There are lots of moving parts to get married in a foreign country.
What wedding would be complete without things not going to plan, overcoming a little adversity, and succeeding in the end?
Holly and Josh married in a white and gold room in the fairy tale Schönbrunn Palace. Schönbrunn translates as beautiful spring. It was fitting for them to marry in Vienna after Holly said yes to Josh’s marriage proposal there a year before.
Built in the 18th century with mind-boggling 1141 rooms. It boasts a 300-year history, 3.8 million visits a year, a maze to get lost in, a fountain to look at, and ancient Roman ruins to ponder. The garden’s archways, leafy trees, immaculate hedges, white crunchy gravel, and choice of pretty flowers make it an enjoyable place for portraits and post-ceremony drinking.
Holly and Josh wanted a smaller, intimate wedding for close friends and family. Two tight family units, they brought me into the fold and made me feel welcome right from the get-go.
(Note to self: I need non-black wedding attire for times when it’s 27 degrees and I’m committed to carrying two bags of camera stuff).
but I’ve been at the computer for 20 minutes now and I’m struggling to say it any other way.
Holly stepped in and brightened the room. Josh, a 6ft 5inch soldier, a beer brewer, and a blokey bloke couldn’t fight the tears.
And neither could I. It was an emotional moment for everyone and I reckon the violinist’s secret plan was to make sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Violinist 1. Men 0.
I won’t go into the finer details, you can see the reactions to the best man’s speech below, all I’ll say is that it went down in the personal histories of everyone as the funniest, cringe-inducing speech ever. Their day was warm, funny, and unpredictable, characterised by everyone being the best of friends. It had an open bar, more wedding cake than anyone could cope with, and a little touch of a fairy tale. If you’re planning a wedding in another country, don’t pick the security checking line with the person who’d get outrun by a sloth like we did. Get there early and hit the bar.
Update: the best man met his now girlfriend at Holly and Josh’s wedding and they’re expecting a baby!
