Defining Movement: Tying the Knot

It's always a big deal when two people decide they want to spend their entire lives stuck...er...in union together. But, this is exactly what I was lucky enough to be a part of last month. Before ladies get too green and grandmas have heart attacks, this post is not about my wedding. Nor did I have a wedding and decide not to write about it. This post is about the wedding of my lovely host sister, Xenia von Mansberg (von Mansberg no longer) and her stud of a partner in crime, Stefan Veeh, who were married on the 7th of May, exactly one month ago.

For those who might not remember, I spent five fantastic months living with the von Mansberg family in 2012, already four years ago, for a study abroad semester in Würzburg, Germany (in Bavaria). Susanne and Arved were kind enough to let me stay there again during the wedding Besuch. I decided to make a mini-holiday out of it and arrived at Würzburg Hauptbahnhof at 5AM on Wednesday, May 4th. The plan was to get there a few days early and get to spend some time with the family, as well as help out with any wedding preparations. I am happy to say the mission was successful on both fronts. The main mission was also a success, and Xenia and Stefan are now joined in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health...long story short, they've done the do's.

The wedding was beautiful, and everyone did a brilliant job of organizing, decorating, and making sure everything was in ordnung. The kind of German engineering that would even make Volkswagon a little jealous. It all began Saturday morning at eleven with a Catholic/Evangelic joint service at one of the very old Catholic churches in the area (even maybe form the 1100's). The celebration then moved outside to a patio area where refreshments, snacks, and Sekt were served. The final stage of the festivities took place inside a decorated hall, where the wedding cake was cut, the dinner was dished, the speeches were spoken and the band was burrowed.

Without wanting to get too teary-eyed at the thought of it all, here are a few photos. It may be of note to mention that I was conscripted to be the photographer for this event, so please submit any quality complaints to the customer service address at the bottom of this blog...

ALSO...just for the record, before there is an overflowing inbox of complaints that I missed the biggest moment of the whole wedding, there was NO kiss during the ceremony in the church. I repeat, no "You may now kiss the bride." moment. The German Ordnung would not allow it.