Current location: Söderköping, Sweden
11.11pm, Dancing in a barn. Which didn't look like a barn because it was so so beautiful.
Today was the day of Emma and Nick's wedding, which has come at the end of the most wonderful few days. After the lakeside hen party on Wednesday night, we all had a loooong walk back to where we were staying, through fields, paths, roads and along canals. As it didn't really get dark, it didn't feel like as late a night as it was. The next morning we were all a bit slow to get up but, once everyone had risen, we headed off in cars towards the sea. Then a boat took around 80 of us on a trip to an island. Despite the hangovers, we had an amazing day walking around the island, swimming in the sea (which was freeeeezing!), eating cinnamon buns, learning Swedish Midsummer dances and songs and generally feeling as though we were in a fairytale. This country is RIDICULOUS!
That evening was a fairly quiet one, with lots of sitting around, chatting, reading and an early night for most. The next day the group split up, with some looking around the village, others heading to the world-famous ice cream shop next door and others using the day to swim, relax and soak up the sun. Rochelle, Sha, Jdog and I went for a bike ride to a small village called Mem, which was about half an hour away along the canal. We saw some ducklings, saw people opening the locks on the canal and stopped for a drink in a really sweet little canal-side bar that had loads of cool artwork in and was surrounded by fields. Heading back for the evening, we were all pretty sleepy again so headed out for dinner then planned an early night. However, as there were about 30 of us staying in a villa, and lots of people normally live on opposite sides of the world so were excited to see each other, no early nights happened. Instead we stayed up late chatting, drinking, being silly and getting excited.
The next morning was beautiful and sunny. The wedding wasn't until 5pm (the beauty of hot weather!) so a few of us decided to head off to the shops and get some last-minutes additions to our outfits. Andy still hadn't arrived but I'd heard from him and he was on his way thanks to an overnight transit from the middle of Wales! A couple of hours of shopping later and we picked Andy up from the stattion. I was so pleased he'd made it; not just because I wanted to see him but because I'm glad he got to see all the lovely scenery and see all his friends again.
Soon, it was time to get ready and head over to the farmhouse where Nicklas grew up, which was the setting for their wedding. The sun was still shining and the farm was stunning; wild flowers, open fields, everyone in bright colours and very excited.
The wedding was wonderful. Emma looked absolutely beautiful, and her and Nick made the ceremony so personal, with music from their families including an incredible song sung by Em's sisters Holly, which had us all crying. Emma and Nick are two of the smiliest, sweetest people I have ever met and their love for each other was astounding. Everyone was grinning throughout the whole ceremony, which was in a wooded area near the barn, with a view of the fields in the background, and petals strewn all over the ground. So pretty!
After the vows and music was over, we went to the lawn to soak up the afternoon sun with a glass of champagne and, as the evening wore on, we all moved in to the barn to dance, hear the speeches and eat amazing paella. There were so many details and sweet little touches to this wedding, so much thought and hard work must have gone in to it, yet it somehow seemed very laid-back and natural.
I am majorly in love with Sweden now, thanks in huge part to the awesomeness of this wedding. Their friends were so lovely, the country is like a dream and the weather topped it all off. I'm super glad Andy got to come and share (some of) it with me too.
That evening was a fairly quiet one, with lots of sitting around, chatting, reading and an early night for most. The next day the group split up, with some looking around the village, others heading to the world-famous ice cream shop next door and others using the day to swim, relax and soak up the sun. Rochelle, Sha, Jdog and I went for a bike ride to a small village called Mem, which was about half an hour away along the canal. We saw some ducklings, saw people opening the locks on the canal and stopped for a drink in a really sweet little canal-side bar that had loads of cool artwork in and was surrounded by fields. Heading back for the evening, we were all pretty sleepy again so headed out for dinner then planned an early night. However, as there were about 30 of us staying in a villa, and lots of people normally live on opposite sides of the world so were excited to see each other, no early nights happened. Instead we stayed up late chatting, drinking, being silly and getting excited.
The next morning was beautiful and sunny. The wedding wasn't until 5pm (the beauty of hot weather!) so a few of us decided to head off to the shops and get some last-minutes additions to our outfits. Andy still hadn't arrived but I'd heard from him and he was on his way thanks to an overnight transit from the middle of Wales! A couple of hours of shopping later and we picked Andy up from the stattion. I was so pleased he'd made it; not just because I wanted to see him but because I'm glad he got to see all the lovely scenery and see all his friends again.
Soon, it was time to get ready and head over to the farmhouse where Nicklas grew up, which was the setting for their wedding. The sun was still shining and the farm was stunning; wild flowers, open fields, everyone in bright colours and very excited.
The wedding was wonderful. Emma looked absolutely beautiful, and her and Nick made the ceremony so personal, with music from their families including an incredible song sung by Em's sisters Holly, which had us all crying. Emma and Nick are two of the smiliest, sweetest people I have ever met and their love for each other was astounding. Everyone was grinning throughout the whole ceremony, which was in a wooded area near the barn, with a view of the fields in the background, and petals strewn all over the ground. So pretty!
After the vows and music was over, we went to the lawn to soak up the afternoon sun with a glass of champagne and, as the evening wore on, we all moved in to the barn to dance, hear the speeches and eat amazing paella. There were so many details and sweet little touches to this wedding, so much thought and hard work must have gone in to it, yet it somehow seemed very laid-back and natural.
I am majorly in love with Sweden now, thanks in huge part to the awesomeness of this wedding. Their friends were so lovely, the country is like a dream and the weather topped it all off. I'm super glad Andy got to come and share (some of) it with me too.
Pictures © Andy Lawrence and Johanna Forsell. Click on their names for loads more amaaaazing pictures from the week.
great pics :)
ReplyDeleteBarn wedding is the ideal venue for some people.. This is really a great blog post.