And so it begins
After the beautiful drive up from Hollis to Hardwick Vermont it was all systems go to help set up and host the bridal shower. As this was an Icelandic/American wedding, there were many Icelandic influences, including a large number of Icelanders attending. My cousin Elisabet, is the daughter of my mother’s sister, my Auntie Helga, in Icelandic “Helga Frænka”. Elisabet’s son Robert is the groom to be and he is marrying Aubrey a young lady from Texas.
I think it’s been three days since I have posted an update on my journey, it has been a very busy time.
His father, stepmother and brothers all traveled from Iceland together with his father’s sister, her family and his grandmother (“Amma” in Icelandic). Let’s just say it was a good Icelandic gathering. Born in Iceland and living there until the age of two, my language skills are not brilliant, but I think of myself as Icelandic.
Back to the bridal shower!
Unusually the groom attended the bridal shower. There was lots of Icelandic food; smoked lamb on a flat bread, cake baked by Amma, Icelandic pancakes with whipped cream and Icelandic rhubarb jam, Icelandic sweets and chocolates, Icelandic hot chocolate with whipped cream. Then naturally American coffee and finally African tea as a nod to the many years Aubrey spent in Africa when she was growing up.
Gifts were opened by the couple with a lot of hilarity especially when it was Aubrey’s turn to read the card and it was in Icelandic. She made a good effort I have to say, its not easy getting your tongue around Icelandic. You should hear my husband try. The guests had all departed by about 8 pm. The men (who had all been banished) started to reappear, and we had some excellent family time. I must admit I was flagging by this point, I was up for 24 hours on the day I traveled to the USA. And I only had about 4 hours sleep prior to this day of hectic activity.
More arrivals
We returned to our wonderful home from home in Hardwick. But the fun wasn’t over yet as we stayed up to greet Gary’s son Jason and his wife Jeannie and their 3 year old daughter, Heidi. They finally arrived at 1:30 am, having driven for about 7 hours. They had their puppy a Pit Bull with them too. He was very cute, white with a black patch over one eye and above the other eye. Elisabet and Gary have three dogs, so the introduction of all the dogs was really important. It was pointless going to bed until this had happened as there was bound to be a lot of barking.
My boys will find it hilarious that I was in a house with four dogs, as I have been scared of dogs all my life. But I coped very well and indeed I have one of the dogs sitting at my feet as I write, even if he is only after food. I am counting that as a victory on my part.
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
We had a good family morning the next day. The whole family took the dogs for a walk through the forest down to a stream which Jason had found earlier. Heidi came too, and naturally Jeannie was advising her to be careful. The response from three year old Heidi was, “I have really good balance don’t worry!”
Heidi loved every minute of that walk, striding out. Moments like that are so precious in our lives. The photo shows our arrival at the stream in the forest. We decided it was impassable on the other side of the stream for everyone so we all turned back.
Then off to the wedding rehearsal dinner which was in a barn next to the house where the bridal party was staying. The theme once again was Icelandic/American, with Icelandic hot dogs and American hamburgers. We prepared the food and drinks and decorated the house. People started arriving from 7 pm. It was a relaxed evening in a lovely environment. The couple didn’t want anything formal and I think they enjoyed it enormously.
The Wedding Day
Even though the wedding wasn’t until 4 pm, it was early start because we had to return the groom and his friends to the bridal house. There they picked up their cars and went to set the wedding venue up. All we had to do was drive to the lovely town of Stowe to get our hair and makeup done.
It wasn’t the experience I expected. I thought I would be going in for a wash and blow dry, but wedding hair doesn’t mean that. It means having you hair put up, so no washing involved but lots of hair lacquer and bobby pins. My hair is too short to get up into anything so she said “well what if I curl the bottom and put the top part up to give a bit of height”. Not that I am short! I went with the flow. When she had finished, she said “what do you think?” To be honest I was lost for words!
Needless to say it all got brushed out before the wedding, but the experience was fun. As I mentioned before I think it’s fascinating going to these sorts of events in different countries. Traditions and experiences are all different and we make assumptions. I assumed they would wash my hair, and they didn’t so I went to the wedding with dirty hair.
Off to the Farm
There was just time to go back to their house, get dressed and depart for the wedding venue. It was a beautiful setting in a farm, and Robert and Aubrey got married in the forest itself. A very simple ceremony and not a dry eye in the house. They were married by Aubrey’s father who is a pastor and has spent his life working as a missionary in Africa and India. All the bridesmaids were dressed in different green dresses and the flower girls in pinks.
Of course Icelanders know all about partying.
Aubrey’s dress was made by her mother and the fabric designed by Aubrey, the theme of the pattern being used throughout the wedding. It was clear that a huge amount of personal effort had gone into the wedding from all the families which made it so much more intimate. The reception was in a tent with flowers planted on either side and the flaps up so there was a bit of a breeze. The weather in Vermont was glorious the whole time we were there, an added bonus.
Mosquitoes
The Vermont mosquitoes then got into the swing of things and were able to feast on Amma Stina and me. We were comparing bites last night. Horrible. And I wouldn’t mind but I had actually sprayed myself twice, once before I left the house and once at the wedding! Let’s just hope I can get this under control soon for the rest of my travels.
Anyway back to the wedding. The food was great and then the partying started, and of course Icelanders know all about partying. There were lots of speeches and much laughter and some tears because of the touching comments about the couple. then Roberts father, Vignir, and two of his brothers stood up and performed as a band, playing a couple of songs Robert had performed many years ago in Iceland.
Icelandic singing
All the Icelanders then got up and sang two songs, in Icelandic, and I sang too. I have had practice many years ago when we used to go to the celebration called Thorrablot (Þorrablót in Icelandic). Its the Icelandic celebration of the end of winter. Many Icelandic delicacies are eaten and the men sing songs to the women and the women sing songs to the men. I can read and sing, I may not know what I am saying but hey, I can join in and that’s the main thing.
I am married to an Irish man, we did the same at our wedding!
One of the ideas I had about my retirement was to go and live in Iceland for a year to sort out my language. That’s on hold at the moment. I will have to see if it’s possible when this adventure is over. But in the meantime I’m determined to use some time each day improving, and learning more Icelandic.
Being with all the family, makes me feel more determined. I really want to be able to communicate and not rely on people to translate everything. Understanding some Icelandic and when I am with Icelanders makes me realise I know more then I think!
The party continues
Then the dancing began, it was such a fun evening and we danced until about 11pm. Back across the road for the party to continue at Ásgerður and Vignir’s house. Vignir played guitar and everyone sang along. Very much like an Irish family get together where songs are sung in what is called “a session”.
I am married to an Irish man. We did the same at our wedding in the bar after all the dancing was finished. At all the Irish family get-togethers out come the instruments. Such a joyful and uplifting experience.
