Arriving at Jaunvitagas
After we made it legal, everyone headed to Jaunvitagas. All day long it threatened to rain, but the storms totally held off to one side of the sky. In many ways, this was actually the ideal weather for us. If the sun had been out, it's quite possible we would have all melted in the field. Of course many people had commentary throughout the day about the weather. KB said it reminded him that there is nothing in life that should be taken for granted - mother nature granted us the weather that we needed, but only just so. We often get the feeling that our grandparents who are not with us anymore are watching over us, especially when we are at Jaunvitagas. I get the feeling that on that day they were there and literally holding back the storms so that we could have a beautiful day (because the storms were really circling all around us). The folklorists who led the wedding ceremony and blessing at Jaunvitagas reminded us that in Latvian mythology Thunder of course reminds us of the strength of God, so his presence was there as well. In any case, it all worked out for a beautiful day. While this photo doesn't capture the most threatening clouds, it is a great shot looking out from where our ceremony was held.
Upon arriving at Jaunvitagas, everyone lent a helping hand in final decorations, setting out some snacks and preparing the champagne toasts. That was just what we had envisioned for the feel of the day, nothing too formal, but everyone participating, helping out and enjoying their time together. Then we gathered for toasts. Again, whichever guests wanted to congratulate us at this time could, so most people presented their gifts, gave us words of wisdom or recited short poems or quotes at this time.
MP and JS gave us words of wisdom to wear. This is a reminder to us, if we ever feel like we are going to bed angry, we should put these on. We actually have been wearing them around the house quite a bit in the past two weeks (not because we are angry, just because we want to)! :)
Then we did the "formal family shots" before the next part of the day began. Us with the parents. Us with the family, including Krix and AA. Us with our vedeju paris. I'm still looking for a copy of the whole group shot that I like - since we got seated in the front, my face looks like a squished up potato in the pictures I've seen so far....
Upon arriving at Jaunvitagas, everyone lent a helping hand in final decorations, setting out some snacks and preparing the champagne toasts. That was just what we had envisioned for the feel of the day, nothing too formal, but everyone participating, helping out and enjoying their time together. Then we gathered for toasts. Again, whichever guests wanted to congratulate us at this time could, so most people presented their gifts, gave us words of wisdom or recited short poems or quotes at this time.
MP and JS gave us words of wisdom to wear. This is a reminder to us, if we ever feel like we are going to bed angry, we should put these on. We actually have been wearing them around the house quite a bit in the past two weeks (not because we are angry, just because we want to)! :)
Then we did the "formal family shots" before the next part of the day began. Us with the parents. Us with the family, including Krix and AA. Us with our vedeju paris. I'm still looking for a copy of the whole group shot that I like - since we got seated in the front, my face looks like a squished up potato in the pictures I've seen so far....
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