ROCKING AT A NORWEGIAN WEDDING AND RECEPTION

Would you believe at 10 am I was still sleeping soundly. 
                
 I thought I was at home in Memphis when I heard the tapping on the door.
"Hurry, Annie. We have a lot to do before the wedding."
"WE? WHAT?" I responded. So the next thing you know we were heading toward a beauty salon, of all things. 
"Annie, beauty parlors weren't so popular here until about 5 years ago. Now they are the going thing. Bethuna suggested we go, and that means YOU have to go too!"haha 
"But, but, ....." My protests were useless. I guess I couldn't continue with my persona of the rich eccentric (somewhat tacky) American!!
SISTERS and I always do our own hair; but I must confess our several hours at the skjønnhetssalongen were well spent. 


                                                             

It was almost 2 pm when we got back to my hotel. I ordered food to be sent up to my room, so we could kick off our shoes  and talk in privacy. They were amused about Bethuna's relatives being so pushy. They wanted Nicklas to wear a bundas. Eve explained,
"Traditionally the groom wears a hand-made woolen suit. It has a white silk shirt, short pants and stockings that come up to the calf, a vest and top coat. The bundas is covered with intricate & colorful design. Here is a picture, Annie. Can you imagine Nicklas wearing it?
Many people think the bundas makes a man look like a Norwegian prince."
Asta said, "No way!! Nicklas says he may work in Norway and even will be marrying a Norwegian girl, but he is 100% American!!"He will wear a black tux.
Bethuna has decided against wearing the traditional bridal clothes, also. The crowns make tinkling sounds which are supposed to ward off evil spirits."-- another picture.
 They said that Bethuna will wear a white bridal gown and veil. Some of the guests, however, will be wearing bundas and other Norwegian garb.
I put on my new blue dress. Then Eve and Asta went home to get dressed.
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The time for the wedding was at 4 pm; we arrived at 3:30 and waited in the car until we saw folks lining up for the march into the church. The fiddle players led the way with the bride and groom close behind, then the parents (Asta and Eve would walk as parents)bridesmaids, ring bearer, flower girls and eager guests (including me) came last. It was gorgeous September day.   
                 
There was 5 minutes of bell ringing.  
Then we entered the church. Organ music was played. Nicklas and Bethuna went up the nave together and sat together.  Other members of wedding party, and visitors came in.

Everyone was given a program of worship in both Norwegian and English.

After lessons from St.John, Genesis, and St. Mathew, the vows were made and rings were exchanges.

                          

Then they went to the altar and knelt for the laying on of hands. In addition to the minister, many went forward to lay hands on the couple. I found it so touching that Eve and Asta laid hands on the heads of Nicklas and Bethuna. They were both crying, but happy.

              

                             The Lord bless and keep you 

                 Lord make his face to shine upon you

                 and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up 

                  his countenance upon you 

                 and give you peace+

We all said, "Amen."  Then as recessional was played on an accordian, the newlyweds  and all the loved ones left this exquisite service.

 Bell ringing again for 5 minutes

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 facsimile of newly weds facsimile of Nicklas and Bethuna

We then gathered at the home of Bethuna's  parents. Wonderful food awaited us. We served ourselves smorgasboard style.

v Onion crusted salmon

Marinated sirlon potato

cabbageParsnip pancakes. with smoked fish

There were so many dishes that I didn't list them all. But everything was so delicious. It was not catered. Bethuna's mother and some of her friends prepared it all. We "helped" ourselves and sat down at a long table set up for this occasion.

The toast master called on the many people who wanted to say something. Most of them spoke only in Norwegian. But when everyone else laughed, so did I!! Some people sang special songs. The mood was very happy!!

Then the Norwegian wedding cake table.

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In addition to the main wedding cake, there are other cakes on the table also.  The bride and groom had requested friends also bring cakes. We served ourselves and had coffee. By then it was 10:00 pm.

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I was ready for bed; but it was time for dancing. They managed to shove the furniture in such a way that dancing was possible.

The big surprise was when Nicklas and Bethuna came out in the Norwegian clothes (as a compromise to Bethuna's parents!)

      facimile                        

I had looked online for a list of appropriate wedding gifts; 
TRIP caught my eye. So quietly I had booked them on  the Hurtigruten Cruise in the Grand Suite. Then to top it off,  I booked a trip for a different time for Asta and Eve also in the Grand Suite. Being rich on monopoly money is great. I have never tried to explain to them about the monopoly money. I just said I have come into some money from a secret source that stipulates it can only be spent on travel!! I slipped a note into Eve's purse explaining. I'm told the guests will not leave until the wee hours of the morning. First they will have soup and sandwiches to see them off into the night.
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I quietly called a cab and slipped away back to my hotel. I have come to love these wonderful people from Enderlin, N. Dakota.
I'll tell you more when I know more. Tomorrow I will go to Skien. Love, annie