Tuesday 29 July 2008

Road Trippin’ With My Three Favourite Allies – Day Four

Our internet has been off the air for awhile so these little posts are being typed up offline to be put up once our internet is playing again.  I guess everyone needs a break now and then.  And now, back to Sweden.  

The morning of David and Frida’s wedding we toodled into the centre of Vastervik for a wander.  

There was a weekend festival on so there were lots of stalls set up about the place, and we found a flea market – it never takes long for a Macdonald girl to nose out a bargain.  Andrew and I bought a beautiful old ceramic bowl.  It’s an ‘Anna Original’, we have no idea what that is but the lady selling it assured us that it was old.  Is that a good thing or not?  We then scooted back to our accommodation to tart ourselves up for the big doo.

 Mum fended off the hordes inside from our seats whilst Kati and I were usherettes.  We had a grand time speaking to the old ladies in English who could only speak and understand Swedish.  Muppets’ Swedish doesn’t get you too far.  

Once everyone was herded inside the wedding began and it was beautiful.  Most things were done in both English and Swedish, although the vows were done in Swedish alone.  David had been practicing so that he could do his in Swedish, so sweet.  

After the ceremony it was the traditional rice throwing and then standing about with umbrellas trying to decide if outdoor photos were going to be a go-er.  

They weren’t.  Frida and David left in the funky car and we headed for the reception.

  Andrew had to be on the pier in time to take pictures of the happy couple arriving and I became The Official Umbrella Holder.  

Lots of snaps, lots of smiles, lots of rain, but then some sunshine too.

 The reception was fantastic.  Kati and I missed the nibblies part of it as we had to zoom back into town for more film.

  Next time Andrew’s asked to do this we’re investing in a digital camera, although his film photos are beautiful.  

And then the reception.  Wow.  It was one of the most beautiful wedding receptions I’ve been to.  Swedish tradition allows anyone to give a speech, so it means that people who really want to say something are given the space to do so.  Andrew commented that if you didn’t know David and Frida but you heard the speeches, you’d realize what special and wonderful people they are.  So, it was fun, it was beautiful and it was moving.  

And of course a Macdonald celebration song got thrown in with the mix of speeches, and we were given a rather warm round of applause!

 The wedding cake (or cakes!) were yum.  They were sponge layered with a creamy flavoured stuff.  And the icing was goooood.  And then came the dancing.  Random music, but fun anyway. 

 Kati danced with Frida’s brother Frederik (spelling??) and her feet hardly touched the ground, it was great!

Von and I were downstairs flaking on the couches so we headed home around 2:30 with the last of the crowd.  An amazing day.


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