The Wedding Ceremony (part 1 of 3)

After less than five weeks preparation we pulled it off. The day went perfectly aside from some light rain in the afternoon forcing us to take our family lunch inside verses out in the garden as originally planned. Aside for the 30 or so great international friends who joined us for the wedding party I was proudly represented for the ceremony and lunch by my little sister who flew out for 5 days from L.A. and my close Kiwi friend John and his wife Tanja who came in from London (without their luggage). Since they all arrived on Thursday at various times I was able to enjoy some time catching up before the activity began on Friday, May 9th. As happy as I was to see my little sister I was also ecstatic about the Oreo's, Peanut Butter, Syrup and Pancake mix that she brought me. Just some comfort food I have been craving for quite some time.

So wedding day began with some coffee on the balcony and a bit of catching up and clothes shopping (for Tanja and John who wanted to dress-up a bit more for the festivities, even without their luggage). I picked out the perfect tie, shined my shoes and started to put on the uniform. As we awaited the finishing touches on the ladies (all 4 of us were staying at my apartment), we had a shot of raki to take the edge off and celebrate the occasion. The 10 minute walk from my house to the municipal building got plenty of looks from all the locals and we were clearly dressed up for some special event and clearly foreigners. As we waited outside the building for Pranvera and her family to arrive, we snapped a couple of photos until my bride showed up, with me almost missing her. As I looked down the street I noticed the rest of her family but not her until this absolutely gorgeous women in white with curly streaming blond hair was standing front and center with a big kiss. I was blown away. Speechless as any other groom would most likely agree. I had never seen her hair, nails, lipstick, dress and high heels like this. And the dress...well without going into the details lets just say that the dress maker screwed up the first one and created the second in 1 days time, exactly to Pranvera's specifications. And how perfect it was.

Once I regained my speech we began to make introductions among families and proceeded into the grim government building. Having a number of minutes to chat and take photos we were shuffled in between several rooms before we were told we had the right one and the magistrate seated us and our witnesses in front of a table with the rest of our wedding party to start around, take pictures, and make funny faces at us (her nephew who stood right behind the magistrate). As we were warned, it was over almost as quickly as it began. He confirmed the information we had provided when we registered (incorrectly making my bride several years younger) and began the simple rules of marriage that were horribly translated by a court certified translator (Pranvera was having to translate some of what she said). We shuffled back and forth between questions and 'po' (yes) and then were asked to sign the document with our witnesses. Other than the magistrate taking a cell phone call as we concluded the ceremony it was relatively quick and surreal. No exchange of vows, rings or even of looks since we had to be facing him. Of course we cheated a bit with all this and enjoyed our own little conversations (non audible on video to be posted soon) and were amused by her nephew running around impatient for the real party to begin.

Finally we were escorted to the lobby to see the rest of the couples awaiting their turn. We took a number of pictures and then shuttled into 3 cars. I guess it helped we showed up on time in order to keep to our tight schedule which took us next to one of the best restaurants located outside of Pristina... (see next blog).