So once Robert and Laura got into the car (the same gold limo from earlier, found out it was a Lincoln Towncar) we were told we could either go straight to the reception place or follow the couple on their “wedding journey”. Happily our ride opted to go on the journey, so many of the guests walked down to the end of the church driveway where we encountered a barrier made out of flowers and a group of neighbors standing around waiting. When the couple drove up they stopped at this “Gate of Honor” and were instructed by one of the neighbor women that they had to solve a small puzzle before they could pass. It was two paper hearts that had been cut into jigsaw puzzle pieces. After about five minutes, and the whole bridal party’s input, they weren’t able to figure it out and the woman said “I will let you figure this out later” and they were moved to their next task: Laura had to braid the hair of one of the young neighbor girls while Robert chopped a birch log into firewood (thankfully Robert grew up in the country and knew how to chop firewood). Once that was complete they were presented with a small basket full of grain and mixed in were many small coins, the bride and maid of honor were pitted against the groom and best man to see who could find all of the change first…we’re not actually sure who won this one but in the end Jim ended up with a big handful of change with bits of grain all over that he carried around for the rest of the journey. After this they were allowed to pass and return to their car, although they only got about a dozen yards before they were met by another gate of flowers, singing neighbors, and an accordion player.

For this Gate Robert was given an even bigger log to chop for firewood while Laura had to prepare a meal, beginning by slicing cucumbers and tomatoes (keep in mind this is all in the middle of the church driveway). The log was so big (and the ax was a bit dull) that Robert wasn’t able to chop it for Laura to use to cook the “dinner” so Jim went to the car and grabbed the bundle of firewood from the previous gate to use in lieu of that log. Robert then proceeded to successfully make a fire for Laura to use to “cook” the small fish she was given. Once the meal was finished to the neighbors’ satisfaction they were allowed to head on to the main road.

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