WEDDING AT VILLA BJÖRKUDDEN
Villa Björkudden on the little island Tynningö, in Stockholm Archipelago, a place that Elhiin and Simon fell head over heels for and which got to be the setting for not only their wedding day but an entire wedding weekend – and I got to tag along! Elhiin and Simon wanted a relaxed weekend, a wedding that would showcase their partnership and their festive side. So the day before I met Elhiin to take a turn around the church and the road to Villa Björkudden. We went through the day and planned for the portrait, the most dreamy trip I have ever been on, which then resulted in us meeting the rest of the gang who would prepare everything for the big day when we stood in line for the car ferry. Car ferry in the summer, that it almost as much feeling as ”The Flowering Time is Coming” which is a traditional swedish hymn.
The evening consisted of all sorts of fixes, mixed with a dip in the water (they had a private little little beach) and hanging out with the bride and groom’s closest family and friends. What a day! Slept well and was really excited over everything that was coming. When I woke up, I snuck through everything before it was time for breakfast and the schedule for the day was dotted through. It is their wedding day! Are you ready for a photo cavalcade without its equal? Because here I could barely choose pictures at all as they all make me feel so much.
Breakfast was taken outdoors with the same happy gang as the night before and the bride and groom sat alone on the porch for a while before saying their good byes and walking to different rooms to prepare. With the coffee in full swing, we all wanted to pamper the bride and groom. Matilda showed her skills with skin care and Hedvig took command of making the morning completely painless. Lotta, wonderfully joyful Lotta, had a surprise with her. Scroll down and you will see her mischievous and perfect little idéa!
The wedding dress was found at ASOS and blended in so beautiful in the environment at Villa Björkudden. The suite at the Villa was a perfect place for the bride and her entourage to get ready while the groom and his little brother stayed in an adjoining room. There were so many great moments and the day had had a heartly start.
Surrounded by open people, completely focused on that the bride and groom should get a day from their wishes but above all a happy and stress-free day.
The bride and groom had Villa Björkudden for the whole weekend, and most of the guests would stay there during the wedding night and thus have brunch with the bride and groom the following day. As a nice gesture, the bride and groom had arranged with small bags of chips and a small personal letter to all the guests, waiting on their pillows. Gah, I was so moved by the care of others that this bride and groom showed, their inclusive way that was so genuine. As genuine as their obvious love for each other.
An entire wedding weekend at Villa Björkudden, in addition to the ceremony itself. The wedding ceremony took place in Boo Church, located on the mainland, where the bride and groom arrived well before the guests and thus were able to sneak into a nearby building for the last check-ups on their outfits. Read speeches, paint their nails and put on the cape / veil. Pause to talk about the Cape? Yes! A good friend of the bride had made it! Powersuit without it’s like.
Elhiin and Simon showed time and time again that they really are the bride and groom who run their own race. Here we all got to see how they kissed eachother when they got all the way to the altar at the beginning of the wedding, and so far I have not been able to see that in my +30 weddings that I have attended. That the bride and groom just simply kiss each other before the ceremony starts. Cheers to the couple Wieselblad!
REBECKA THORELL PHOTOGRAPHY //
WEDDINGPHOTOGRAPHER WHO DOCUMENTS THE DAY AS IT IS
A very musically gifted guest, Miriam, had the honor of singing at the wedding, and performed an own interpretation of Monica Zetterlunds ”gröna små äpplen” which was so atmospheric that I felt awed where I stood up on the stands. Listen and enjoy while you look at the rest of the picture bonanza.
The portrait session between the wedding and the party took my breath away. Like literary. Not that it was hot (which it was, gosh summer 2018!?!), But because Elhiin and Simon just were… gah. They were themselves, they took in the moment and enjoyed it. They each had a person with them who carried provisions (such as beer) and made sure that the bride and groom did not have to think much, and so I, the photographer, could jump out of the car smoothly due to driver opportunities. But less of me and more about the couple! Simon, aka the groom, took the opportunity to ask permission to have a horse in the picture since we found a place with stables nearby the ferry. and luckily for him and us, they found it was hard to deny a bride and groom their wish. In other words, a hot tip for the rest of you – dare to ask!
Once we arrived at the party, it was all about the liquid refill for all of us. Since the day was incredibly hot and the wind did not cool down enough. But the excitement and all the expectations from the guests overcame the feeling of getting vamished. They all were hugging, laughing and chilling out while waiting for the bride and groom to officially show up for the official toast to the newlyweds and the real start of the party.
But. While the bride and groom were away and taking their portraits, the toast couple had deceitfully divided the guests into different teams and given them an assignment. The assignment was that they would perform a little number, completely creative freedom except that a certain number of words needed to be included. Haha if this was a great start to the party?! YES! After theese incredibly funny moments it was time to get inside, find their place and begin to devour the amazing dinner.
Simon surprised everyone, but more importantly he surprised his wife, with a prepared speech. The bride and groom had agreed to ”wing” the speech to each other. Well Elhiin thought they did atleast. Simon’s words moved us all to tears and opened the dinner nicely to allow all emotions to move freely among the wedding guests. If only someone could have held back the tears after the incredibly beautiful ceremony a few hours earlier.
In honor of the day, a family that is close to the bride was in the kitchen and took care of all the preparations, namely toast madame Matilda’s family. Her father made the most delicious flatbreads I have tasted in a long time, and several people that was present had helped to create the delicious buffet that was served. A real brackish meal that filled our stomachs with the joy that the bride and groom filled our other senses.
Since the bride and groom live in Uppsala, studied there and are active in the nation / club life, it was close at hand that there would be schnapps songs! A separate booklet for the wonderful songs was created and placed on every table, and to that you could drink rhubarb schnapps which yours truly helped to flavor the night before with Lotta.
When the sun went down, we went outside for a last little portrait session and then said our goodbyes before they went in for dessert, dancing and the whole wonderful party that continued into the wee hours.
Elhiin and Simon. A highlight in my career (in my life) and a real honor to be chosen as a wedding photographer for you. Equal partnership, your caring for others and the great security in yourself and each other that infects everyone you meet. THANKS!
DETAILS WORTH MENTIONING
Venue: Villa Björkudden
Food: Made their own buffe
Bridaldress: ASOS
Flowers: Bought seperatly and a friend made the bouqetts and other arrangement on set
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Rebecka Thorell Photo, copyright 2021.
rebeckathorellphoto@gmail.com
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