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A German Country Wedding

7/24/2016

45 Comments

 
Every wedding is special for the ones involved and etched into our memory forever. This was a special one for me because it involved my niece, who has been like a daughter to me from the day she was born. Since I was unable to have children of my own, her birth was the only one I was able to participate in. My son was six years old when I adopted him.
German Country Wedding
Photo von Anna Clement
German Country wedding
Photo von Anna Clement
After living with her boyfriend for seven years, my niece toyed with the idea of getting married in a chapel in Las Vegas, but no papers were ever filed. Then last year, they had a sweet spiritual commitment ceremony on the French Atlantic coast while camping with some friends, her brother and his family. This year, they finally decided to do the real thing with a church wedding  at our family farm in Germany on a Friday, followed by a huge summer party Saturday with more people and more friends. It was definitely an event that my niece had planned for months which took an enormous amount of effort. First, it was going to be a small wedding with family and some friends, followed by the annual summer party that my nephew, niece and friends have every year. As time went on, things got bigger and bigger like weddings often do.
Picture
My brother giving his speech
After everything was said and done, it was the most genuine and sweetest weddings I have ever been to (of course I am biased). When I saw my niece dancing with her friends on the stage very late at night, I knew that she was happy.
A German Country Wedding
A German Country Wedding
Literally, it took a village, complete with friends and family to make it all happen, but she made all the decisions. A huge tent was rented in case of rain. And it did. Two smaller tents were put up. A stage and a large play area was built for the children. Most of the work was done by friends who arrived days ahead and camped on the property or slept in the emptied-out garden shacks. My son arrived early with my niece and about 12 friends. These guys worked tirelessly until the moment they left. My niece’s best friend, Corinna, was amazing—she cooked for all the people and was the best personal assistant I have ever seen. Dominik , the best man, was working very hard in the yard and making sure that the groom had a helping hand. Guest came from Austria, Colombia, Venezuela, Nepal, and let's not forget California. 
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A german country wedding
a country wedding
a country wedding
country living
A country wedding
preparing for a wedding
a country wedding
german country wedding
We old folks decided to stay in a hotel in a nearby small town. The groom’s mother transported some beautiful but very fragile wildflowers from home. The woman in the neighboring village made a huge wedding wreath. It is tradition in this village to make one for every wedding. What a wonderful local custom. My niece wanted to be married there rather than in her home village two kilometers away. 
In the truest sense, it was a dramatic event. Mother Nature added a violent thunderstorm a half  hour before the wedding. The boys had to get undressed and rescue one of the tents. The decorations from the stage flew all over the farm. Getting to the church was a task not easily done, due to high wind and rain. The church bells rang for awhile. But all was forgotten as my my niece and the groom walked together down the aisle lead by the pastor, which was something they had decided ahead of time. They had lived together for seven years and had been separated by my niece's internship in Melbourne, Australia for a year. And a life-threatening illness had brought them even closer. There were tears of happiness flowing in the little church.

Wedding planer
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wedding
A country wedding in Germany
The thunderstorm was over after the church and all was well. Some farmers decorated a trailer to transport the couple back to the farm.  Some other guests were in a second trailer pulled by a tractor. I loved it.
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This was a trailer with a tractor behind that drove the newlyweds home from the church
A german wedding
The second trailer
a german wedding
On the way home
The reception party following the ceremony was fun and we danced way into the night. Everybody had fun.
a german country wedding
The next day, the annual summer party took place. It was a potluck event so people brought salads and my brother's friend barbecued sausages and meat. Unfortunately, it rained, so everything took place in the tents. The following day everybody helped clean up and 
the wedding weekend was over. Weddings in Germany are as different as they are here in the States—from very formal to a small gathering at the justice of peace.
​ I used my own photos except for the the first two. I will add or replace some photos later.
a happy wedding
I ask the bride and the groom to choose their  favorite food from my blog for this post. The bride likes my duck confit quesadillas and the groom my chocolate tart.  
chocolate tart
Duck Confit Quesadillas, click on the picture for the recipe
Picture
Chocolate Tart, click on the picture for the recipe
45 Comments
TheKitchenLioness
7/26/2016 02:45:25 am

Dear Gerlinde, these are some of the most beautiful weeding pictures that I have ever seen - so sweet, so lovingly put together and you are most certainly pulling at my heart´s strings with your terrific write-up of the bride and groom, their love, their relationship, their friends, families, the ceremony and all! I am speechles and happy now!
What a lovely and wonderful idea for an amazing blog post, my friend!
Alles Liebe und Gute für euch alle!
Andrea

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Gerlinde
7/26/2016 09:26:28 am

Those two are very special to me , I love them dearly.

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Penny link
7/26/2016 05:18:27 am

Gerlinde, reading this and viewing the photos made me feel as if I was at the wedding and brought a feeling of sweet, sweet tears. Isn't it wondrous how weddings, especially this wedding, knit together?

I love the tradition of making a wedding wreath. Is this the wreath on the floor in the church?

Best wishes of good health and happiness for the bride and the groom.

Reply
Gerlinde
7/26/2016 09:30:55 am

Penny, yes that is the wreath on the floor on the church. Unfortunately, I didn't have a good photo of the women making the wreath.

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Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient link
7/26/2016 09:53:05 am

Beautiful wedding, beautiful couple. Both of my sons have weddings on the horizon and this is making me even more excited for the day :)

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:36:34 am

You will have a wonderful time.

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Pamela link
7/26/2016 01:22:03 pm

I felt the joy of the wedding and this exceptional couple through your photos. Absolutely delightful, full of love and fun and life. So happy it all went well, thunderstorms and all.
BTW, a young writing friend of mine has moved from my Boston area home to Santa Cruz. She's an animal lover and is working now with a local vet and volunteering at an animal shelter (I think in Monterey). She is learning to LOVE Santa Cruz (and I take some credit, because that's the area of CA I suggested she get to know). xo

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:39:19 am

I would love to meet this young lady if she is at all interested . No pressure however.

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Jo Nell Huff link
7/26/2016 01:27:59 pm

What a beautiful love story and wedding! Your niece and her husband are a fairy tale match with they lovely smiles. I loved seeing the wedding traditions of your country and having everyone come together. The thunderstorm added to the excitement but I am glad that all went well. Beautiful photos! And you did not disappoint with food and recipes. Cheers to a happy marriage for this young couple!

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:40:41 am

Thank you Jo, that is so sweet , let's hope for the best and a
long and happy life together.

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Suzanne link
7/26/2016 01:36:22 pm

Gerlinde, what lovely photo's and such a special couple and wedding. I love the setting, how it's done is simple and beautiful and welcoming. Very happy for the wonderful couple and for you. May they enjoy many years of happiness together.

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:42:19 am

Thank you Suzanne, the setting was great and everybody had a good time. My mom would have loved it.

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Kay link
7/26/2016 02:00:16 pm

What a beautiful post Gerlinde and beautiful wedding. Your love for your family and especially your niece shines through. All good wishes to the couple for their future together.

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:44:09 am

Thank you Kay for your kind comment. I do love them.

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Darlene Foster link
7/26/2016 02:24:31 pm

What a wonderful wedding!! Great pictures.

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:45:02 am

Thanks Darlene, I hope to get some more pictures from the party.

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Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen link
7/26/2016 03:17:06 pm

Sounds like fun was had by all Gerlinde! Rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck too! Thanks for sharing your photos and all the wedding fun with us!

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:46:47 am

Thanks Mary Ann, I hope I did the right thing when I shared this.

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Deb|EastofEdenCooking link
7/26/2016 05:42:02 pm

A spectacular post! We have excitement, whimsy and lots of enchantment! Thank you for sharing this special time with us. You have captured the mood perfectly.

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:48:50 am

Thank you Deb, that's very kind of you.

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Diane
7/26/2016 11:59:31 pm

We are thrilled for you and your family. It takes a village and the village came together for Anne and Peter, offering love and support for their lives together. May they continue to love and prosper!
Diane

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:49:37 am

Thank you my friend, let's all hope for the very best.

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Kathryn @anotherfoodiebloger
7/27/2016 08:32:32 am

Wow Gerlinde, the wedding looks postcard picture perfect! I am so very happy for your family and your niece and husband, the wedding seems to have come from a fairy-tale! You took some amazing photos that I know will be cherished for many years to come. xo

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 09:53:05 am

Thank you for the sweet comment. Let's wish for the very best .

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John / Kitchen Riffs link
7/27/2016 12:50:12 pm

What a sweet post! And what a sweet wedding -- love all the pictures. Looks like a perfect day -- everyone looks so happy. Fun read -- thanks so much.

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 10:18:24 pm

Thank you John, this was a nice wedding.

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Joanna Jarvis link
7/27/2016 05:51:51 pm

Thank you for this view into customs I would not otherwise get to see. Oh, I wish I could have been there to enjoy the whole of it. The food looks spectacular. I'm glad it turned out well, and I'm sure people were glad of the tent in the thunderstorm - good planning, for sure!

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Gerlinde
7/27/2016 10:21:59 pm

Thank you Joanna, You would have enjoyed the wedding. There was a lot of dancing late at night.

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Tricia @ Saving room for dessert link
7/28/2016 01:07:32 pm

Oh Gerlinde this post gave me goosebumps! How romantic and special. I love that everyone helped and put forth such a great effort to make it happen. They must be well loved for sure! So happy you were able to attend and take these fantastic photos! Bravo!!!

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Gerlinde
7/28/2016 08:45:59 pm

Thank you Tricia, it was such a nice event and I enjoyed it very much.

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sippitysup link
7/28/2016 01:23:13 pm

Simply perfect. I have a tear in my eye. GREG

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Gerlinde
7/28/2016 08:54:07 pm

I hope it is a tear of happiness!

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Mimi link
7/28/2016 03:31:32 pm

I'm so glad they finally had a real wedding! It was so beautiful, and the bride and groom look so happy. Beautiful photos.

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Gerlinde
7/28/2016 08:48:43 pm

Thanks Mimi, I hope to get more photos of the dancing.

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Nicole @ thejameskitchen link
7/28/2016 05:26:44 pm

What a wonderful country wedding with the whole village contributing and taking part, every moment of it sounds and looks so special. Your niece is adorable (and her husband, too). Toi, toi, toi. N xxx

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Gerlinde
7/28/2016 08:52:04 pm

Thanks Nicole, before you know it your boys will be getting married. Time goes by so fast. It was like yesterday when my niece was a cute little baby.

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David link
7/29/2016 04:12:50 pm

Gerlinde - what a beautiful wedding! Congratulations and all my best to the bride and groom for a happy life together. Your duck confit quesadillas would have been my choice, too!

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Gerlinde
7/31/2016 09:50:42 pm

Thank David, the duck confit quesadillas are also on top of my list. Have a great week.

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Wendi link
7/31/2016 12:46:45 pm

Hi!! Such a pleasure to meet you today at the conference! I LOVE your site! What great info and BEAUTIFUL photos! I feel just like I now know your Neice. What a lovely bride!! Safe travels, my new friend!

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Gerlinde
7/31/2016 09:56:47 pm

I enjoyed meeting you also and thank for your help and support, it was greatly appreciated. I hope you had a great afternoon in our beautiful state capital.

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Liz Posmyk (Good Things) link
8/1/2016 02:34:40 am

Dear Gerlinde, thank you for sharing this beautiful occasion with us xx

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Gerlinde
8/1/2016 08:06:40 am

Thank you Liz, have a great week

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Purea Koenig
8/4/2016 07:11:24 am

Gerlinde thank you so much for sharing this magical event with us. I love the photos and your write up. All the best to the bride and groom. I hope we can visit your farm some day in Germany!

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Gerlinde
8/6/2016 01:42:08 pm

I love to share Germany and the farm with you my friend.

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Marylin Warner link
8/13/2016 08:32:05 am

What a beautiful wedding, Gerlinde! The trailer picture is amazing, and the help and joy and support throughout it all is lovely. They're off to a good start, and everyone who took part is enriched.

Reply



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