiality. Along with various tests and fire rituals, it was a wonderful place where our Riga guests could get to know the history of Latgale and enjoy nature.  The ceramist Valdis Pauliņš welcomed us with exactly the same sincerity. And really, what can be more characteristic of a wedding in Latgale than visiting a potter," admits Līga.

Līga and Daiņas' recommendations for couples who are going to celebrate their wedding in Latgale:

1. If you want the rings to live in Latgale, then definitely you should plan relatively much time , because the search for places and service providers will be time-consuming and complicated - not all of them can be found on the Internet.
2. Weddings in Latgale certainly cost less, but when planning the budget, you should remember that for everything that will travel a long way , you must also factor in the transportation costs , which can sometimes turn out to be surprisingly high.
3. Don't be afraid to ask for something different and unique . Even if many things aren't listed, that doesn't mean that service providers aren't willing to do it and create it for you. It is often in Latgale that you can expect the greatest hospitality and humanity.

Photo: DACE BLOOM

Decorations: LAURA OSIņA / I WISH

Ceremony place: LůZNAVA MANOR

Place of celebration: LOWER SIDE

Cake and snacks at the manor: DELICIOUS SHOPPERS (Rezekne)

Florist: RITA FADEJEVA (Preili)

Make-up: KRISTINE SAMSI

Hairstyle: INETA RIMOVICHA (Preiļi)

Crown: CROWN ME

Evening leader: AGRIS BUSHS (Riga)

Musicians: EVENTS ENSEMBLE (Riga)