Behind every wedding lies a story that is shaped not by a single moment, but by countless memories shared along the way. Ági and Andris’ journey unfolded through a series of meaningful milestones: a first meeting on a December day, dreams they discovered they shared, a trip to Santorini, their first home together, the joy of starting a family, and finally, a new chapter celebrated within the historic walls of Esterházy Palace.
Esterházy Palace also holds a special place in Daalarna’s story. It has served as the backdrop for some of our most iconic bridal campaigns, where couture gowns and the timeless elegance of the palace create a truly unforgettable harmony. Perhaps that is why Ági’s effortlessly elegant yet princess-inspired Daalarna gown felt so perfectly at home in this romantic setting. It was a wedding where every detail told the same story: the most beautiful moments in life are not carefully scripted—they are simply meant to be lived.
How did your story begin? When did you first realize you wanted to build your future together?
Ági: We first met on one of our favourite winter holidays—St. Nicholas Day. From our very first conversations, we realised how much we had in common. Not only did we share the same hobbies, but we also discovered that we imagined our future in remarkably similar ways. We found ourselves talking about the very same dreams and life goals, which surprised both of us.
Our relationship reached a turning point in the summer of 2022. During a trip to Santorini, we decided to move in together. Shortly after finding our first home, we learned that we were expecting our baby girl. It was the moment one of my greatest dreams came true.
Tell us about the proposal.
Ági: It happened at one of our favourite places, the Máriavölgy Golf Club—the very same venue where we later celebrated our baby shower. We had planned nothing more than a casual summer dinner. During an evening walk, Andris suddenly got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Andris: I knew Ági deserved a truly unique engagement ring. I had my heart set on a pink sapphire, but it took nearly nine months to find the perfect stone together with our jeweller. Because of that, the proposal happened later than I had originally planned—but it was absolutely worth the wait.
What kind of wedding did you dream of?
Ági:
At first, we were looking for a venue around Lake Balaton, as we both have a deep love for that region. We visited several beautiful locations, but somehow none of them truly felt like us.Everything changed during a visit to Fertőd. Andris grew up there—his childhood home was just steps away from the Esterházy Palace, and he even attended primary school within its historic walls. One day, the idea simply came to us: What if we got married here? The moment I saw the palace through that lens, I fell in love with it.
From then on, the venue was never a question. Its timeless elegance naturally set the tone for our entire wedding, creating an atmosphere that felt refined, romantic and almost fairytale-like. That feeling had been part of our relationship from the very beginning. On my first birthday we celebrated together, Andris gave me a tiny crown with a note saying that he always wanted me to feel like a princess by his side. Somehow, getting married in the Esterházy Palace brought that sentiment beautifully to life.
What mattered most to you during the planning process?
There was one thing I simply couldn’t compromise on: I always knew I wanted to get married in a Daalarna gown.
I’ve admired Anita Benes’s work for years, so I never had a doubt that I would be in the very best hands. For Andris, having a live string quartet was especially important, as he has always loved classical music. We also wanted to truly experience every moment of our wedding day instead of worrying about logistics. That’s why we entrusted the planning to the Happily Ever team, and looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made.
Was there anything that turned out differently than you had originally planned?
Ági: Honestly? Everything turned out exactly the way we had imagined it. A huge part of that is thanks to Bianka, who spent a year and a half helping us plan every little detail of the wedding. Knowing she was taking care of everything allowed us to simply enjoy the entire journey.
Why Daalarna?
Ági: I’ve followed Anita Benes’s collections for years, so for me there was never really another option. For a long time, I imagined myself wearing a classic princess gown with a full skirt. But during my very first fitting, my mother encouraged me to try on a mermaid silhouette as well. The moment I looked in the mirror, everything changed. I felt more feminine, more sophisticated, and somehow more like myself. By then, we already had our three-year-old daughter, and our relationship had reached a more mature chapter. Suddenly, the traditional princess style no longer felt as authentic as the elegant, sculpted silhouette I saw in front of me. There was only one thing I insisted on: an exceptionally long train. In the end, we actually extended it twice to achieve exactly the dramatic effect I had dreamed of.
When did you know you had found the one?
Ági: It happened during my second fitting, when I tried on one of the gowns from the Promise Collection. The moment I looked into the mirror, I simply knew. I fell in love with its illusion lace back, the delicate pearl buttons, and the understated elegance it radiated. Since I have a Winter complexion, choosing the right shade of ivory was especially important to me. The matte off-white Milano fabric turned out to be the perfect choice. It had a beautiful porcelain-like quality in natural light, and it was incredibly comfortable to wear throughout the day.
Was there a detail that became especially meaningful to you?
Ági: I absolutely adored the open back and the dramatic train. Then, unexpectedly, something happened. My gown was already in production when, during a conversation, I discovered that Andris had always imagined his bride wearing a classic princess dress with a full skirt. I have to admit, I panicked for a moment. The Daalarna team immediately came up with the perfect solution: they designed a detachable overskirt made from Mikado silk. From the front, it preserved the elegant silhouette of the mermaid gown, while from the back it created the grand princess effect Andris had always envisioned. It turned out to be exactly what I had hoped for. As a final touch, the signature Daalarna bow was added to the back of the overskirt—a detail I had fallen in love with years before.
What did it feel like to wear your gown?
Ági: It exceeded every expectation I had. I saw the complete look for the very first time during my final fitting—with the veil, the headpiece and the train all together. I’d imagined it countless times beforehand, but seeing everything come together made it feel real in a way I hadn’t expected.
What was the most emotional moment of your wedding day?
Ági: Holding each other’s hands as we said “I do.” And then seeing Andris. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look happier. In that moment, it felt as though the entire world disappeared and only the two of us remained.
What do your guests remember most about your wedding?
Ági: Many of them still talk about the welcome reception before the ceremony. The Ayes Bar cocktail station, the champagne tower, the string quartet, and the delicious bites waiting for everyone upon arrival created such a beautiful atmosphere from the very beginning. People also often mention our vintage Chrysler and our chauffeur, who was the epitome of a true gentleman and fit the elegance of the day perfectly.
If you had to capture the atmosphere of your wedding in a single moment, which one would it be?
Ági: Probably the walk through the palace gardens immediately after the ceremony. We were holding hands while our family and friends surrounded us, celebrating alongside us. In that moment, everything simply fell into place.
What does this day mean to you today?
Ági: From the very beginning, we thought of our wedding as a celebration—a day to share our love with the people who have accompanied us throughout our lives. Looking back, it truly became the crowning moment of our story. Since the birth of our daughter, I don’t think we’ve ever felt happier or more complete. Our only wish is to carry that feeling with us for the rest of our lives.
What advice would you give couples who are just starting to plan their wedding?
Ági: If you can, trust a great wedding planner. 🙂 For us, having Bianka coordinate every vendor and take care of the countless details made all the difference. It allowed us to truly enjoy not only the wedding day itself, but the entire planning journey leading up to it.
If you had to sum up your wedding story in one sentence, what would it be?
Andris: “A fairytale come true—one of the defining moments of our life together, and a day whose feeling will stay with us forever.”
Planning: @happilyeverweddings
Venue: @esterhazykastelyfertod
Master of Ceremonies: @by_abel_rozsas
Photography: @rokolyadotcom
Wedding Film: @closerweddingfilm
Floral Design & Styling: @purestyledesign
Sound & Lighting: @s4yhu
Live Band: @pesty.party
Bar: @ayes.bar
Furniture Rental: @chairstylehu
Photo Booth: @photofuncompany
Vintage Car: @tomvoylimo72
Wedding Cake: @martins_cakes
Makeup: @kredits.eniko
Bridal Headpiece: @trangoni_atelier
Cake Headpiece Decoration: @viraganna.hatdesign
Hair: @misi_pazar
