Barrett and Anette got married yesterday in a quaint little seaside town outside of Oslo. It was at a place called HolmsbuBad Hotell and it sat just on the edge of a Fjord (a narrow inlet created by glaciers with steep sides is what the dictionary says). I know I keep using "amazing" in my posts, and again I have to say that it was an amazing ceremony, dinner, and reception. Even thought the weather didn't cooperate and it was raining off and on all day.
There were many traditions both Norwegian and American that we all partook in, and spending this special day with Barrett and Anette was an honour for both Mike and I. 
Barrett and Anette had a beautiful Humanistic ceremony with 60 of their closest family and friends. After the ceremony we were able to go out on the patio of the hotell and mingle while everyone took pictures. Then we started the dinner. This is where the toastmaster (a special friend who leads the dinner and the speeches) gave us the outline of our meal and what was to be expected of us when we were having dinner and when the speeches were given. We then were welcomed to dinner by Anette's dad and began to eat.
Throughout the dinner we heard beautifully touching prepared speeches from Anette's mother and father, Barrett's m other, the sponsors ("best man" and "maid of honor"), and Barrett and Anette. This is one of the things that Mike and I have decided we would like to have at our own wedding! The toastmaster was able to introduce the speakers and lead them into their speeches, as well as keep everything on "time!" Also having to have a speech "prepared" seemed to us that they were very thought, tasteful, meaningful and extremely heartfelt. 
We also were introduced to another fun tradition that when either the bride or groom left the room, the other girls or guys had to get up go in a line around the room and then kiss them on their cheek :-) Another thing that was similar with a extra twist, was that we could ding our glasses and Barrett and Anette had to stand on chairs and kiss, or we could stomp our feet and they had to go under the table and kiss. All in all the dinner was about 3 or so hours long and great fun. 
After the dinner, we then again enjoyed some mingling as they got the dance floor ready and the band set up their stuff. We opened the dance with Anette and Barrett's first dance, which after they danced for a minute or so we all grabbed hands in a circle and walked around them. Then we did a "line dance" of sorts and walked around the hotel and then made a tunnel so everyone could go under. Then we began dancing the night away to great music. There is one thing that is certain, no matter how far away we are from our home, this wedding felt like we were in our "Norwegian home!"
As I am writing this today it is so bittersweet that we will be heading back to our house tomorrow. Norway has both mine and Mike's heart! We are so lucky to have had this opportunity to come over here and share in so many special wonderful things with Barrett and Anette. Their family and friends have been so welcoming and gracious while we have been here. I feel like in 6 days both Mike and I have spent time with great friends, both old and new!
There were many traditions both Norwegian and American that we all partook in, and spending this special day with Barrett and Anette was an honour for both Mike and I. Barrett and Anette had a beautiful Humanistic ceremony with 60 of their closest family and friends. After the ceremony we were able to go out on the patio of the hotell and mingle while everyone took pictures. Then we started the dinner. This is where the toastmaster (a special friend who leads the dinner and the speeches) gave us the outline of our meal and what was to be expected of us when we were having dinner and when the speeches were given. We then were welcomed to dinner by Anette's dad and began to eat. Throughout the dinner we heard beautifully touching prepared speeches from Anette's mother and father, Barrett's m other, the sponsors ("best man" and "maid of honor"), and Barrett and Anette. This is one of the things that Mike and I have decided we would like to have at our own wedding! The toastmaster was able to introduce the speakers and lead them into their speeches, as well as keep everything on "time!" Also having to have a speech "prepared" seemed to us that they were very thought, tasteful, meaningful and extremely heartfelt. We also were introduced to another fun tradition that when either the bride or groom left the room, the other girls or guys had to get up go in a line around the room and then kiss them on their cheek :-) Another thing that was similar with a extra twist, was that we could ding our glasses and Barrett and Anette had to stand on chairs and kiss, or we could stomp our feet and they had to go under the table and kiss. All in all the dinner was about 3 or so hours long and great fun. After the dinner, we then again enjoyed some mingling as they got the dance floor ready and the band set up their stuff. We opened the dance with Anette and Barrett's first dance, which after they danced for a minute or so we all grabbed hands in a circle and walked around them. Then we did a "line dance" of sorts and walked around the hotel and then made a tunnel so everyone could go under. Then we began dancing the night away to great music. There is one thing that is certain, no matter how far away we are from our home, this wedding felt like we were in our "Norwegian home!"
As I am writing this today it is so bittersweet that we will be heading back to our house tomorrow. Norway has both mine and Mike's heart! We are so lucky to have had this opportunity to come over here and share in so many special wonderful things with Barrett and Anette. Their family and friends have been so welcoming and gracious while we have been here. I feel like in 6 days both Mike and I have spent time with great friends, both old and new!
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