Quick Answer
Who are the Kranzljungfer and Kranzlbursch at an Austrian wedding?
In some Austrian regions — historically associated with Vienna and rural Alpine communities — the youngest unmarried girl (Kranzljungfer) and youngest unmarried boy (Kranzlbursch) among the couple's close relatives are given a special honorary role, such as walking with the couple or carrying wreaths and candles during the ceremony. This is a regional custom, much less universal than Austria's civil marriage requirement or its Polterabend — treat it as a lower-confidence, family-specific tradition to confirm directly rather than assume.
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Who are the Kranzljungfer and Kranzlbursch at an Austrian wedding?
Also called: wreath maiden and wreath boy, Kranzljungfern.
Not every Austrian wedding party looks the same, and this is one of the more regionally specific customs on this list: giving the youngest unmarried girl and boy in the family a distinct honorary role, separate from a standard bridesmaid or groomsman lineup. Where it's observed, it's usually a small, sentimental gesture — a child or young relative given something meaningful to carry or a place near the couple during the ceremony.
The honorary role
The exact duties vary by family and region, but commonly involve walking near the couple during the processional, carrying wreaths, ribbons or candles, or standing alongside them for part of the ceremony. Unlike a bridesmaid or groomsman role, it's specifically tied to being the youngest unmarried relative, which can shift from wedding to wedding within the same extended family.
Planning notes
- •Confirm with the couple's family early whether this role is being observed at all — it is not standard at every Austrian wedding.
- •If it is, identify who qualifies (youngest unmarried girl/boy among close relatives) well before finalizing the ceremony order.
- •Coordinate what they'll carry or wear so it doesn't get decided the morning of the ceremony.
- •Because the role is honorary and sentimental, keep the logistics simple — it's not meant to require its own rehearsal block.
Track ceremony roles alongside the guest list
Weddingkart's guest management lets you tag family members with a specific ceremony role, so a small honorary part like this doesn't get lost in a long relative list.
See guest management →Frequently Asked Questions
Is this observed at every Austrian wedding?
No — it's a regional custom, most associated with Vienna and rural Alpine families, and increasingly rare. Many modern Austrian weddings skip it entirely in favor of a standard bridesmaid and groomsman party.
How is the Kranzljungfer or Kranzlbursch chosen?
Typically it's the youngest unmarried girl and boy among the couple's close relatives — which relative qualifies can change from wedding to wedding within the same family.
Is this the same as a flower girl or ring bearer?
It's related in spirit — a young relative given a ceremonial role — but the specific selection rule (youngest unmarried relative) and the wreath/candle duties differ from the flower girl or ring bearer roles more commonly seen elsewhere.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated