So we drug our wedding getup across Europe so we could have a little wedding with Dasa and my other Czech friends since they could not come to the Washington version. Little did I realize how much effort Dasa and Jarka would put in. They made it a really magical day.
Jarka's sister Jana brought her harp and so we had music.
romantic music even
Honza took over the camera and became our photographer. This pic may be a little washed out, but it's one of the few with Honza in it. His wife Monica and their little one too, along with Jarka and Hugo
Lada wan't sure about me in the dress
this guy actually pushed us aside so he could get a picture of Jana
Hugo was a bit bored in the beginning, poor guy
We were one of about 5 weddings on the castle grounds in the hour we spent up there. As much fun as this was, I'm glad my official wedding was a little more original.
This is my favorite of them, because they had cool hats
Some us at a castle pics
Jordan is obviously the better photographer with better equipment etc, but I have to say, Eric and I are definitely more relaxed in these pics...
You might never guess that Lada here is a high volume wild child (adorably so)
Jarka made a lot of the food for the picnic, including the traditional poppyseed cakes
Hugo, guarding the food
Dasa went above and beyond, I had a bouquet, music, food, then she set up a farmhouse hotel for all of us to continue the party in. I could not have asked for a better European Maid of Honor.
It din't rain on us amazingly, but the ground was too wet for a blanket picnic, so we took over benches
Marzipan miskas! (mice)
the traditional poppyseed cakes
Monica and Jenik
Dasa, who may hate all pictures of herself, bit is one of the most beautiful women I know
A picture of Eric where he actually looks as handsome as he is, gasp!
Hugo was so cute with Jenik
And Jenik was hilarious to watch. He moved around in a partially controlled fall at all times. So hard not to try to catch him all the time, but he would just get up and keep tilting away
My hubby
Hugo the ham
the Czech wedding party
Hugo gets credit for this adorable picture of Honza's family
a bit of a fairy tale wedding, no?
After the picnic, we packed up and went to our farmhouse retreat. On the way we stopped at the old mill that has been in the innkeeper's family for generations
The pathway was made of old millstones
The transmission for the mill
A french millstone
And yes, I was still in my wedding dress. It was cold in there though!
Honza played translator, not totally faithfully. Lots of political additions, but it was fun
It was a very well preserved old mill
These are 19th century grinders.
Flour sorter
Jenik exploring the mill yard
The rain started up pretty seriously after the tour. August anyone?
We all eventually collected at our farmhouse
Lada and her balloon
Dinner was amazing, and very regionally traditional
The fish soup was very good. I had a hard time with the bones, but that's because I am a wimp
Then carp, a South Bohemian specialty. I must admit this was very good. I'm actually a little disappointed in how the picture doesn't do it justice. So succulent. More bones though, lots of them. The Czechs are really good at removing them. I almost got one stuck across my throat, and Eric may have pierced his tongue, ineptitude?
The sun came out for a bit while the next course was being prepared (yes, there's more) so we went hunting for mushrooms
so many apples on this farm by the way, yummy
Hugo's ready
The weather may have been cold, but it made for an amazing evening
Hugo was the official mushroom hunter
Now dinner number 2, I mean next course. This trout was arguably the best Eric and I have ever had. These people knew how to cook fish!
Then, as if we hadn't had enough, they fried up our mushrooms from before. And they were so good I ate two!
Sunset
The waterman protecting his ponds
Mist rolling in
After dark we moved inside, where the juggling commenced. Jarka and Monica had a pretty good thing going here.
Dasa does take a good picture if she doesn't know it's happening! ha
the farm dog was the beautiful Regina. So sweet!
We fed the goats apples. The pig bit Hugo's finger, but not bad. The ferret wanted out, but the guinea pigs didn't care. all in all, quite the farm morning.
And that was our Czech wedding. On to the real honeymoon!
