EITHER WAY, IT'S FOR A BRIDE - GOTLAND, SWEDEN - DAY 12
Mom, A.K. and I woke up and enjoyed some breakfast in our cabin. I had to hurry up and get ready because Dad and I had to start shooting the brides at 9AM. Dad came over to meet us, had a quick shower, and then ate a little breakfast with us. We left for Mona and Åke’s, and as soon we parked, we hit the ground running.
Honestly, this email might not be very enticing, simply because I was working the whole day, and generally that’s not a very exciting entry. BUT...
We started off with Tove and Julia getting ready in separate houses. They started with their make up, and hair. B. was doing Julia’s hair, and when she began to put flowers in her braids, I got emotional and had to step out. That was the moment that she truly looked like a bride.
Of course, Dad and I were running around like monkeys shooting everything, and capturing every moment. I had to fight the sun that was really harsh that day, so I hope the footage is still good. I admit, this video was a challenge for me because of it.
Tove and Julia had their moment of first seeing each other for the first time as soon-to-be-wives, and they both started crying. But we only had a short time for emotions- We had to get the show on the road...Literally. We all loaded into a van so Dad and I could shoot them at a church, the beach, and a place well known to Gotland, it sounds like, Raokin.
We rushed back, inhaled some pizza, did family photos, and then the guests arrived.
It was a massive wedding with 120 guests, but it was a fantasy. Camilla had set up her flowers on sticks along the “aisle” outside, and we all gathered in the meadow. It was completely charming, and the weather was perfect. As people gathered, there was a sign that read, "Pick a seat, not a side. Either way, it's for a bride". I thought this was so clever- I loved it!
In Sweden, you don’t necessarily have a best man or a maid of honor, instead they had best persons, (one of each). The best people went down the aisle first, and then the brides came down the aisle together.
My Swedish still isn’t great, so I only got about half of the speeches at the ceremony. But they had their friends perform three different songs, and then Julia and Tove read their vows to each other. It was really sweet, then all of a sudden, they announced JULIA AND TOVE GRAFF! I got emotional again. They decided to take our step grandfather’s last name instead of either of their own. You already know I was really close with both of my grandfathers. It felt like my Farfar *(father's father) got to be there with us that day. They danced down the aisle, and we all gathered to the other side of the house for a quick break, and then into the barn for the reception.
It was BEAUTIFUL. They had white tables and chairs, with lanterns all over the barn. We all piled in, and began to have speeches...For SIX HOURS! It was too long for everyone, but we were having fun all the same. It was especially nice for me, because not only was I able to see my family, but I was seeing friends of the family that I hadn’t seen in 10 years, and all of Julia’s friends, (who are now also my friends), from three years ago from her 30th birthday bash. Plus, since they got married on 08.18.2018, 8 is a really special number for them- Ludvig *(Julia's brother, and also my cousin), and I got to sit at table 8.
Ludvig had the best speech that night- Straight from the heart. Both fathers of the brides had their speeches together, and Mom and Gunnel brought down the house with their ABBA performance of “Dancing QueenS”. We enjoyed starters, salmon, chicken and beef. Then we had saffran torta- Special to Gotland. Then finished with coffee, and whiskey, but not Irish whiskey.
It was midnight, there was an open bar with korv, popcorn, and the dance floor. Honestly, Dad and I were exhausted from shooting. So I, along with most of the family and half of their friends called it quits at 1:30AM.
The stragglers were dancing until 4AM.
It was truly such perfect, beautiful chaos. Julia and Tove are so in love, and they give hope for the rest of us single and cynical to it haha! They’re a perfect match, and after a fantasy, dream wedding like this, I hope they truly live happily ever after.
-eM
