The Wedding Story (brief version!)

Well, it all started innocuously enough with the arrival of the first guests to lovely Prague. Our first guest, Marty Burack from Washington DC arrived to find his reservation had been lost (not one of the wedding accommodations we add!), which was a bad sign... However our dear friends Jan and Charlotte managed to squeeze him into the wonderful Dum u velke boty, and offering Marty the rare opportunity to sample ALL of their room types over his 6 days...

We had the entire pension, and the Dum u velke boty and its staff were one of the unsung heroes of the wedding...

The first contigent of Scots arrive... so with supporting Americans and Irish, we have a long liquid lunch at the inimitable beer hall U Medvidku. A favourite on our beer tours!

The day degenerated from there, as the girls all went off to the countryside, to sample the food and the cowboys at Dagmar's wonderful villa. they aren't saying too much about what happened there...

Of course the boyz, with some beer lovin' girlz, were off on Gordon's famous Prague beer crawl, including a memorable meal at the Baracnicka Rychta, finishing (if you believe that... :-) at the great Budvar pub U Kocoura... We also learned some interesting new uses for medieval weaponry but this is another story...

Now with most of the guests arrived (although Gordon wasn't above the odd grouse about having to be at the airport at 0800 to collect family. Jana wouldn't let him drive for some reason!), things started to get interesting! The weather was turning out to be perfect, and we got things officially underway with a lunch for all present at the Klasterni Pivovar, the micro brewery at the Strahov Monastery. Those monks really know how to make a good brew!

After lunch, our guide Katka took the group on a walking tour of Prague. The day was crystal clear, giving us stunning views of the other unsung hero of our celebrations - our home, the city of Prague.

The evening featured a special dinner for family and far-flung guests at the restaurant Nebozizek on top of Petřin hill. The food was superb (see the menu) and the speeches endless... but very funny and entertaining! Gordon's Uncle Charlie told embarassing stories of Gordon's youth (none true so we won't repeat them here); Peter told his version of the 'ballad of Jana and Gordon', Zdenek explained how Slivovice was core to the Wallachian culture, and welcomed Gordon to said culture (more on this later!); and the good priest Jaroslav made a compelling Creationist argument that concluded all live was based on Slivovice! (The details of his logic have alas faded over time, but we were all convinced.)

Well, any 5 day even is going to have a hitch or two, and ours happened in the morning as Gordon was assembling his wardrobe. The dry cleaners lost his wingtip shirt! Fortunately the super-equipped honourary Scotsman from California, Jim Terzian had a spare to hand allow Gordon to relax over breakfast at the 'Dum' while Jana did the hair thing. In addition to being a sure thing the next time they cast "Brigadoon", Jim was the epitomy of the gentleman of style, and proved that the world is truly odd by putting together a kilt ensemble from California, sourced in Scotland, shipped to Prague to a guy who lives in... Scotland!

Finally, we made it to the spectacular Ledebour Gardens under the castle. Nervous tension was reaching a breaking point with all the last minute rushing around, finding lost people, adjusting sound systems, last minute documents to sign, getting all the people in their places -- in other words, situation normal! The the atmosphere was punctured by the note of a Shetland fiddle, and all eyes turned to the back stair, where the incomparably beautiful Jana was descending escorted (she later admitted to being bodily supported!) by her old colleague and mentor, Ray Batla.

As Gordon watched from the podium with his mother Susan by his side, tears were starting to well and it took all the self control in the world to maintain composure. Unable to believe the goddess descending the stair was his imminent wife, he realised for the first time that he had just won the lottery of life...

And of course before we knew what hit us, watched by about 130 guests (and numerous tourists in the garden terraces!) we were pronounced "husband and wife" -- at least that is what the interpreter told Gordon!

Jana's maid of honour Lucie Stejskalova ( Lucka - with soft 'c') was one of the chief organisers & stress-busters behind the scenes, not that anyone would be able to tell from her perfectly calm demeanour! Our boundless thanks to her.

Perhaps the surprise of the ceremony was the signal to open the champagne reception and greeting queue. Imported a bagpiper from Scotland?! No! This is the inimitable Vasek, our honourary Scots Czech, superb piper, and phenomenal Scot-o-phile who happens to run the largest Highland Games in Europe among numerous other Scottish cultural activites. His celidh band later in the evening (with Alistair) proves a huge hit. We hope to see a lot more of him in the years to come!

While everyone else got to quaff champagne and hors d'euvres, we and the family were subject to the relentless professionalism of our friend and photographer Jan Cerny (aka Honza Black). Most of these photos are from his remarkable collection.

Accompanied by the American-Scot Jim, our Czech-Scot and "Pied piper" Vasek led the group through the gardens to the site of our evening gala -the Pálffy Palác. This 17th palace just oozes with charm, and when they are not entertaining us and 100 other guests, is one of Prague's top restaurants owned and operated by Roman; and our deep appreciation to manager Luboš who really helped to plan and make this a wonderful night to remember.

Speaking of Chris, apart from his super support and assistance over the 5 days (his dedication to improving the Czech national average of 1 pint of beer per person per day was remarkable), we hope to forget (but probably won't be able to!) his very entertaining speech to the audience extolling Gordon's tastes in finer beverages. Anyone visiting Chris and his lovely girlfriend Wendy and needing a present idea is reminded of their love for Chilli vodka... At least he wasn't having whatever Gordon's dear friend Don Pinchbeck was drinking! :-)

Thankfully, there were some more mature speeches to come. Lucka reminded us all that the night just wasn't about drinking up all the free booze, and inspired us with encouraging words about the joys of marriage. However, some of her revelations about meeting Jana and subsequent train journey around America will no doubt be a subject for future conversation of the newlyweds!

Jana warmed our hearts with her story of the history of the Poppy, our wedding flower. Since ancient Egyptian times, the flower has been a symbol of love, fertility and remembrance. Sadly, Gordon never got the opportunity to meet the man who brought Jana into life (and thus his); but we pray he was watching and is as proud as Jana's mother Vera at seeing the happiest day of her life. Her recitation of his favourite song of the Wallachian countryside brought tears to the eyes of several.

Gordon's father, Fred, has a unique talent for that peculiarly English language form of humour, the limerick. Fortunately, unlike many of its bretheren, this was completely clean and charming; telling the story of Gordon and Jana in a few short rhyming lines; however we did not envy the job of our friend and interpreter Dan Zach trying to put it all in Czech without prior warning! Dan's help through the speeches and subsequent evening was invaluable.

Well, it ain't over until the fat guy sings; or at any rate pontificates... Although Jana confesses to being touched when he publically reminded all that the real reason we were all together is their love for each other - his Czech pronouncement needed no translation.

After only 8-9 hours, the speeches finally came to a halt, and we all raised our glasses in relief and relish at the wonderful food to come. The spectacular gilded music hall (as well as the terrace and other locations around the palace) provided a perfect backdrop to a feast laid on by the top cooks and staff at the Palffy Palac. Thanks!!

Jana's uncle Zdeněk and his wife Eva Chudovi (who were also the producers of the wonderful video film of the wedding) provided a unique wedding gift - a song written for us! The song took us to Jana's home in the Wallachian region of Moravia, another unforgettable moment in a day packed with them.

Another amazing treat was the collective present from many guests, including many who were unable to attend. Jana's dear friend Indra, who was unable to attend owing to imminent childbirth, went to the amazing effort of collecting recipes from around the world, hand-done with wedding wishes from friends of Jana and Gordon. Her chief collaborator and another dear friend of Jana, Francoise (& her husband Jean Thoma) made the touching presentation.

Party time, and Vasek's celidh band got into full swing. For a taste, don't miss Sadie's video clip of the opening dance... Gordon's Uncle "Fred Astair" Charlie and Aunt Sylvia cut an elegant figure on the dance floor. We regret we can't include more "party shots" here, our archives have several hundred such scenes!

Charlie's charm was alas upstaged by the regal figure of 80-something (going on 25 judging by her outrageous flirting that had all the biys after her...!) Evelyn Hanson. Coming all the way from Los Angeles, she was one of the many guests who made the event truly special. Accompanying her was another such guest, Father Jaroslav Kratka whose blessing to us added a spiritual dimension that was deeply moving.

Who's got my wife?! Enacting a centuries old tradition that no one bothered to tell the groom about, a group of what I suspect were Jana's ex-boyfriends carried her from the Palac to a local boozer and try to convince her to get the thing annulled before it was 'too late'. So, collecting a few Highland killers, and as advised by our American negotiator Sean Kidder, we attempted to avoid the ransom (we are Scots after all!) through traditional means of violence and mayhem. We ultimately discovered a bottle of Fernet worked better and while the terrorists were lapping it up, Gordon made a getaway with his bride. Alas, he was required under the terms of the settlement to bodily carry her back as the kidnappers had done initially. He managed the feat, but had to be comforted by his Aunt Alibeth (she's from New Jersey so is use to this sort of scene! :-)

Just when you thought everyone who was anyone had come to the party; the aliens landed... Actually, it wasn't little green men after all (although a few big green men were spied later...!) but a small fireworks display just to let all of Prague know we were married!

And finally we could roll out the wedding cake. This amazing construction was the product of the Palffy Palac master chef, who could teach the architects of the Scottish Parliament a thing or two about structural engineering! With the help of our translator and Dum u velke boty hostess, Charlotte Rippl, Jana and Gordon manage to cut the cake without too big a mess. Spot in the background the wicker-clad 5l demijohn of pure delicious home made Malinovice (rasberry brandy) provided by Jana's Dolni Becva friends Ludek and Helena. This even upstaged the Scottish and Irish single malt whiskies!

Well, it was midnight, and we all thought the 'ceremonial' portion of the day was finally over... Wrong. Jana prepared a special surprise for Gordon. Knowing his love for her homeland (as if he had a choice!), enlisting the Palffy Palac owner and fellow Wallachian, Roman Rezníček, as master of ceremonies, Gordon was inducted as a honourary Wallachian, complete with passport, traditional hat, and the symbol of the land, from whihc it derives its name, the Vallasske axe. Wild dancing completed the ceremony, with no limbs or heads being severed!

The evening went on to about 4am with disc jockey and dancing; but for photos of this period, you will need to search the archives...

Sunday finally dawned, but not too early... We made our way down to another of Roman's restaurants, the Sovovy Mlyny, right on the banks of the Vltava on Kampa island. About 30 refugees from the wedding joined us for a Sunday brunch thatwas a long, relaxed chill out under perfect weather, just watching the world float by...

Speaking of floating, after brunch we wandered downstream about 100m where we were picked up by the Poseidon for Gordon's birthday treat of a champagne cruise along the Vltava river. The cruise was enjoy by many including old frends of Jana, Greg Beck & Leona Cheung; Gordon's oldest friend Sean Kidder (who we thanks profusely for treating us all to the meal!); and Robert and Michele Rennie from Scotland.

The perfect antidote to our action-packed Saturday!

Sunday evening was a chance for people who were still in Prague to do their own thing. The Howell and Hrstkova families had their first dinner together at our flat. Leftovers from Palffy (the first of that food Jana actually had to eat!) made a wonderful and easy meal while we exchanged gifts. Jana's mother Vera and grandmother Ludmilla proved that any musical talent our children might have will come from their side of the family!

Although I didn't get that BMW motorcycle I was after, still a very happy birthday!

Some guests are still around, so we rent a minibus an driver and 12 of us head south for a day tour of South Bohemia. After a brief stop at that traditional Bohemian restaurant McDonalds (or is that Scottish?), we visit the impossibly romantic castle Červena Lhota (pictured) and then go on to spend the rest of the day in the spectacular medeival town of Česke Krumlov.

Alas, our efforts to dispose of our last guests are thwarted when Marty spies the trap we had set... :-) So instead of being lunch, we had it, on the banks of the same river Vltava, only a few hundred kilometers upstream...

Amazingly there are still guests around... So to kill off the final die-hards, my old friend Colm O'Dowd and his wife Leonie from Ireland, and Chris & Wendy, we go for a long liquid lunch at the great restaurant at the Staropramen Brwery (conveniently situated across the square from my office...) It's a welcome opportunity to catch up at last with some of my old friends, under less hectic circumstances.

In the evening I have the rare opportunity to join my mother Susan, father Fred, and uncle Charlie and aunt Sylvia for dinner at the delightful little Croatian restaurant Gitanes. Rather than catch up on the recent gossip, I get to listen as the older generation trade reminiscences of their parents and grandparents, people who had all died before I was born. Somehow, it seems an appropriate conversation to finish off an incredible 6 days and looking forward to building our own family. And perhaps an appropriate time to thank my mother and father for supporting me, and more importantly, welcoming Jana and her family into ours much as they have done the same for me over the past three years. Our love is with you.

Indeed, if we have a regret about anything over this past period, it is that we didn't get to spend nearly enough time with the friends and family who came so far to be with us. Not only our old friends, but the new friends, each others' acquaintances whom we would like to get to know better. We have tried to get photos of all the guests in the archives, but alas space prohibts putting them all in this short monologue. There are so many of you that we cannot being to list; but it is our dearest hope that we will find some time together in the not too distant future. Our home in Prague is always open to you.

At the risk of singling out two guests however, we cannot close without showing our appreciation to Jana's old (and Gordon's new) and dear friends Nancy and Peter Beck, who not only made the journey to be with us, but were of unbelievable assistance in making this all happen. Their strength, love of life and good cheer (yes, we see through your crusty exterior Peter!) are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for being there for us.

Wed 22 Sep we both spend the day working, and in the evening we distribute the remainder of the wedding cake to our neighbours; then have a well-deserved quiet night to ourselves!

On Thursday we left for our Honeymoon, but that is another story coming to a web page soon...