(Daniel) It is the morning of the wedding, the last couple of days have been spent frantically preparing.  The Food, the Hall, speeches, arrangements, not to mention the travel nightmares that almost anyone travelling from overseas encountered.

Rowan and Gabby have put this entire wedding together themselves, and without meaning to jinx it, this looks like it will be the best wedding I’ve ever been to!  Rowan has prepared a six course menu, for 90 people, and has actually prepared all of the food himself.  Gabby has gone into organising warp level 9, and still looked quite calm as she left the hall yesterday after we set up.  I am just about to go to the market and buy some food, so that I can fulfil my best man duties and cook Rowan breakfast.  So I will finish this post a little later, (or maybe a lot later, after the festivities.)

Continued…

Well the wedding is over now, and I have to say that it was an absolute fairytale. The day started for me by cooking an English breakfast for Rowan and some of his friends, this is apparently tradition, but I will confirm this upon my return to England, just in case!

here's the rest...

After breakfast we all dressed, left together and walked into Oslo centre.  The weather report had predicted rain and bad weather, but none of this was to be seen as the sun blazed down on us.  We walked through town and headed to Radhus Harbour, there we boarded the SS Christiana, a historic clipper. Once the 90 or so guests arrived, the champagne was opened and we set sail out onto the fjord. It was amazing to see that so many family and friends had made it. After a short sail, we anchored in a picturesque bay and waited.  After what seemed like an eternity, another sailing boat approached carrying the Bride and her maid of honour, Marte.

I had to time the start of the Eva Cassidy song to coincide with the bride walking down the aisle, and left it a little late, but the pause for the end of the song seemed to work well!

The Bride looked fantastic, and when I turned to Rowan, he had more than a tear in his eye!  The ceremony was lovely, and everyone cheered as the Captain opened a bottle, and the Priest handed the bride and groom a glass of champagne each.  The Ship set sail again, this time heading for the small town of Asker, where the wedding reception was to be held.

The Hall was fantastic, and the wedding party were met with Caviar and Hors D’Oeuvres.  After the pictures we sat down for the meal.  This was a 6 course dinner all prepared by Rowan and Gabby.  The courses included “Halibut with Petit Pois Puree, Fresh Artichoke and Favabeans with Tomato and Chorizo Vierge” and “granny Smith and Wasabi Sorbet.”  In fact, the entire wedding had been organised and carried out by Rowan and Gabby themselves, and I have to say they really did an amazing job.

During the Courses came the speeches, all of which were fantastic, and when my turn came, I was surprised at how easily I could speak about Rowan, and all of the things which make him the person that he is.  I had really struggled with the pressure of getting this right, but the atmosphere that Rowan and Gabby had created with their wedding ceremony and reception had melted all of those fears away.

After the Meal, there was a DJ and drinks were laid on all night, and aside from a few gate crashers that climbed in the window and had to be ejected, the night went perfectly. I didn’t get to bed until 8.00am. Just a shame that we had to come back the next day and clear up!