Friday 12 July 2013

Wedding in Sweden

It was our son's wedding and once again we found ourselves in a remote area in the north of Sweden, where we were royally entertained.  We were loaned this superb home by the lake from neighbours of the hosts.
 


 

 
There was boating, swimming and fishing and the weather was kind.

 
...... and of course the sauna


The ceremony was held on the lawn at the side of the lake at the family home.  Such a beautiful setting!  The guests were seated on benches made by the bride's father.
The bride's bouquet was made from flowers from the garden. A friend read a poem accompanied by another friend playing the flute.  A local lady sang and there were two accordion players.  The dinner was held in the barn interrupted every so often with traditional drinking songs which necessitated the partaking of Schnapps.  The speeches were made in Swedish and English (I did some of mine in Swedish after practising during the 5 hour train journey from Stockholm) and some friends displayed an illustrated timeline from the couple's first meeting to the present day and we were all asked to add our memories to it.  Such a lovely keepsake.  The bride's mother baked these excellent cakes using blueberries picked from the forest for one of them.
 
A free pub was set up; some of the British guests made this sign and the bride's brother built the bar.


 Grattis!


 
All too soon we were at the station on our way home, taking with us wonderful memories of a magical experience.

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