As I mentioned, September was very full. In addition to all the day-to-day items, we had some wonderful extra outings and events. The first event was a traditional Bavarian wedding complete with the customs of the local region. We were VERY honored to be invited to share in this event of my hubby's coworker and his very lovely bride. Pictures and descriptions of the traditions and happenings are below. Tomorrow and Friday, I will also publish additional blogs on our other events: the Frankfurt Auto Show (best viewed by car lovers and the testosterone enhanced readers) and a climb through the local forests at the Kletterwald im Alpsee.
During the ceremony - The ceremony was held in a wonderful little mountain church. We all piled in. So many people attended that we were standing room only. Fortunately, we found a spot in the back on the stairs to the choir loft where I could still sit (the service was around 45 minutes) but where we could also see above all the people, as the pictures reflect.
At the completion of the ceremony, the wedding party was presented to the attendees.
The happily married couple was able to introduce a bit of their own personality into the ceremony with absolutely wonderful music - modern and jazzy. They entered the church to a spunky jazz piece over a sound system. The sound system music was accompanied by 4 absolutely amazing singers singing a variety of upbeat and endearing music. They exited the church to a very fun version of "Oh Happy Day!" And of course it was.
Another tradition is a test of the new relationship. As a couple, they have to saw through this log. (Obviously, this tradition must have been thought up by a man not wearing a wedding dress and heals.) She was a real trooper trying not to saw through her dress while helping her husband successfully cut the log. :-)
After the ceremony, we all proceeded to the reception site where there was an amazing assortment of cakes, rolls, meats, and cheese along with coffee and beer. The first dance was a lovely waltz, which both danced perfectly, followed by more traditional dancing and festivities. Soon, though, another custom of the "kidnapping of the bride" unfolded. All the party goers followed the bride to a secret site, while the groom and his best man then had to find the bride at one of her favorite hangouts. Normally, the amount of time it takes for the groom to find her has consequences, though.
Our group of friends at the secret location - a local restaurant/pub near the church.
The bride enjoying the fun.
We probably had 100 people packed into this room. They had an accordion player playing traditional drinking songs and revving up the crowd.
A picture of the groom arriving after his search. There was also a video of the first dance once he arrived, but I could never get it to upload.
Having fun at the secret site.
Two of our good friends here who are from Australia.
Ah, the consequence I referred to before: during the time that it takes for the groom to find the bride, we all must drink as much wine as we can. All the empty wine bottles are then roped together and have to be worn by the groom. At our last count, there were at least 54 wine bottles.
It takes a real man to be able to do this after being up before dawn, getting married, losing and then finding his wife while still having a night of partying yet to go! :-) We never did figure out what the broom was other than to represent domestication.
Back at the reception site for the remainder of the party, we sat down to a scrumptious multi-course meal for all. Afterwards, everyone had fun dancing, down to the tiniest pair of Lederhose and Dirndl.
Another wonderful friend who obliged to dance with me. It was truly a great time!! In all from the start of the ceremonies till the end, it lasted more than 12 hours. Wow!!! What an incredible experience. Thanks again to the happy couple for sharing this with us!!!
Stay tuned tomorrow for hot cars and sexy ladies...
Amie
