An English Wedding

I got back home today, landed around 9 and had to take the bus back so I wasn't home until around noon. I was so tired so I just had to sleep for a couple of hours, hope that doesn't ruin my night sleep as I have to be up 5.30 for work tomorrow!

The weekend was just AMAZING! I arrived late Thursday night and spent the first night at Andy's. On the Friday we went to lunch and a rehearsal type thing at the bride's parents house and after that we went to check in at the hotel. Andy had all kinds of best man duties and was staying with the groom at the venue Friday night so I didn't actually see him until the wedding the next day, looking very handsome in his suit and top hat, lol yes top hat! ;)

I was originally thinking that I would be so bored at the hotel and that it might be a bit awkward at the wedding since I literally didn't know anyone! But I was introduced to the grooms family and some family friends and so I spent the Friday afternoon in the hotel lobby with them and I also went out for dinner with them later. It was so nice of them to let me join them, and so nice to meet all of them! It was such a good thing too since that way I had already met some people and had people to talk too at the wedding.

It has been such a nice experience to go to an English wedding. It was, in many ways, very similar to Swedish and Finnish weddings.
First there was the ceremony. After that we went outside to the garden for photographs and champagne. This part did feel very English as the men in the wedding party wore top hats and many women had fancy hats and everyone was mingling, drinking Pimm's and lemonade.

After that it was time for the speeches, the father of the bride, the groom and the best man gave speeches. The father of the bride even did a song (which I was told is not a traditional thing). Andy did a great job with his speech!
I think wedding speeches are a bit different in Sweden. I don't think Swedish weddings are as traditonal as English but I think that according to tradition it starts off with the father of the bride and then the father of the groom and after that other close family and the best man and also the maid of honor usually give speeches. I also think almost anyone (e.g co-workers, bosses, friends) can give speeches at swedish weddings.

After the speeches it was time for a three course meal which was amazing, I even got to try yorkshire pudding! Since Andy was the best man he was sitting at the top table. I was sitting at another table where I didn't know anyone. Everyone was so nice and outgoing though so it wasn't really a problem.
After the meal there was the cutting of the cake followed by the first dance and after that it was mainly mingling and dancing.

All in all it was such a nice day! I wish I had some photos to post but I never got any off Andys camera before I left. I'll try to post some later though!