Oktoberbröllop på Gimo Herrgård: Joanna + Andreas
Idag ska vi visa upp ett vackert oktoberbröllop som är fotograferat av bröllopsfotografen Amanda Falkman. Vi riktar fokus mot Joanna och Andreas som träffade varandra till sjöss 2018 när de båda arbetade på båten Brilliance of the Seas. Joanna, som ursprungligen är från Florida och därmed skriver sin berättelse på engelska, skriver allt om hur de träffades och om deras vackra höstbröllop som ägde rum i Gimo, som ligger strax nordöst om Uppsala.
Så träffades brudparet
Joanna: We met on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas in 2018; Andreas, Chief Officer Safety and Joanna, Dance Captain. We both have worked for Royal Caribbean for 10 years but somehow never crossed paths. On my first day boarding Brilliance of the Seas I had a Mandatory Safety Training with the Chief Officer Safety. I was completely exhausted from the travel and moving all my things on board, that as soon as Andreas started his training, I fell asleep. Andreas walked over to my chair and asked, “Am I boring you?” Needless to say we were not off to a good start. Over many extra meetings, trainings and time spent together, Andreas finally asked me if I liked Key Lime Pie? Key West was a frequented port on Brilliance of the Seas, so I hopped off the ship and brought back dessert for our first date.
For our engagement, June 2020, Andreas took me to Maurtizberg Hotel, a beautiful, old castle turned into a hotel, near Söderköping, Sweden. On the 2 hour drive down, quite possibly the longest two hours of Andreas life, we danced to 90s hip hop, ate far too many snacks and even took a ferry ride, which was very exciting for me as these don't exist in America! Upon arrival, Andreas suggested we take a walk around the grounds. We walked until they came across a secluded bench by the water. We began to talk about how crazy things had been since corona, how I moved to Sweden on a whim, and how fast time had flown. We were so thankful Migration Office extended my visa, and even though this was not our exact plan, they were so happy to be in the same country. Then,Andreas stood up and checked his pockets. He said "Do I have it?" Then he got down on one knee. I swear, I partially blacked out, because I remember nothing Andreas said, but apparently Andreas had to continually tell me "Yes, this is really happening!" Eventually I heard Andreas say “I want you to be my wife.” so I said "YES!" and then, the ring appeared on my finger.
Inspirationen inför bröllopet
Autumn colors, specifically the colors of the leaves changing colors. We were originally going to get married in June, but because of corona we postponed and it was the best decision we could have made. We loved everything about our October Wedding.
We were also inspired by our families coming together. It was the first time our families would meet, and the first time my Dad would come to Europe so it was essential for us to make our parents and extended family members feel welcome. Our immediate family did a lot of tasks together to help before the wedding, for example my Bonus Mom, Luz and Andreas Mom, Carina created all of the centerpieces of the tables and the flower arrangements for the dinner.
Platsen för bröllopet
It did not take us long to decide where we wanted to get married. My only request was to get married in the oldest church we could find, and Andreas' was to find a place to host the wildest party. Gimo was the perfect fit. We coordinated with Gimo Herrgard's wedding planner, Marie to have our dreams come true. She helped us find Harg Kyrka, built in 1700 and put together the most perfect celebration. We had our bridal toast in their main house, which was decorated with Nordic antiques, our dinner in the tent outdoors, where we could take in the autumnal leaves falling from the trees, and finally dancing in their Winter Garden, a glass house with a bar, disco lights and a live band to carry the dancing through until 3:00am.
Om klädseln
I bought my dress in Palm Beach with my Mom and Sister, it was important to me to have something from home on my wedding day so I brought it back to Sweden with me...but because we had an additional ceremony in America, and I wanted to wear that dress again, Andreas Mom, Carina, let me wear her wedding dress from 1984. So, after the bridal toast I changed and wore Carina's dress for the rest of the evening and that was incredibly special.
Andreas wore his uniform, which was specially tailored to him at Monty's Herrekipering in Stockholm. He has spent his entire career on ships, and this was also how we met so it was very special for him to be able to wear his full nautical uniform. His jacket was even lined with yellow silk to show his Swedish pride.
Om bröllopsfotografen
Amanda is an absolute genius. Andreas first met Amanda at his sister, Josefin’s wedding. After meeting Amanda, Andreas knew this was who he needed to be his wedding photographer. Once Andreas proposed, there was no question, we emailed Amanda right away to check her availability. Her pictures are like no other, its almost as if you can feel the emotions through the photos. I have never seen anything like this. Her pictures are not just smile and snap...they capture joy, love, radiance, laughter, conversations, thoughts...its actually incredible what you can see in her photos. After the wedding, when she sent us the final edits, I was crying hysterically because it was like reliving my wedding day all over again.
Blommorna
For the bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, and boutonnieres, we used Bloem. All other flowers were designed and executed by Andreas Mom, Carina and my Bonus Mom, Luz. We purchased the flowers at the local flower store at Mariatorget, Carina helped us buy the perfect amount and she designed the entire table centerpieces, arch way, and welcome signage. Our one request was to have pumpkins on the table because I started called Andreas pumpa. In english pumpkin in a common term of endearment, but in Swedish, pumpa just sounds hilarious, and unfortunately the name stuck. So we had pumpas for my pumpa.
Vigseln
We had the coolest pastor, Linnea. She was young and modern and just a wonderful person. We were able to meet with her before hand and she was so welcoming. She went above and beyond to ensure half of the ceremony was half in English and half in Swedish. Andreas and the bridal party walked down the isle to Firestone, by Kygo, and I walked down the isle with my Dad to Born in the USA, by Bruce Springstein. We had a traditional ceremony in the church, where Linnea read from Corinthians 1:13 which spoke of love being patient and kind. Which Andreas and I very much relate to as most of the beginning of our relationship was long distance and we learned we must always be patient and kind. After lots of happy tears, and a few 'I dos', our dear friend Catrin Salen played Go Solo, by Tom Rosenthal on piano. We sung another hymn, Linnea prayed for us and our marriage and we made our grand exit to Levels by Avicci played on the organ. After which we were greeted with lots of rice and well wishes from our family and friends.
Bästa minnet från dagen
Andreas- First look, because it was the first time I got to see my wife.
-Flair Moment- Andreas friends from DIF, his favorite football team, all brought flairs for us to run through to start off the dancing. Its his favorite moment because he really felt the love and excitement from this friends during this moment
- Live Band- Highly recommend live band. Gets the party going!!
Joanna-The ceremony- Walking down the isle with my Dad and seeing Andreas waiting for me at the end was a moment I'll never forget. It was almost like you were walking towards your future. It was just me and Andreas, just us two, coming together truly, as a marriage of two families. And seeing him smile at me just waiting for me to walk was absolutely incredible.
Ice Sparklers- Through out dinner we had ice sparklers that everyone could light off and this created such fun vibe and sent the party mode.
Father Daughter Dance- We had the band sing Tiny Dancer by Elton John for my first dance with my dad, which then turned into my first dance with Andreas. I was so grateful my Dad flew all the way from Florida to come and meet my new family and life, and for him to be by my side was incredibly special.
Fotograf: Amanda Falkman
Plats: Gimo Herrgård
Florist: Bloem