Photo: Peter Brinch1/34Our dog, Argos, is unsure of the unusual activity happening in our dressing area. David, the owner of the store from which we bought the wedding attire, is assisting Rufus in positioning his pocket square.
Photo: Peter Brinch2/34We descended the back stairs smiling, just before heading to the ceremony.
Photo: Peter Brinch3/34A pre-wedding photo under the trellis woven with wisteria in the backyard.
Photo: Peter Brinch4/34An American flag was raised in the main reception room of the town hall on the day of our wedding to mark the special occasion.
Photo: Peter Brinch5/34Rufus taking a breather and a sip of a drink, in the anteroom of the main hall in which the ceremony took place.
Photo: Peter Brinch6/34Our rings, designed by the Danish silversmith company Georg Jensen.
Photo: Peter Brinch7/34I needed some assistance with the placement and positioning of my boutonniere.
Photo: Peter Brinch8/34I wanted to read over the vows just before the ceremony took place.
Photo: Peter Brinch9/34A few of the guests taking a selfie before everything got started: Kimberly Emerson with her husband, John Emerson, the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, and U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe Dan Baer and husband Brian Walsh.
Photo: Peter Brinch10/34The Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen, leading Rufus and me to the front of the main hall.
Photo: Peter Brinch11/34The Lord Mayor officiating the ceremony.
Photo: Peter Brinch12/34Rufus and I exchanging our rings.
Photo: Peter Brinch13/34Guests applauding at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Photo: Peter Brinch14/34Greeting our guests.
Photo: Peter Brinch15/34We also stood for a few photos underneath the Danish and American flags in the town hall.
Photo: Peter Brinch16/34Our friends and family all descended the stairs after the ceremony.
Photo: Peter Brinch17/34Rufus and I outside in the gardens while the press snapped a few photos of us post-nuptials.
Photo: Peter Brinch18/34Rufus and I with his parents, siblings, nieces, and nephew on the front lawn of Rydhave.
Photo: Peter Brinch19/34Our planner set up a beautiful tent for the reception dinner in the backyard of the Rydhave.
Photo: Peter Brinch20/34Our menu cards for the family-style meal, catered by one of our favorite local restaurants, Pluto.
Photo: Peter Brinch21/34Some last-minute dinner prep.
Photo: Peter Brinch22/34Rufus standing with the embassy’s deputy chief of misison, Karl Stoltz.
Photo: Peter Brinch23/34Rufus and I gave some welcome remarks at the start of the reception to give thanks and get the celebration started.
Photo: Peter Brinch24/34There were 16 toasts coordinated by a Danish friend who served as toastmaster, which is standard at a Danish wedding.
Photo: Peter Brinch25/34Me and my sister Jackie embracing after she gave her toast at dinner.
Photo: Peter Brinch26/34The toasts were given by our family and friends, with great emotion, resulting in laughter and tears of appreciation and joy.
Photo: Peter Brinch27/34The five eldest of Rufus’s nieces giving their remarks at the reception.
Photo: Peter Brinch28/34A kiss during the toasts. I’ve been to many weddings, but ours was truly filled with so much love and lots and lots of laughter that made it feel different.
Photo: Peter Brinch29/34Rufus’s father, Chad.
Photo: Peter Brinch30/34Rufus and his father in an amazing embrace after the toast.
Photo: Peter Brinch31/34Cutting the cake at midnight, as is tradition in Denmark.
Photo: Peter Brinch32/34Rufus and I tasting the cake, arm in arm, just before midnight.
Photo: Peter Brinch33/34Our special fireworks show at midnight.
Photo: Peter Brinch34/34Around 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning, Rufus and I were grabbed by our Danish male friends and hoisted into the air. Our shoes were removed and the tips of our socks were cut off. This is a Danish wedding tradition that dates back hundreds of years and is meant to prevent the groom from running off with another woman (or in our case, another man).
