Last weekend I went to the Wedding of the Year. Not only because it’s the only one I’ve been invited to this year, so far, but also because it was a most excellent wedding. Childhood friend Fredrik Wedén married his beautiful girlfriend Sophie von Stockenström in Åker kyrka (that’s Åker church for all you English speaking readers).
It was a beautiful ceremony and with Fredrik being a naval officer there was the obligatory sword arch outside of church. Since I served in the infantry I was pleased to see at least two blue infantry covers among the white naval ones. The ceremony was officiated by a young vicar who managed to cover just about anything in recent Swedish church, or at least religious, history in his address to the couple. He even touched on areas with a negative spin on church life and religion but managed to get away with it. The newly wedded couple were picked up at the church by horse and carriage.
The rest of us got into our cars and drove the short distance to Berga where the feast would take place. Since I drove and didn’t know the way I followed the lead car so that we wouldn’t get lost. It turned out that the lead car wasn’t exactly on top of things either so we took a wrong turn at the last possible junction bypassing the house and driving out on a country road. It was pretty obvious that we were on the wrong road when we had passed the house and there was nothing but forest in front of us. No worries, a little creative driving and we were facing the right way and heading back in the right direction.
The party that followed was extremely well planed, not surprising considering the wedded couple. In order to get everyone to sign the guestbook we all signed in while arriving and when we signed in we also got our seating arrangements and a glass of champagne. As we were drinking champagne and eating hors d’oeuvres the Fredrik and Sophie arrived in their carriage.
The food was served in a large tent erected on the lawn in front of the house. For starters we had a delicious cold soup Crème Vichyssoise with cheese sticks and a white wine, Bestheim Pinot Gris 2006. This was followed by glaced fillet of duck with a foie gras made from duck served with a pepper rosé sauce, fresh vegetables and new potatoes. This was washed down with a superb Zinfandel, Cline Zinfandel 2005. I learned that the father of the bride, with friends I suppose since we were 125 guests, had hunted all the ducks used. The dinner was rounded of with a chocolate mousse torte with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. I understand that the delicious recipe for the dessert was a family secret. Well, too bad. To the dessert we were served Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2003 which was very close to drinking liquid candy (in a good sense).
Coffee with avec was served in the main building followed by dancing and drinking. It truly was a magnificent party and I was a bit disappointed when I had to leave early, i.e. 2 am. But my mother was the designated driver and she wanted to go by then. In the morning I didn’t mind so much since I had no hang over and felt relatively fresh.
On Sunday I drove back to Berga for brunch which was great. The brunch was a natural place to converse with the other guests in a less noisy surrounding. I like the concept of having a feast over a couple of days since you never get to know everyone at a large party it it’s only one night. Having some quite time afterwards makes for better bonding between friends and an ability to catch up on the lives of old friends which wouldn’t have been practical at the party.
All in all it was a great wedding and a great weekend. Congratulations Sophie and Fredrik and may you have a long and happy marriage.
Marital carnage! Cool. I was at a wedding this summer too, and it was placed in Dals Rostock. Very strange name for a swedish place. And it too was very well planned and executed!
And you definitively have to get that recipe! Can’t you marry into the family??
Posted by Mika Perälä on June 26th, 2007