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Photos by Trung Phan Photography
The Offbeat Bride: De-Anda
Her offbeat partner: Andrew
Date and location of wedding: Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN — October 22, 2016
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
We had a Nordic viking wedding! We are both heavily into the viking time period because of this ancestral heritage and my B.A in History. The wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, and groomsmen costumes where all designed by me and made by my grandmother. I also made homemade mead, the wedding cake, and the bouquet. The thrones and arch was made by the groom and his father.
Tell us about the ceremony:
We wrote our ceremony based on actual viking wedding ceremony research. We started off with a blessing to the gods, and our fathers presented us with swords symbolizing protection. Then we exchanged rings on the tips of the swords and said our own vows. We then shared in drinking of mead and a first kiss.
Tell us about your reception:
We started the reception with an archery contest to see who would win the first dance with the bride. The groom won. All guests were allowed to participate. Then we moved onto the feast, the cutting of the cake, and the first dance. The thrones were made by the groom and his father.
Vendors
- Photographer: Trung Phan Photography
- Jewelry: Rabbitwood and Reason
- Guest Book: Book Binding Birdy
- Flower Crown: Copricapo Designs
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Looks like it was a blast! So happy for you both 😀
Thank you!!! It truly was a blast!
I love everything about this.
Thank you!!
Oh, this was just BEYOND awesome! Thanks for sharing it. And you are now the cause of Bridal envy the world over (just kidding…slightly)! Designed the dresses, made the cake AND the mead? Just wow! I can’t decide what I like best. The gown or the DRAGON CAKE!
Thank you! Of course every little girl plans their wedding growing up. So I had my mind made up about some things. I just got lucky in a lot of situations. My grand mother is an AMAZING seamstress so she made my designs a reality. I also was a cake decorator for FoodCity for a few years and I decided to conquer my own cake. I really appreciate the praise. It was a lot of fun.
Viking weddings are my favourite and this certainly didn’t disappoint! Everything and everyone looks beautiful. I love the archery, that’s a great idea.
Thank you! We had actually planned a sword fighting contest as well. However, it was freezing cold the day of and we skipped it to stay warm.
Um, there was a dragon on your cake and you cut it with a sword. You win!
My fiance and I are wanting to have a Norse wedding and we also live in TN. I’ve been looking to find someone to preform the ceremony. It’s been a challenge for me I was wondering was your officiant well versed in Norse traditions? Also, amazing wedding!!