Luxemotor 't Majeur: The weddingday

After lots of preparations like: baking trial cakes (and not eating to much of them), making the real cake with all the trimmings, cleaning and decorating the ship and, really important, making the aft deck wind and rain proof (the weather threatened to be grim), at last the big day arrived.

René in his uniform and you can see how the deck is closed off

Malka wanted, very traditionally, to spend her last night as unmarried woman in her parental house. Although she never lived on board, our barge is just that and so, for old times sake, Steven came to stay as well. So, all of a sudden, we were sleeping as a family under one roof (deck, that is) again.

On the big day everyone had to dress up and be groomed. Michel had bought a new suit, a suit that Steven fancied!

Steven assists Michel in getting dressed

Malka was beautiful and radiant. And, though Michel had said earlier “What a pity I have to give you away” he performed his duty well and handed her over to the very distinguished looking groom.

father and daughter

René is in the army and was wearing – a special for this occasion – the dress uniform of his regiment, sabre inclusive which was used to cut the bridal cake.

The official ceremony took place on board ‘t Majeur. For two hours she was a public place, being an extension to Town Hall.

The civil servant who married the couple came on board in full regalia and thought it was a nice change.

the civil servant in offial gown

Although the weather was bleak in the morning, it didn’t rain and we had a patch of sunshine during the wedding ceremony.

than they say I DO

So, then they were married; time for champagne and cake. Good for me, everyone liked the cake and thought it beautiful. It had been quite a job …..

3 layers and on top the bride and groom with 2 cats

The cake was cut with René’s sabre, all according to the official ritual. That is to say, the sabre followed the cut, previously made with a kitchen knife, the sabre being to blunt in any case.

cutting the cake

And this time I cannot pass up the opportunity to post a picture of the brides parents and brother.

Whilst everyone was sipping champagne rain came pouring down, drops were clattering in the water and on the sun roof, making quite a racket. Had that happened during the ceremony we could not have heard the official text.

Now there was no problem, everybody stayed dry.

it didn't rain it poured

As said before, the weather was really fine and when the champagne had been downed the sun started to shine again, so we could make a trip after all.

Waved at by the bridge-keepers and some passers-by we left the harbour, returning after about an hour.

the weather turned again, so we could go sailing

We stayed in Amersfoort for a few more days and we were addressed a few times by passers-by who had seen the marriage, or the boat or the married couple and they all agreed that it was very romantic.

One women – living near by – had even told her boy-friend that she would consider a proposal, provided the wedding would take place like this.

And the newly-weds were very happy, which is most important.