Getting Married

The lot of us

My wife, Thilde, and I were married in July 2011. She is a Dane and I am a Brit so we did the official bit in Copenhagen with a lot of friends and a few family members, then held a ceremony of sorts and the reception at my parents' house in East Sussex, this time with more friends, and more family.

The two Saturdays and the week between were some of the best days of my life. How I wish I could go back and do it all over again.

copenhagen

It was a beautiful day in Copenhagen. Not a cloud in the sky and barely a whisper of wind. If anything it was a little too hot. We put bunting up on the rooftop terrace, got other bits and bobs ready, then my parents came from their hotel and helped us get ready before taking a taxi to Copenhagen City Hall.

I do, and the journey back home

We said 'I do', then I cycled my new bride back to our flat in a cargo bike our friends had decorated. Tourists took pictures, people congratulated us, and the sun kept shining down. It was magic.

Cupcakes, champagne and bunting

Back home, we all took to the rooftop. What was meant to be a glass of champagne and a cupcake turned into a drinking all the alcohol we had in the flat and eating everything we could find. We had to kick people out at 7 as we had dinner reservations at 8. It was a perfect day.

the party goes to england

On the Monday, we – my parents, us, and my uncle and aunt – flew back to the UK. The week was spent getting the garden ready, finalising food and all the bits and bobs that go hand-in-hand with a wedding. We had beautiful weather for the week. Rain was forecast for the Saturday, but we didn't believe it.

the ceremony

We had saved all the speeches and had planned a ceremony of sorts in an open marquee in the garden of my parents' house. Of course, being England, on the day, it really was windy, wet and grey despite the week before being so sunny. But what could we do. We rolled down the sides of the marquee, put hay bales for people to sit on, and just about managed to squeeze everyone in.

In the end, it made the day so much more intimate, and by the time the speeches were over, the rain had stopped and we could venture outside. A good English blessing in disguise.

photos, bbq, and ice-cream

After the ceremony, and after the obligatory photos, we headed down to the big marquee for a spectacular dinner. A huge amount of food, wine (and whisky) and cake was had.

it got late

A Cèilidh band, a caller, and fish and chips meant the party lasted until the wee hours. We were the last people. Shutting up the barn, and walking back to the house in the silent black of night holding hands with my wife is one of my most treasured memories.

I'm the luckiest woman alive.