Interlaken Ost, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
The last few days have gone in a whirl. We are now
married!! The day we’ve been planning and looking forward to for months has
come and gone. In fact, we are on the second day of our Honeymoon. And as I
write this entry, I have the new Mrs Sadler by my side. Later today we will be
in Italy.
All our worries over previous days evaporated when we awoke
on the morning of our wedding to a beautiful sunny day with a clear blue sky. Sharon’s
morning was dominated by hairdressing and makeup administered expertly by
practitioners who had travelled up from Interlaken. The hotel kindly made
available at no cost a huge suite for both this purpose and as a dressing room for
Sharon. I of course was banished from any contact with the blushing bride, so
instead caught a train up to Wengernalp to do a brisk 8km hike back down to
Wengen with Robert and Sharon who had flown in from Dublin the evening before.
The wedding was a magical affair. The beautiful hotel
garden location, the snowcapped Jungfrau mountain dominating the background,
the string trio playing, and my wife-to-be looking magnificently beautiful in
her wedding dress as she stepped carefully but elegantly across the garden lawn
to join me where I waited with my best man, Robert, and wedding celebrant,
Pascal.
For me the atmosphere felt electric, and I don’t mind admitting the beautiful
scene with supporting music brought tears
to my eyes.
The wedding service delivered by Pascal was beautifully
presented. Sharon and I had both written personal and individual vows which with
some slight pauses were delivered to each other from memory. As it turned out,
both of our vows were similarly traditional, although I was delighted when
Sharon’s included a promise to continue watching as much of both rugby and veterans
cricket as I choose. It
was an intimate service with just nine guests, but each in their own way is
very special to us.
After the service we enjoyed aperitifs and champagne on
the hotel’s open terrace as the trio continued their classical music contribution
to the magical atmosphere we enjoyed.
Dinner was arranged by the hotel manager and his staff in
a separate special area of the hotel, the large table being set elegantly with
flowers and other trimmings such that it looked so impressive when Sharon and I
walked in hand in hand.
It was positioned such that everyone had a view of the snowcapped
alps through the huge dining room windows. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful
location for our evening’s celebrations.
It was an intimate dinner with just eleven of us but was full of free-flowing
conversation. For both of us it was a wonderful experience, it couldn’t have been
better, and it was so special to share it with such close friends and family.
A
special mention needs to be made about the hotel staff and their contribution
to the success of our wedding, particularly the hotel manager, Eric Nass, who personally
oversaw all arrangements. Earlier in the week when we were both downcast with
the poor weather, he reassured us not to worry, he’d ensure we have a beautiful
wedding. And so he did. He and others of the staff went out of their way in so many ways to follow through on
his promise. We can never thank them enough.
The morning after the wedding we and all but four of the
guests checked out of the hotel and departed Wengen. Hugh, Malcolm, Robert and Sharon
all had one more day in the mountains and judging by reports, enjoyed a heavy day
of touring and/or hiking in the Lauterbrunnen valley and up around Murren.
Last night we stayed in a five star hotel in Interlaken,
the beautiful town situated with its backdrop of the snowcapped Swiss alps between
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. For those who could afford, it’s been a destination
on ‘the grande tour’ for centuries. Our hotel was built in the 19th century in
an opulent classic Swiss style as are many other buildings in Interlaken making
the main street look a scene from an earlier and extremely elegant age. Our
room was amazing with a huge balcony from which we could observe the goings on
in the busy tourist town. This added to the elegance of our Interlaken experience.
However, this was somewhat negated when we discovered our room’s toilet refused
to flush providing somewhat of an inglorious start to our Honeymoon. But with the hotel's assistance, together with a reduction in the room
charge, we were able to satisfactorily resolve the issue.
Rouge
2024-06-09
Wonderful wonderful ❤️ congratulations Will n sharon ❤️ beautiful times for u both Love from pete n l 🤗❤️
Terese
2024-06-09
Yippee!! So glad it all worked out…you make a astunning couple…many many many congratulations! Happy trails and many happy years
Nettie
2024-06-10
Looks absolutely wonderful. What a beautiful setting for a happy occasion. Congratulations, you both look great. Wishing you every happiness for your life together.💕
Desire'
2024-06-10
Congratulations! Sadly I could not be there. My sister looked stunning as well as you Will. Wishing you all the love and happiness you both deserve. Looking forward to hearing of the many adventures to come. Enjoy your honeymoon x
Grant
2024-06-10
What a lovely wedding. I am very sorry that I couldn't be there, but I wish you both every happiness. Congratulations.
Barbara
2024-06-10
Certainly a magical time for you both and all who attended. We wish you both every happiness now your souls are entwined. ❤️❤️
Chan
2024-06-15
Congratulations to you both. The photos show it was a very special occasion - wish we could have been there, but glad to hear and see it from back home. :)
Fiona
2024-06-15
Congratulations to you both. I am sorry I wasn't able to join you, it looks like it was a magical day 💖
Kev
2024-06-21
Congratulations Sharon and Bill. What a wonderful wedding! Wishing you both every happiness .