"Going to the chapel and we're going to get married!l"

Today's the day she'll say I do! Marrying her Polish prince! Stay tuned.

Busy busy days.

I am going to have to compress two days into one in this posting, as the days and evenings are getting busier as the Day approaches.

Yesterday we started out at our usual coffee shop for coffee and fresh croissants before meeting our pre-arranged tour guide in the Old Town. We left Dave and Mel sleeping off their very late night of partying. Bracebridge will seem very dull and sleepy after Warsaw. Summer evenings bring out hundreds of pop up bars and patios, beer gardens and spontaneous drinking in the parks and by the river. I have a feeling Mel and Dave sampled all of the above.

Our tour guide (and my Polish teacher) met us in Old Town by the Royal Castle and took us on a very interesting fact-filled walk for two hours. We were all amazed and impressed by the history of the hardships suffered by the people of Warsaw in the Second World War and by the monumental task of rebuilding the city in the aftermath of total destruction by the Nazis. We were able to view the monument to the Warsaw Uprising, and our tour ended at the recently opened Jewish History Museum. After a stop for lunch and a break our group split up a bit and went in separate directions. 

Nanny has astounded us all by her determination and stamina. She walked a full 10 kilometres with us today, at a steady pace, with half of it on cobbles, only slowing down near the end for a well deserved rest and lunch. Angela's young friends have all commented on her incredible grandmother who at nearly 89 is taking Warsaw by storm. She even manages our late evening meals and a drink without a complaint. The smile has not left her face since we arrived.

Laurie and the bridesmaids had pedicures yesterday, and not wanting to be left out so did guys Rob Menser and Mark Auge!

Yesterday's highlight was the family dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant called Halka. This was an opportunity to bring together for the first time our Canadian and British families and Kris's Polish one. We had a great time despite language challenges, with Ange and Kris at each end of the table taking turns to translate. I think we all feel more comfortable knowing each other a little better before the reception on Friday.

Another hectic day today. And by the way the weather has been fantastic. Sunny and not too hot, with 28 predicted for the wedding day. 

After coffee Laurie headed down on foot to Angela's flat where she had arranged a manicurist to come and give us all manicures for tomorrow, including a little nail little bling for the mother of the bride. 

The rest of the family toured museums and the Old Town today while Angela was busy trying to finalize the order of service, including Polish translation, and the girls finished up the table decorations and place cards. Then it was off the the venue at a refurbished mill 30 kilometres outside of Warsaw to deliver more vodka and to decorate and finish the table settings. It is going to be a magical evening. Here is a sample:

Angela and the girls have now retired to the Marriott to relax, chill together and rest up. Hair and makeup tomorrow then dressing and it's off to the church by hired car. I can't believe it's nearly here.

"I slept till WHAT time!!!!!????"

Busy first full day in Warsaw. While Ange with Kasia and the girls finalized the catering at the venue, ordered the bouquets, arranged for church flowers and ordered the transport to the church, the rest of us spent time touring the city sights and generally recovering. Nanny slept for 13 hours.....I truly checked every half hour or so to see if she was still breathing! Took a long stroll down busy Nowy Swiat and through lovely parks to Ange and Kris's flat, where prep for the bachelorette party was in full swing thanks to Steph, Jess, Becca and Mel. Taking our leave, we returned on foot and found an "umbrella pub" in yet another park for a draft beer.

 Warsaw is surpringly and delightfully green with lots of parks and footpaths. Light rail transit (hello Kitchener!) and dedicated bike paths that are separated from the road make it a great city to get around sans auto. KW and especially Toronto need to take note.

We joined Bruce's sister and brother in law, freshly in from the UK, for supper at a small spot famous for wild mushrooms, which are now currently in season. Kris and Dave then moved off for their own night of partying. I can tell you that it was a late night for some......! It is rumoured Mel had the best time of everyone....

Tour of Warsaw, pedicures and rehearsal dinner tomorrow! Seating plan and table decor still to be completed. Thank goodness for bridesmaids. Waiting the arrival of cousins from Canada and then we can say the gang's all here. Angela stressing and tired. Eloping looking like an attractive option, but too late now (I did offer a ladder and train fare many months ago)!

"It's been a hard day's night...."

Arrived Warsaw this morning after a long night. Best part of the travel was that Mel's mom was working First Class and though we were in Economy, she and her crew made us feel like VIP's. From the champagne when we sat down, courtesy of the captain, to the special treats that kept arriving at our seats all night, it was great. Other passengers were starting to get suspicious! Thanks Kathi!!

Worst part of the travel was that our pre-arranged special assistance for mom did not materialize but she coped, undaunted, having walked miles from gate to gate and through security and passport control. Nothing was getting in the way of her getting to her granddaughter's wedding!

Having now rested a few hours we will meet the newlyweds and more Canadian guests for dinner and a bit of a stroll this evening.

Here is us in transit at Frankfurt:

And here is what made it all worthwhile:

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...."

All ready to go! 7 of us on the flight over - I hope they have enough champagne on board!!!
Will post photos later. Stay tuned!

Civil Wedding today!

Ange and Kris were married today at the Registry office, under sunny skies to match their sunny hearts. Warsaw friends Zosia and Tomek were witnesses, while Rebecca and Rob Menser represented Canadian family and friends. We can hardly wait to join them for the church blessing and the rest of the festivities!

Introducing Angela Herman Childs and Krzysztof Herman!

Location for civil ceremony

The Warsaw registry office is located in the Old Town in the Palac Slubowa, which literally means "the palace of weddings" (ślub is the Polish word for the marriage ceremony).
http://usc.um.warszawa.pl/sale-slubow/palac-slubow-sala-slubow-na-i-pietrze


Check out the attached Polish wedding survival guide. Angela describes it as "fairly accurate"!


https://polandian.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/15-things-you-need-to-know-about-polish-weddings-the-survival-guide/