The Wedding

The string quartet played Haydn as we walked across the lawn and up the stairs to the Temple of Echos, a 18th century building in Hagaparken, Stockholm. I was a feeling that I could never have imagined. The judged who was handling the ceremony started to talk. My brother had been right. He was a dry man, a very dry man. But, he did his job so no complaints! The string quartet played "Fjariln vingad syns pa Haga" (reference mostly for the swedish readers) and I, together with a few others, got a tear or two in the corner of the eye. After that was the time for the "I do's". I couldn't hear any hesitation in Yarden's voice and I doubt he heard any in mine. Finally a poem that Shoshan read and then a typical Swedish wedding march was played while we walked down the stairs under a rain of rice. Champagne was then served on the lawn and a few cigars were smoked.

We then walked down to the water where a boat was waiting to take Yarden and I to the restaurant where the dinner was being held. It couldn't have been better! Got both beautiful views and some speed. The bride even got to drive the boat for a while! When we reached the pier everyone was waiting for us with a glass of bubbly in their hands, it felt almost surreal.

The dinner was excellent. With only 20 people it quickly got a very intimate feel to it. Beautiful speeches, many laughs and lots of kissing. Many took advantage of the Swedish tradition to kiss the groom if the bride leaves the room, and vice versa.

When dinner was over most guests accompanied us to our hotel, or more specifically to the hotel's bar and I believe the dancing continued for quite a while after the newly-wed couple had retired to their rooms...

PS More photos will come, we just don't have many photos ourselves of the wedding...

Bridal preparations

I left my brothers' house early in the morning to go to the hairdresser. I have to admit I had an undefined pain in my stomach that I guess could be called - NERVES! After a couple of hours in the company of the hairdresser and Shoshan (Yarden's sister for those who doesn't know) I had calmed down slightly. The only worry was the weather - cloudy skies and plenty of rain the days before felt a bit threathening but at noon the clouds magically disappeared and a blue sky and the sun appeared.

When my friend Sophie called to say that the big surprise - 3 of Yarden's best friends - had landed safely I realised that everything seemed to be going according to the plan. I was of course still nervous, but ready to start to enjoy this special day instead of worrying about the details. I spoke a bit to the groom who admitted that he too was a bit nervous.

At 4 o'clock I was in a taxi on my way to Hagaparken. In a wedding dress, plenty of make-up and hair that had had hours of fixing I hardly recognized myself. I met up with Yarden who was in a minor state of shock after meeting Tom, Eyal and Ofir who he had no idea were coming to attend our wedding. We walked together the five minutes to the place for the ceremony and from a distance heard the string quartet play beautifully. This is it I realised. No more planning and organizing, now we are getting married...

Only a week left

Less than a week and we will be husband and wife (I guess, unless one of us freak out and run away...). A couple of days ago me and my mum checked out the place for the wedding. So beautiful. Especially if it doesn't rain.. That hasn't happened a lot in Sweden this summer. That it doesn't rain I mean.

When it doesn't rain Stockholm can be wonderful. To-die-for-beautiful. Made for sitting by the water and sip some wine. Or swim. If you have a wetsuit that is. Or you are Swedish, we're used to it.