In Denmark the wedding festivities begin for both bride and groom with a bachelor/bachelorette or stag/hen party, as we call them in the U.S. and UK. Except in Denmark the party is called a polterabend for both guys and girls. The word is German and although 'abend' means night, the event lasts all day long. Unlike in the U.S. where the party date is typically known and decided by the bride and groom, in Denmark both parties are surprised by friends the day of the event and expected to pack attire often in a moment's notice. Day activities can be anywhere from paintball to climbing trees to go-kart racing or fencing to making cd's and wine tasting. Breakfast and/or lunch is also planned to break up the day activities before dinner and the evening events begin. As in customary, drinking is usually involved from beginning to end.
Which brings me back to the wedding. A toast master is often assigned and this person's task is to coordinate all the speeches and toasts throughout the dinner, which in Denmark can last anywhere from 4-6 hours. Bjørn and Anne had 9 speeches in total, and almost missed the couple's first dance which is typically the Waltz. This needs to be done before midnight the day of the wedding or they will have bad luck (or so the tradition/superstition goes). While the couple dances, the guests circle and close in around them until the groom is lifted up above the crowd, so his friends can take off his shoes and cut the tips of his socks off. This is believed to symbolize the change in status of a man from single to married. Strange? Perhaps. But there are also some really great traditions. Like enjoying cake and champagne immediately after the ceremony. After all, why should one wait?
No matter the country or tradition, nothing compares to celebrating the union of good friends and couples who attended your very own wedding. This summer alone I was lucky enough to be the guest of three weddings and one baptism (and counting...)!
