A sunny and lovely day at Körunda Hotel

Who was it who proposed?

We’d had a cosy New Year’s Eve dinner with the family up in Norrland. It was at the stroke of midnight that he said, ‘Darling, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a very long time now – will you marry me?’ After 11 years and two children together, the answer was obviously YES! Our daughter Vilma cried all evening until she fell asleep; she was so happy that Mummy would finally have the same surname as everyone else in the family.

How did you plan the wedding?

During the car journey home from Norrland, we’d planned almost the entire wedding. Who we wanted to invite and that we wanted to get married that same year. That it would be a whole wedding weekend rather than just one day. It was important to us that we hold the reception at a hotel where everyone could gather and spend time together. That’s why we rang Körunda Hotell straight away, to find out if we could get married there this summer.

Tell us about the days leading up to the wedding

The plan was for our closest family to travel down from Norrland on the Friday before to gather at our home for dinner that evening. But as early as Thursday, just before I was due to go and buy flowers, they surprised us with separate hen do and stag do events, and our plans went completely awry – but it was well worth it! The hen do began with lunch out in the sunshine and continued in town with a spa and massage. In the evening, we met up with the lads, who’d been on a boat trip and a beer tasting. Our friends had booked the whole outdoor seating area at a tapas restaurant where we could sit and enjoy sangria until the sun went down. One of the best evenings of our lives! So on Friday morning, it was time to get a move on. We had to buy and arrange the flowers for the table decorations. The bridal and bridesmaids’ bouquets had to be collected, and the decorations had to be put in place at the hotel. Niklas stayed at home to cook dinner, which was planned for that evening. It was a quick dinner at home, and then back to Körunda to try and get some sleep.

Tell us about the days leading up to the wedding

Vilma and I had a cosy breakfast and then had our hair and make-up done at the hotel. Strangely enough, we felt very calm and were just able to enjoy the day. Everything was now ready, the dress fit perfectly and even the weather was brilliant. Off we went to Sorunda Church, one of Sweden’s oldest and most beautiful churches. Niklas stood at the altar with his two brothers by his side. First, my best friend and our daughter Vilma walked in, followed by my two sisters. I saw Niklas, friends and family who were there to share our happiness; it’s an indescribable feeling of love that warms your whole body as you walk down the aisle. The soloist sang like an angel, too. We chose to have two songs during the ceremony: ‘How Long Will I Love You’ by Ellie Goulding and ‘Du är allt’ by Sonja Aldén. Outside the church, rose petals were scattered and confetti was thrown. The children ran around blowing soap bubbles, which made for some lovely photos. We drove back to Körunda for the photo shoot, whilst the guests checked into the hotel, took part in a quiz walk and got to know one another.

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What were your thoughts on the photo shoot?

At the start of the planning, we hadn’t given the photography much thought. But we’d managed to book the world’s best photographer, Kristin Andersson, ‘Kicki Fotograf’. We had such a lovely time with her and she managed to capture the whole day, from the preparations right through to the evening sunset.  I have to say that a good photographer is a must when you get married, because it’s in the photos that all the memories live on. During a bike ride, Niklas had already spotted a beautiful spot, which he showed to Kicki. A little ‘love bridge’ situated a short way into the woods by Lake Muskan, next to Körunda. I had to walk there in my high silk heels, posing amidst the greenery of the trees. It was one of the most fun moments of the whole day and we ended up with some incredibly beautiful photos. We continued the photo shoot with some bubbly and dancing on a wooden deck by the lake.

How was the reception and the party?

The reception and the bridal toast took place on the veranda in the sunshine. It was so warm that the guests had already cooled off with delicious drinks at the bar. Loud music and a lovely, relaxed atmosphere before it was time for dinner. Round tables were laid and decorated with beautiful summer flowers in small vases. Our toastmistresses had planned the dinner so well. A mix of lovely speeches and fun games. The food was fantastic; all the guests praised the kitchen for the delicious meal. Such beautiful plates, and the flavours paired so well with the selected wines. The service was top-notch and the dinner couldn’t have been better. In the lobby, the wedding cake was served on a beautiful grand piano. Then came the wedding waltz to ‘You Are the Reason’. We carried on dancing to that tune all evening long. The best thing was that all the guests could feel right at home. The older guests went off to bed whilst the rest of us carried on partying until the bar closed. No one had to say goodbye or arrange a taxi home for anyone. The next day, we were all a bit worn out. We rounded off the weekend with a breakfast together and opened all the lovely wedding presents. We read all the lovely cards and telegrams and shed a few more happy tears.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We haven’t been on a proper honeymoon yet, but we will. The day after the wedding weekend, we left the children with Grandad and had a bit of time to ourselves. We loaded the bikes onto the car and drove to another cosy hotel. When we checked in, we found out that our friends had phoned the hotel and upgraded our room to a proper luxury suite. We cycled along the forest trails, had ice cream by the water and just relaxed. A perfect end to a truly wonderful wedding weekend.

Fact box

Wedding venue: Körunda Hotel

Bride’s outfit: Wedding dress by Morilee, designed by Madeline Gardner. Shoes from Dune London.

Groom’s outfit: Grey suit, made to measure at Brothers. Wedding date engraved on the jacket lining.

Rings: Heidi has a gold ring set with a row of white stones, from Albrekts Guld. Niklas wears a plain gold ring.

Food: Starter: Timut-cured char tartare with avocado and wasabi cream, wakame salad, pickled red onion and potato crisps. Main course: Beef fillet with potato fondant, baked tomato, green asparagus, herb butter and red wine sauce. Dessert: French cheeses with pear and ginger compote, and seed crispbread.

Wedding cake: Made by Körunda’s own pastry chef, Andrea Olsson. A white-iced summer cake, decorated with roses and berries.

Wedding photographer: ‘Kicki Fotograf’ Kristin Andersson

Number of guests: 60.

The best thing about your wedding day? That whole feeling you get when you see each other walking down the aisle.

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