Thursday, 9 July 2009

The W day


We were really rubbish with these all wedding preparations - we have left everything to the last possible moment to the extent that we worked on the order of service (choosing music and readings) until 5 am on Friday night. I cannot understand the brides who prepare everything a year in advance - do they have too much time on their hands? Having a rehearsal on the day before, although unusual in Polish tradition, was actually very helpful - we were able to get all the choreography right (who is grabbing whose hand and in which moment), to practise the readings and get used to the whole wedding experience.

The ceremony was quiet and intimate (no picture taking were allowed during the mass and the vows!) with beautiful readings by my German best friend Monica (who read evergreen First Koryntian's letter in English) and my dear Polish cousin Maciek (who read Shakespeare's sonnet in Stanislaw Baranczak's translation). Our chaplain, Michael Piret prepared the most moving speach ever and after 30 minutes of the concentration, we sailed smoothly onto the married waters.

With a great weather streaching ahead, we have enjoyed picnic after the ceremony as planned, in the Magdalen fellows' garden, with champagne, strawberries, sandwiches and cakes from Maison Blanc in precious company of our family and friends. It was a beautiful, relaxed day - just the way we have always wanted.























http://nfs.sparknotes.com/sonnets/sonnet_116.html

SONET 116

Nie ma miejsca we wspólnej dwojga serc przestrzeni
Dla barier, przeszkód. Miłość to nie miłość, jeśli,
Zmienny świat naśladując, sama się odmieni
Lub zgodzi się nie istnieć, gdy ktoś ją przekreśli.

O, nie: to znak, wzniesiony wiecznie nad bałwany,
Bez drżenia w twarz patrzący sztormom i cyklonom -
Gwiazda zbłąkanych łodzi, nieoszacowanej
Wartości, choćby pułap jej zmierzył astronom.

Miłość to nie igraszka Czasu: niech kwitnące
Róże wdzięków podcina sierpem zdrajca blady -
Miłości nie odmienią chwile, dni, miesiące:
Ona trwa - i trwać będzie po sam kraj zagłady.

Jeśli się mylę, wszystko inne też mnie łudzi:
Że piszę to; że kochał choć raz któryś z ludzi.

(przeł. Stanisław Barańczak)

P.S. The beautiful bridal bouquet courtesy of my dear aunt Grazyna. Dziekuje Ciociu! Picture taken by the lovely mother of the bride. Caluje Cie bardzo mocno, Mamo!
P.S.2 Now I just have to learn to address Simon as my husband not my boyfriend!




And some images of picnic:


















Simon pouring some chamapgne for Roger (who very kindly filled in as our usher) and Damien in the backgroud.

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