Hola!
Simplement us volem dir:
MOLTES GRÀCIES PER ACOMPANYAR-NOS!!!!
El casament va ser emotiu i divertit alhora, i les dues coses no haurien estat possibles sense la vostra presència, ajuda i suport.
Moltes gràcies també per les contribucions pel viatge que ens heu fet arribar: menjarem molta pasta i beurem molts expressos a la vostra salut!
Si pengeu les fotos a internet (Flickr, Picasa o similars), ja ens fareu arribar l’adreça. Crec que es van fer prou fotos per muntar uns quants àlbums...
Marxem a Venècia el dimecres molt relaxats i contents. Us explicarem les nostres aventures en tornar!
Fins aviat!
Steve i Rosa
25 May 2009
24 May 2009
The benefit of having great family and friends
It's a little before midday, and I've only recently got up. I feel like I have a bit of jet lag - it's been a while since I stayed up so late :-) We got to bed a little before 4am, then of course I couldn't sleep. My head was buzzing with the event of the day, and I realised how much of that was down to the family and friends that attended our wedding celebration. Of course it was OUR day, and I have to say I rather liked being centre of attention....it doesn't happen very often. But the day would not have gone so brilliantly had you not been there, or shared in our enjoyment.
You're all wonderful, and thank you so much for your kind words, appreciation and gifts. It's a day that we shall never forget.
I think I like most Gareth (from 4 Weddings and a Funeral) observation that Marriage is a way out of an embarrassing pause in conversation. "People spend time together and then they run out of things to say. They get married, then they have something to talk about for the rest of their lives". The definitive ice breaker!
Enjoy Barcelona, travel safely and see you all again soon.
With much love and best wishes....
You're all wonderful, and thank you so much for your kind words, appreciation and gifts. It's a day that we shall never forget.
I think I like most Gareth (from 4 Weddings and a Funeral) observation that Marriage is a way out of an embarrassing pause in conversation. "People spend time together and then they run out of things to say. They get married, then they have something to talk about for the rest of their lives". The definitive ice breaker!
Enjoy Barcelona, travel safely and see you all again soon.
With much love and best wishes....
16 May 2009
Logística, o com arribar al casament i tornar...
Aixó és el que recomanem:
-Per arribar a La Mercè: recomanem, a ser possible, que hi aneu en taxi o transport públic(Metro: Drassanes o Jaume I. Bus: 14, 59...). Si veniu en cotxe, l'aparcament està molt difícil al carrer. Hi ha un parking municipal al Moll de la Fusta, i tres de petits al llarg de C/Ample-Josep Anselm Clavé. Nota: si voleu un mapa en pdf, aviseu i us l'enviem.
-De La Mercè al Restaurant: Posarem un autobus entre un lloc i l'altre. Si aneu en cotxe, Google maps recomana aixó. El Xalet no té parking propi, però en general a Montjuic s'aparca molt bé. Localització del Xalet, segons Sant Google maps. La direcció oficial és Av. Miramar 31 (la seva web), i per entendren's, és entre la Fundació Miró i les Piscines Olímpiques (les de salts, no les Picornell).
-Del restaurant a casa: pels que volgueu un taxi, no patiu, aneu a la sortida (pujant les escales), i demaneu al porter que us en demani un. El restaurant hi està molt acostumat.
-Per arribar a La Mercè: recomanem, a ser possible, que hi aneu en taxi o transport públic(Metro: Drassanes o Jaume I. Bus: 14, 59...). Si veniu en cotxe, l'aparcament està molt difícil al carrer. Hi ha un parking municipal al Moll de la Fusta, i tres de petits al llarg de C/Ample-Josep Anselm Clavé. Nota: si voleu un mapa en pdf, aviseu i us l'enviem.
-De La Mercè al Restaurant: Posarem un autobus entre un lloc i l'altre. Si aneu en cotxe, Google maps recomana aixó. El Xalet no té parking propi, però en general a Montjuic s'aparca molt bé. Localització del Xalet, segons Sant Google maps. La direcció oficial és Av. Miramar 31 (la seva web), i per entendren's, és entre la Fundació Miró i les Piscines Olímpiques (les de salts, no les Picornell).
-Del restaurant a casa: pels que volgueu un taxi, no patiu, aneu a la sortida (pujant les escales), i demaneu al porter que us en demani un. El restaurant hi està molt acostumat.
Logistics, or how to get to the wedding and come back
That's what we recommend:
-From your hotel/home to La Mercè: get a taxi. Tell the taxi-driver to take you to Iglesia de la Merce. See the place on Google Maps. By the way, Google maps has things slightly wrong. Put it to satellite, the church is the building with the round cupola. In front there is a small square. It's probable the taxi leaves you in Passeig Colon (on the right, by the sea). Look for the cupola, that has a madonna statue on top... .
If the hotel does not book you a taxi, this company speaks English: Autotaxi Mercedes + 34 93 307 07 07. Yes, they run on Mercedes but they do not cost more.
-From La Mercè to El Xalet: we have a coach ready for you. It's Autocares Fuentes, but several of Rosa's friends will take care of you. This is roughly the route.
-From El Xalet to your hotel/home: Go to the main entrance of El Xalet (up the stairs), and tell the porter to call a taxi for you. El Xalet on Google maps: on satellite, it's the small brown building on the left, not the two blue squares on the right (that are the Olympic diving pools).
-From your hotel/home to La Mercè: get a taxi. Tell the taxi-driver to take you to Iglesia de la Merce. See the place on Google Maps. By the way, Google maps has things slightly wrong. Put it to satellite, the church is the building with the round cupola. In front there is a small square. It's probable the taxi leaves you in Passeig Colon (on the right, by the sea). Look for the cupola, that has a madonna statue on top... .
If the hotel does not book you a taxi, this company speaks English: Autotaxi Mercedes + 34 93 307 07 07. Yes, they run on Mercedes but they do not cost more.
-From La Mercè to El Xalet: we have a coach ready for you. It's Autocares Fuentes, but several of Rosa's friends will take care of you. This is roughly the route.
-From El Xalet to your hotel/home: Go to the main entrance of El Xalet (up the stairs), and tell the porter to call a taxi for you. El Xalet on Google maps: on satellite, it's the small brown building on the left, not the two blue squares on the right (that are the Olympic diving pools).
12 Apr 2009
About eating
Previous post was about drinking, this one will have some general indications about eating.
Rule 1: never, ever, eat at the Ramblas (this advice extends to drinking there, too). By the Ramblas we mean the boulevard between Plaza Catalunya and the sea, the other Rambla, Rambla Catalunya is, on the contrary, recommended. If you eat/drink there (on Las Ramblas) you will be swindled. If you just walk some meters inside any street each side of Las Ramblas, you'll find much better places. So, go on, be daring - eat well and still have some money in your pocket.
Rule 2: never eat in a restaurant that has to fish for customers in the street, however sweetly they talk to you. Never eat a paella in a restaurant that has a "palleador" sign at the front. In general, restaurants with pictures of the food are for tourists. And as a general rule (with some exceptions) good tapas restaurants never have the word "tapa" in the name (avoid Taller de tapas and similars).
Rule 3: Follow recommendations from your guidebook, in general they are good, and the ones in LonelyPlanet excellent. If the guide recommends to book, it's better to book in advance. It is also advisable to book for Friday and Saturday night. Ask your hotel, they'll be delighted to help. If you are in the street, check if the restaurant has local customers. If it has only tourists, beware. This advice is problematic because... (see next rule).
Rule 4: Spanish crazy eating timetables. Breakfast is from 8-10 (reasonable), but lunch is from 2-4 pm (crazy) and dinner from 9pm, a good hour being 10pm or even later. So, a restaurant is good if full by 3 and 10 pm, not earlier. Also bear in mind that according to Spanish law, restaurants must close one day to give personnel a rest. Many choose either Monday or Sunday, because with locals these are the weakest days for eating out.
Rule 5: Some local specialties that can lead to culture shock... or not
Rule 7: tipping is a reward for good service, because service is always included. Usually the change or some euro coins will be ok. With extremely good service, go for 10%. If the service is extremely bad, local people make an statement and leave nothing. Up to you! Also it is uncommon to tip taxi drivers.
Rule 8: if you want names and directions, email us. It's difficult to make a short selection here.
Rule 1: never, ever, eat at the Ramblas (this advice extends to drinking there, too). By the Ramblas we mean the boulevard between Plaza Catalunya and the sea, the other Rambla, Rambla Catalunya is, on the contrary, recommended. If you eat/drink there (on Las Ramblas) you will be swindled. If you just walk some meters inside any street each side of Las Ramblas, you'll find much better places. So, go on, be daring - eat well and still have some money in your pocket.
Rule 2: never eat in a restaurant that has to fish for customers in the street, however sweetly they talk to you. Never eat a paella in a restaurant that has a "palleador" sign at the front. In general, restaurants with pictures of the food are for tourists. And as a general rule (with some exceptions) good tapas restaurants never have the word "tapa" in the name (avoid Taller de tapas and similars).
Rule 3: Follow recommendations from your guidebook, in general they are good, and the ones in LonelyPlanet excellent. If the guide recommends to book, it's better to book in advance. It is also advisable to book for Friday and Saturday night. Ask your hotel, they'll be delighted to help. If you are in the street, check if the restaurant has local customers. If it has only tourists, beware. This advice is problematic because... (see next rule).
Rule 4: Spanish crazy eating timetables. Breakfast is from 8-10 (reasonable), but lunch is from 2-4 pm (crazy) and dinner from 9pm, a good hour being 10pm or even later. So, a restaurant is good if full by 3 and 10 pm, not earlier. Also bear in mind that according to Spanish law, restaurants must close one day to give personnel a rest. Many choose either Monday or Sunday, because with locals these are the weakest days for eating out.
Rule 5: Some local specialties that can lead to culture shock... or not
- Salads can be served without dressing, in this case, use the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper that will be present in every table.
- Spain is a country of compulsive fish-eaters. Many species will be unknown to you, if you are unsure, stick to known ones. Local curiosities will be boquerones en vinagre (marinated anchovies), pescadito frito (usually you can eat it whole, spine and head included)... In question of shell-fish, it's even worse (or better, depending on your taste).
- Cod (bacalao), unless advertized as "fresco" (fresh), will be dried, salted and dessalted before cooking. That was necessary before fridges, but now is done just for the taste. It is considered better than the fresh version, as jamon is better than pork chops, but it is a acquired taste. Sometimes is not even cooked, like in Esqueixada (marinated cod salad) or when served in carpaccio.
- Vegetables are plentiful and very good, but Spain is not vegetarian-friendly, and vegan even less. Even in "vegetable" dishes there can be some jamon, or the base for a vegetable soup can be a meat stock.
- Fresh fruit is excelent, but not common as a desert in restaurants, excepting in the form of macedonia (fruit salad). But you can buy it in any grocery or market.
- We have a penchant for infanticide: we like veal, baby goat, baby lamb and even baby squid.
- The casqueria (offal) is still very popular and even making a comeback. Higado encebollado (liver with onions), callos (tripe in sauce), pies de cerdo (pig trotters), carrillera or galta (cheek)...
- Embutidos (sausages, dried or not) are quintessentially Spanish. Sometimes you can ask for "tablas", of cheeses, embutidos and jamon. Large dishes that are meant to be shared.
- Contrary to stereotype, garlic is not widespread. Olive oil, onion and tomato are the real base of local cooking.
Rule 7: tipping is a reward for good service, because service is always included. Usually the change or some euro coins will be ok. With extremely good service, go for 10%. If the service is extremely bad, local people make an statement and leave nothing. Up to you! Also it is uncommon to tip taxi drivers.
Rule 8: if you want names and directions, email us. It's difficult to make a short selection here.
What to drink in Barcelona (including the healthy options)
A little bit of cultural data is never wrong...
Coffee
First warning: the Spanish believe that, in coffee, they are only second to the Italians. So, prepare for very strong coffee and a general disliking of Starbucks. Every bar or restaurant in Barcelona, however humble, will have an expresso machine and will serve you excellent coffee. Some slang:
The universal coke (ask for coca cola), schweppes, soda, etc are available everywhere. But there are some local specialities, some of them not always liked by the foreigners:
Spanish beers are very good, typically a little bit stronger than British ones, and always served chilled. In fact, the idea of a warm beer is a joke here. Una canya is a half pint, and the popular local brands are Damm, Estrella, Mahou... Coronita or Sol, Mexican beers, are also very popular, but regarded as "for girls". In general the choice of beers will be quite limited, except in some bars.
A clara, will be the local equivalent of a shandy. It's very popular in summer to have one in a terrace, with some olives and crisps.
Wines
Spain is a land of wines, and if you will check in your luggage, it's the perfect souvenir. In restaurants, the price of wine will not be as inflated as in British ones, so enjoy! Wine bars where you can taste them by the cup are increasingly popular. We encourage you to search beyond the usual Riojas (however good). Some very big and good DO (Denominacion de origen) are Ribera del Duero, Penedes, Somontano or Priorat. Some very small DO are emerging, with great success: Montsant, Costers del Segre, Jumilla, Toro, Albarinho, Emporda, Campo de Borja, etc, etc. Lately the dessert wines are making a comeback and good reataurants will have a selection by the glass in their cartas.
Liquors
As with wines, liquor prices are very good because of lower taxes. This is reflected in the cocktails. If you ask for a gin tonic, the waiter will pour down the gin until you say "stop", or nearly. So be careful.
Local liquors are anis (local version of ouzo or Marie Brizard, but stronger) or orujo (firewater).
Happy drinking!
PS: We will have "free bar" at the wedding reception.
Coffee
First warning: the Spanish believe that, in coffee, they are only second to the Italians. So, prepare for very strong coffee and a general disliking of Starbucks. Every bar or restaurant in Barcelona, however humble, will have an expresso machine and will serve you excellent coffee. Some slang:
- Cafe solo (or just solo): very strong expresso, served in a very little cup.
- Cafe americano: the same that above, but with more water, generally looked down by the locals.
- Cortado: literally, "cut coffee", alike to a macchiato with more milk. Served in a slightly bigger cup or a very small glass.
- Con leche: like to a cafe latte, served in a bigger cup, but always smaller than the Starbucks or Costa Coffee equivalents. Warning: while any kind of coffee will be served all day long, "con leche" is considered a breakfast coffee, it's unlikely to be drunk after midday, and asking for one after dinner is the mark of the "guiri" (the Northern European tourist).
- Cafe con hielo (pronounced "yellow"): perhaps it will be a little early for it, it's a typical summer coffee. If you ask for it, they will serve you a "solo" and a glass with icecubes. The idea it that you put sugar in the coffee, and pour it over the icecubs, drink quick before the ice melts...
- Descafeinado: decaf, do not be ashamed to ask. Spanish coffee is strong, and after 6pm decaf is recommended to people who tend to sleep light. You can be greeted with the question "de maquina o de sobre", so either machine decaf (recommended) or nescafe (yuk!)
- Carajillo: this one was typical of old gentlemen, but I am told it is making a comeback. It is just a solo with a shot of strong liquor, brandy or rhum being the favourites.
The universal coke (ask for coca cola), schweppes, soda, etc are available everywhere. But there are some local specialities, some of them not always liked by the foreigners:
- Cacaolat: cocoa drink, served hot in winter and cold in summer. Do not mistake it for the chocolate a la taza or deshecho, a hot chocolate cream/drink that is a dessert in its own right (It's like the chocolate sauce you add to ice cream)
- Granizado: local version of granita or slush puppy, but without the childish implications. If you see in a bar, on the counter, a machine that moves ice and a yellowish drink, you can ask for a granizado de limon (other flavours are orange, or even coffee). Quintessential summer favourite, it's perfect in a very hot day.
- Orchata: very sweet vegetal milk that foreign people tend not to appreciate, but you can have a try...
Spanish beers are very good, typically a little bit stronger than British ones, and always served chilled. In fact, the idea of a warm beer is a joke here. Una canya is a half pint, and the popular local brands are Damm, Estrella, Mahou... Coronita or Sol, Mexican beers, are also very popular, but regarded as "for girls". In general the choice of beers will be quite limited, except in some bars.
A clara, will be the local equivalent of a shandy. It's very popular in summer to have one in a terrace, with some olives and crisps.
Wines
Spain is a land of wines, and if you will check in your luggage, it's the perfect souvenir. In restaurants, the price of wine will not be as inflated as in British ones, so enjoy! Wine bars where you can taste them by the cup are increasingly popular. We encourage you to search beyond the usual Riojas (however good). Some very big and good DO (Denominacion de origen) are Ribera del Duero, Penedes, Somontano or Priorat. Some very small DO are emerging, with great success: Montsant, Costers del Segre, Jumilla, Toro, Albarinho, Emporda, Campo de Borja, etc, etc. Lately the dessert wines are making a comeback and good reataurants will have a selection by the glass in their cartas.
Liquors
As with wines, liquor prices are very good because of lower taxes. This is reflected in the cocktails. If you ask for a gin tonic, the waiter will pour down the gin until you say "stop", or nearly. So be careful.
Local liquors are anis (local version of ouzo or Marie Brizard, but stronger) or orujo (firewater).
Happy drinking!
PS: We will have "free bar" at the wedding reception.
5 Apr 2009
Instructions for singles - Avís per solters/es
We remind our singles friends that boyfriends, girlfriends, partners, "that special friend", and significant others are welcome to the wedding. We only need to know in advance.
Recordem als solters/es convidats, que xicots, xicotes, amics especials i ligues amb futur estan plenament convidats al casament. Només necessitem que ens ho aviseu.
Recordem als solters/es convidats, que xicots, xicotes, amics especials i ligues amb futur estan plenament convidats al casament. Només necessitem que ens ho aviseu.
Llista de noces: contribucions per a la lluna de mel
Com moltes parelles que es casen, ejem, una mica tard, l'Steve i jo ens trobem que no necessitem una llista de noces. No només ho tenim tot, si no que en certs apartats, ho tenim per triplicat: el que hi ha a Av. Sarrià, el que jo tinc a Mas Casanoves, i el que té l'Steve a Londres.
Així doncs, proposem que feu una contribució per a la nostra lluna de mel. Podeu veure fotos dels llocs on estarem al post en anglès just abans d'aquest, no cal repetir-les. Anirem a Venècia i zona del Veneto, i l'hem triat per ser un raconet d'Europa que ens sembla especialment romàntic i que no he visitat des dels 18 (jo) o no ha visitat mai (l'Steve).
De fet vam descartar rapidament altres opcions de lluna de mel. Primer el viatge exòtic, perquè voliem que fos relaxat. I si te'n vas, posem, a la Xina, vols veure-ho tot perquè potser no hi tornaràs mai. En canvi, Itàlia és aquí al costat, i si no podem veure un monument perquè ens ve més de gust prendre un expresso en una terrassa, doncs no passa res perquè hi podem tornar. I en segón lloc, també vam descartar el "todo incluido" o creuer perquè... ens semblava avorrit. Quan vam estara Egipte, quatre dies de creuer pel Nil i ja ens pujàvem per les parets, i aixó que alternàvem amb visites... No estem fets per fer de llagardaixos en una tumbona moltes hores seguides...
Així doncs farem 5 nits a Venècia (lloguem un apartament), 3 nits a Vicenza (per visitar la zona) i 3 més al llac de Garda (a veure natura).
I per últim, el compte on podeu fer la contribució es:
Rosa Montanya Lacambra: La Caixa 2100-0015-66-0102928903
(el compte de l'Steve que consta a l'altre post és per als convidats anglesos, per evitar enutjoses comissions bancàries).
Així doncs, proposem que feu una contribució per a la nostra lluna de mel. Podeu veure fotos dels llocs on estarem al post en anglès just abans d'aquest, no cal repetir-les. Anirem a Venècia i zona del Veneto, i l'hem triat per ser un raconet d'Europa que ens sembla especialment romàntic i que no he visitat des dels 18 (jo) o no ha visitat mai (l'Steve).
De fet vam descartar rapidament altres opcions de lluna de mel. Primer el viatge exòtic, perquè voliem que fos relaxat. I si te'n vas, posem, a la Xina, vols veure-ho tot perquè potser no hi tornaràs mai. En canvi, Itàlia és aquí al costat, i si no podem veure un monument perquè ens ve més de gust prendre un expresso en una terrassa, doncs no passa res perquè hi podem tornar. I en segón lloc, també vam descartar el "todo incluido" o creuer perquè... ens semblava avorrit. Quan vam estara Egipte, quatre dies de creuer pel Nil i ja ens pujàvem per les parets, i aixó que alternàvem amb visites... No estem fets per fer de llagardaixos en una tumbona moltes hores seguides...
Així doncs farem 5 nits a Venècia (lloguem un apartament), 3 nits a Vicenza (per visitar la zona) i 3 més al llac de Garda (a veure natura).
I per últim, el compte on podeu fer la contribució es:
Rosa Montanya Lacambra: La Caixa 2100-0015-66-0102928903
(el compte de l'Steve que consta a l'altre post és per als convidats anglesos, per evitar enutjoses comissions bancàries).
Our Wedding List: Contributions to our Honeymoon
As emailed to some of you, we've thought long and hard about wedding gifts...and we've decided the best gift of all for us would be a contribution to our honeymoon.We're heading off to Venice for 5 nights on the Wednesday following the wedding. We've booked the apartment Doge overlooking the Grand Canal. It's about a 10 minute walk from St Marks Square so close enough but also far enough away to be in the quiet zone. Apartments rentals are as common in Venice as in Barcelona it seems, with many large villas converted into studios and flats for weekly or monthly rental. It also gives us the flexibility for getting up, eating etc that we've found we don't have in hotels....and after all....it is our honeymoon :o)
One the 6th day we're hiring a car and heading West to Vicenza for 3 nights. We've picked out hotel Villa Tacchi, a wonderful 17th Century Villa about 10Km outside of Vicenza in the village of Gazzo Padovano.
We'll then have a further 3 nights at Sirmione on Lake Garda.....we'll update this blog when we've selected a hotel there.
We'll be returning to Barcelona on Sunday 7th June. Italy is a beautiful country, and this is an especially lovely area so we're delighted to be spending quality time here.
In order to avoid those nasty bank charges, we're offering both UK and Spanish accounts to transfer money, should you wish to make an electronic transfer before the wedding.
For those of you here in Spain:
Maria Rosa Montanya Lacambra: La Caixa 2100-0015-66-0102928903
For the UK:
Stephen James Blood: First Direct Sort Code: 40-47-73 Acc: 60163937
Many thanks from us both, and look forward to seeing you very soon.
24 Feb 2009
Wedding traditions: Is a Spanish wedding very different from a British one?
In general: no.
This said, there are small details that differ.
Ceremony
In a Spanish wedding the best man position just does not exist. After the bride and the groom, the most important people are the father of the bride, and… the mother of the groom. The groom will enter the church first, lead (so to speak) by his really proud mother. Afterwards, the bride will enter lead by her equally proud father. The rings will be usually brought by a small child on a cute little cushion (the rings are always laced to the cushion just in case ;D). The friends of the couple will be asked to act as witnesses, but that’s it.
What we will do: well, a mix. Steve will enter on his proud mommy`s arm, but his best friend Colin will act as best man. There is a Catalan tradition according to which a friend of the groom should go to the bride’s place before the ceremony and give her the bouquet while reciting a poem. We are still pondering if we want to subject Colin to that….
Venue
In a Spanish wedding there are no speeches, but quite a lot of cheers to the happy couple, the bride, the groom, and the mothers of both (Mediterranean family values, you know). There is no throwing of the bouquet at all (so anxious single girls please do not be disappointed). What we do is different: the bouquet AND the small figurine of bride and groom that tops the wedding cake are going to be given, with much fanfare and joking, to friends of the bride and groom. The friends should be either a couple or a single girl, in the first case the wish is for a happy wedding and in the second for a cute boyfriend. The dinner will be followed by a party, usually beginning with a waltz or similar, and ending with kitsch songs.
What we will do: Again, a mix. There will be speeches. From my brother (my father has delegated the honour to him), and from Colin, who will have the opportunity to take revenge on Steve (who was best man on Colin’s wedding two years ago). And we will not waltz, this having nothing to do with traditions but with our complete inability to dance.
Dress code
Some of you have asked me about the dress code. Well, Spanish people like to dress up for weddings, specially the ladies. For an evening wedding as ours, either longish nightish dress or nice summer dress would be ok. A shawl is really popular for either decently covering in the church or warm up during the night. No tailed jacket required for the boys. It’s not usual to wear hats or pamelas, but I think my friends expect the British to wear them, so feel free.
As for weather conditions, in late May temperatures in Barcelona usually range between a minimum around 15, and a maximum around 20-25 (Celsius), warm spring for locals and hot summer for British. There is some risk of showers. That’s the median, of course, for instance last year May was rainy and fresh, and other years it has been scorching hot.
I link to some websites belonging to wedding professional photographers, so you have an idea of what people dress (these are real weddings):
http://www.insitufotografia.com/
Go to “album de fotos”, so you can see a complete wedding album.http://www.varicolorfotografia.com/
http://www.roafotograf.com/fla/entrada.html
Go to “Especial bodas”, and then “album”
http://2punt8reportatges.com/
Rosa
This said, there are small details that differ.
Ceremony
In a Spanish wedding the best man position just does not exist. After the bride and the groom, the most important people are the father of the bride, and… the mother of the groom. The groom will enter the church first, lead (so to speak) by his really proud mother. Afterwards, the bride will enter lead by her equally proud father. The rings will be usually brought by a small child on a cute little cushion (the rings are always laced to the cushion just in case ;D). The friends of the couple will be asked to act as witnesses, but that’s it.
What we will do: well, a mix. Steve will enter on his proud mommy`s arm, but his best friend Colin will act as best man. There is a Catalan tradition according to which a friend of the groom should go to the bride’s place before the ceremony and give her the bouquet while reciting a poem. We are still pondering if we want to subject Colin to that….
Venue
In a Spanish wedding there are no speeches, but quite a lot of cheers to the happy couple, the bride, the groom, and the mothers of both (Mediterranean family values, you know). There is no throwing of the bouquet at all (so anxious single girls please do not be disappointed). What we do is different: the bouquet AND the small figurine of bride and groom that tops the wedding cake are going to be given, with much fanfare and joking, to friends of the bride and groom. The friends should be either a couple or a single girl, in the first case the wish is for a happy wedding and in the second for a cute boyfriend. The dinner will be followed by a party, usually beginning with a waltz or similar, and ending with kitsch songs.
What we will do: Again, a mix. There will be speeches. From my brother (my father has delegated the honour to him), and from Colin, who will have the opportunity to take revenge on Steve (who was best man on Colin’s wedding two years ago). And we will not waltz, this having nothing to do with traditions but with our complete inability to dance.
Dress code
Some of you have asked me about the dress code. Well, Spanish people like to dress up for weddings, specially the ladies. For an evening wedding as ours, either longish nightish dress or nice summer dress would be ok. A shawl is really popular for either decently covering in the church or warm up during the night. No tailed jacket required for the boys. It’s not usual to wear hats or pamelas, but I think my friends expect the British to wear them, so feel free.
As for weather conditions, in late May temperatures in Barcelona usually range between a minimum around 15, and a maximum around 20-25 (Celsius), warm spring for locals and hot summer for British. There is some risk of showers. That’s the median, of course, for instance last year May was rainy and fresh, and other years it has been scorching hot.
I link to some websites belonging to wedding professional photographers, so you have an idea of what people dress (these are real weddings):
http://www.insitufotografia.com/
Go to “album de fotos”, so you can see a complete wedding album.http://www.varicolorfotografia.com/
http://www.roafotograf.com/fla/entrada.html
Go to “Especial bodas”, and then “album”
http://2punt8reportatges.com/
Rosa
The reception menu...
Last week we had the first setback in our wedding planning. Our invitations will be delayed because the printing office “discovered” (after three weeks) that the model we had chosen is out of stock. Grrrrr. Well, let’s begin again…
But on the other side, the wedding menu is quite chosen. In the end of March we’ll have a test dinner and we’ll adjust some details, but for the moment it’s like this:
Cocktail
[Served on the restaurant terraces overlooking the city]
Cold snacks
-Bellota Spanish ham (jamon)
-Small cold cream and soups
-Cheese selection
-Tomato and fish tartalettes
-Quince and anchovies kebabs
Hot snacks
-Scallop and pear toasts
-Courgette and monkfish kebabs
-Black pudding and apple cocktail
-Cod and pepper croquettes
-Mini pork medallion with foie cream
“Barra libre” of soft drinks, beers, wine, cavas and cocktails
Dinner
[Served inside]
Salad of langoustines and fruit
Duck confit, with orange cream and strawberries
Lemon or raspberry sherbet
Wedding cake: chocolate sacher
Wine list
To be decided, but we are thinking a selection of Spanish wines: Red from Somontano or Ribera del Duero, white from Costers del Segre or Penedes, and Cava.
So, any allergy or disliking, please tell us as soon as possible. The restaurant does not mind serving something different, as long as they know in advance.
But on the other side, the wedding menu is quite chosen. In the end of March we’ll have a test dinner and we’ll adjust some details, but for the moment it’s like this:
Cocktail
[Served on the restaurant terraces overlooking the city]
Cold snacks
-Bellota Spanish ham (jamon)
-Small cold cream and soups
-Cheese selection
-Tomato and fish tartalettes
-Quince and anchovies kebabs
Hot snacks
-Scallop and pear toasts
-Courgette and monkfish kebabs
-Black pudding and apple cocktail
-Cod and pepper croquettes
-Mini pork medallion with foie cream
“Barra libre” of soft drinks, beers, wine, cavas and cocktails
Dinner
[Served inside]
Salad of langoustines and fruit
Duck confit, with orange cream and strawberries
Lemon or raspberry sherbet
Wedding cake: chocolate sacher
Wine list
To be decided, but we are thinking a selection of Spanish wines: Red from Somontano or Ribera del Duero, white from Costers del Segre or Penedes, and Cava.
So, any allergy or disliking, please tell us as soon as possible. The restaurant does not mind serving something different, as long as they know in advance.
23 Feb 2009
The Dinner Venue
Picture if you will a warm summer evening, perhaps a little bit of a breeze but not too much to chill, a glass of cava and a crepe or two. There's some light music in the background, much chatter in different languages, and plenty of laughter. It's the evening of 23rd May and you're on the terrace of El Xalet de Monjuic, with stunning views over Barcelona. As the light fades, the cathedral at Tibidabo emits its golden charm, the (yet) unfinished Sagrada Familia appears between the cranes, and El Torre Agba (Barcelona's Gerkin) turns a hundred different colours as the sun goes down. This is the venue for dinner, and while we'll be inside seated on the revolving floor, the views will be just as spectacular from the full height class windows of the lower salon.
They say pictures speak a thousand words, so here goes......
A brief glimpse of what El Novio will be wearing
Last Saturday, Rosa and I went window shopping for my wedding attire. Avenida Diagonal is full of style and panache, but that doesn't really describe me. I took one look at the "plastic" suit in c/Balmes and we walked on. After a couple of more semi-successful viewing in other mens stores, and a cortado and a croissant at Mauri in Rambla Catalunya, we reached Señor in Passeig de Gracia.....and left about 40 minutes later having paid for a suit, tie, shirt, waistcote......well he was an exceeding good salesman, and it is at least one more thing to cross off the "to do" list.
21 Feb 2009
Sobre el menu
Bé, sembla que ja tenim força triat el menu. Vam passar pel Xalet per parlar amb l'encarregat i vam aprofitar per tastar tot el que sortis a la carta remotament similar al menu que ens feia gracia. Ens falten els aperitius, ja ho farem al tast oficial d'aquí un més aprox.
De moment la cosa aniria així
Aperitius
Freds
Pernil d'aglà
Iceberg de "xupitos" (crema de mango, de tomàquet verd, etc.)
Cristalls amb assortit de formatges
Mini tartaletes de seitons amb pasta de tomaquet
Brotxetes de codonyat amb anxoes
Calents
Cruixent de vieires amb pera confitada
Mini brotxetes de carbassó i rap amb taronja
Palets de poma verda i botifarra
Croquetes cremoses de bacallà amb pebrot escalibat
Mini llomillets amb crema de foie
Begudes: Barra lliure
Sopar
Amanida de llagostins amb purès dolços i flors
Confit d'ànec amb crema de taronja i cubs de maduixa
Sorbet de llima
Pastís: Sacher de xocolata
Bodega
Hem d'acabar de decidir, però pinta que posarem un Somontano negre, un Costers del Segre blanc i un cava.
Bé, qualsevol al·lèrgia o intolerància alimentària (física o psicològica) aviseu!!
De moment la cosa aniria així
Aperitius
Freds
Pernil d'aglà
Iceberg de "xupitos" (crema de mango, de tomàquet verd, etc.)
Cristalls amb assortit de formatges
Mini tartaletes de seitons amb pasta de tomaquet
Brotxetes de codonyat amb anxoes
Calents
Cruixent de vieires amb pera confitada
Mini brotxetes de carbassó i rap amb taronja
Palets de poma verda i botifarra
Croquetes cremoses de bacallà amb pebrot escalibat
Mini llomillets amb crema de foie
Begudes: Barra lliure
Sopar
Amanida de llagostins amb purès dolços i flors
Confit d'ànec amb crema de taronja i cubs de maduixa
Sorbet de llima
Pastís: Sacher de xocolata
Bodega
Hem d'acabar de decidir, però pinta que posarem un Somontano negre, un Costers del Segre blanc i un cava.
Bé, qualsevol al·lèrgia o intolerància alimentària (física o psicològica) aviseu!!
15 Feb 2009
A little more on Montjuic
As told in the previous post, the wedding venue is going to be in a restaurant in Montjuic. Montjuic is a rocky hill overlooking Barcelona, specially the seafront, and one of the best viewpoints for the city (the other being probably Tibidabo hill on the north). If you go down Las Ramblas until Colon, you’ll see the hill emerging abruptly on the right. The name probably derives from “mount of the jews”, because in medieval times the Jewish cementery was located there. The oldest construction is the hilltop Castle, which has the dubious honor of having been used more for attacking the city, than for defending it. The castle ramparts are a good viewpoint, but apart from that, it’s quite ugly. The castle excepted, the hill was quite unused until the early XX century. Two dates mark the development of the hill: The 1929 International Exhibition, and the 1992 Olympics. From 1929 are Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the Magic Fountains, the Pueblo Español, and the layout of several gardens. From 1992 are the sport installations, and the development of even more gardens. So in the XX century, Montjuic went from a forest and bushy hill, into a place for sport complexes, museums and public parks. For instance El Xalet restaurant is located between the Miro Foundation Museum and the Olympic swimming pools.
For those of you that are planning a nice holiday on the occasion of our wedding, Montjuic is worth a look. Apart from the view and a little relaxation in the gardens, the place is heaven for the culture vultures. Begin with Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), on the big mammoth pastiche building that presides Plaza de España. MNAC will appeal to the Medieval lovers, because it has the best collection in Europe of medieval frescoes. On the other extreme, the Miro Foundation Museum, will appeal to the lovers of contemporary art, the Foundation also has a very good restaurant (that follows the Museum timetable).
For more eccentric tourism, you have the kitsch Pueblo Español. Built in 1929, it’s a pastiche “typical Spanish town”. . But it’s been rehabilitated, and now boasts also craftsman shops, exhibition halls, and restaurants.
And for the lovers of the so called “dark tourism”, the Cementery of Montjuich will be a must. And no, these are not very small apartments, even if the location is incredible good ….
1 Feb 2009
Hola Chicos!
Hopefully by now your travel plans are beginning to take as much shape as our wedding plans. A few of you have been in touch regarding hotels and where to stay.
The church (see blog below) is in the old town, in a square just behind Passeig de Colom, which runs along the seafront. You can see on Googlemaps below that there's a small street running between the square and P. de Colom called "Carrer de Boltres". This would be an easy entry and exist point to get to the church, and the taxi drivers will know it.
View Larger Map
We can confirm the venue for dinner is Montjuic El Xalet (pronounced Chalet) in the gardens of the Parc Montjuic. It's a lovely dinner venue with fantastic views of Barcelona. We probably won't sit down to dinner until about 9pm so do have lunch before hand, which you can take at a very Spanish hour of around 2pm. On arrival at El Xalet we will begin with aperitifs on the terrace with drinks, followed by dinner from 9pm with a 3 course meal and of course the wedding cake.
We're planning on arranging for a coach to take guests from the church to the restaurant, and the restaurant will be able to arrange taxis for the return journey. I recently attended a business dinner there. The standard of English is excellent, even at the front door where despite me conversing in Spanish, the doorman insisited on speaking to me in English!
We're aware that Friday 22nd is the last day of school for many before the mid term break. I noticed that Easyjet is actually more expensive than flying with BA. Flights from London Heathrow can still be had for around £100 return, while Easyjet is around £100 just for the outbound leg on the Friday. If you can travel earlier than Friday, the prices are better and of course you'll have extra time here!
That May weekend will likely be very busy with tourists, and unfortunately the pickpockets will be out like flies. Please be on your guard at all times. They're usually Eastern European, and work in groups, women and well as men....and of all ages. It's common for a distraction to be created while the partner rifles through your pockets or bags. They're incredibly quick so if you do see anyone getting near to you, and you sense the behaviour is abnormal, its because it is. If you use the Metro or the bus wheh it's busy, move wallets from back pockets to front pockets, and you'll see people reverse their backpacks and wear them out in front. Las Ramblas is also a great venue for distractions, and it will be loaded with tourists.
There's an absolute ton of restaurants in Barcelona, and the further away from Las Ramblas, the better and cheaper they are. We'd strongly recommend NOT eating or drinking on Las Ramblas - it's a honey pot of tourists and always overpriced and actually not great food.
If you're stuck for hotels, and you want something a little bit different, give Anita a call as we're sure she'll have a few apartments for rent www.barcelonaflats.co.uk
The church (see blog below) is in the old town, in a square just behind Passeig de Colom, which runs along the seafront. You can see on Googlemaps below that there's a small street running between the square and P. de Colom called "Carrer de Boltres". This would be an easy entry and exist point to get to the church, and the taxi drivers will know it.
View Larger Map
We can confirm the venue for dinner is Montjuic El Xalet (pronounced Chalet) in the gardens of the Parc Montjuic. It's a lovely dinner venue with fantastic views of Barcelona. We probably won't sit down to dinner until about 9pm so do have lunch before hand, which you can take at a very Spanish hour of around 2pm. On arrival at El Xalet we will begin with aperitifs on the terrace with drinks, followed by dinner from 9pm with a 3 course meal and of course the wedding cake.
We're planning on arranging for a coach to take guests from the church to the restaurant, and the restaurant will be able to arrange taxis for the return journey. I recently attended a business dinner there. The standard of English is excellent, even at the front door where despite me conversing in Spanish, the doorman insisited on speaking to me in English!
We're aware that Friday 22nd is the last day of school for many before the mid term break. I noticed that Easyjet is actually more expensive than flying with BA. Flights from London Heathrow can still be had for around £100 return, while Easyjet is around £100 just for the outbound leg on the Friday. If you can travel earlier than Friday, the prices are better and of course you'll have extra time here!
That May weekend will likely be very busy with tourists, and unfortunately the pickpockets will be out like flies. Please be on your guard at all times. They're usually Eastern European, and work in groups, women and well as men....and of all ages. It's common for a distraction to be created while the partner rifles through your pockets or bags. They're incredibly quick so if you do see anyone getting near to you, and you sense the behaviour is abnormal, its because it is. If you use the Metro or the bus wheh it's busy, move wallets from back pockets to front pockets, and you'll see people reverse their backpacks and wear them out in front. Las Ramblas is also a great venue for distractions, and it will be loaded with tourists.
There's an absolute ton of restaurants in Barcelona, and the further away from Las Ramblas, the better and cheaper they are. We'd strongly recommend NOT eating or drinking on Las Ramblas - it's a honey pot of tourists and always overpriced and actually not great food.
If you're stuck for hotels, and you want something a little bit different, give Anita a call as we're sure she'll have a few apartments for rent www.barcelonaflats.co.uk
18 Jan 2009
A mode d'introducció...
Hola a tothom,
Si alguna cosa hem aprés els darrers mesos, es que preparar un casament no és fàcil... En algun moment hem estat temptats de presentar-nos al jutjat amb un parell de testimonis i acabar d'una vegada. Però ens feia molta il·lusió celebrar-ho amb tots vosaltres i aixó implica un fotimer de tràmits, encàrrecs, decisions i detalls. Es com una carrera d'obstacles, quan acabes amb un tema, en sorgeix un altre de manera inmediata.
Un parell d'exemples... una cosa tant anodina (en teoria) com triar les targes d'invitació implica la consulta d'uns cinc catàlegs gruixudets que et presenten des de la tarja més clàssica, a la més "modelna", des de la més seriosa a la més (suposadament) divertida. Per sort ens vam decidir ràpid i només vam consultar un establiment.
Un altre tema de jutjat de guàrdia és el vestit (de la núvia). Primer el volia no massa car, ja que racionalitzes alló de "es només per unes hores". I també volia que fos de línia clara i moderna. Vaig suposar, il·lusa de mí, que un vestit senzill de formes no seria dels més cars, però he descobert que en el món del disseny de moda "menys (roba) es més (preu)". Al final passes del "es només per unes hores" al "un dia es un dia", i et plegues a la tradició, la pressió social i, perquè no dir-ho, la il·lusió que et fa tot plegat...
També aprèns moltes coses mentre parles amb capellans, cuiners, modistes i fotògrafs. De fet, tu et cases per primer cop, i ells en canvi ja acumulen experiència. Així doncs reps un munt de dades i suggeriments que et cal assimilar. Un dels més curiosos va ser que la darrera moda dels casaments... era fer un blog. Bé, et venen el servei, però vam decidir fer-lo nosaltres mateixos. Potser no quedarà tant bonic i dissenyós, però esperem que us sigui útil.
El blog tindrà entrades en català i anglès. Les darreres seran més nombroses perquè els convidats britànics aniran més despistats i els calen més consells. Als catalans no cal que us expliquem on és Montjuïc, no? En tot cas esperem que la idea us agradi i us sigui útil. Qualsevol dubte o problema, ens ho dieu a rosaysteve@gmail.com o, encara millor, feu comentaris a les entrades del blog.
Nota: a la foto, nosaltres dos en un casament molt divertit però poc aprofitable en quant a consells, la cerimònica sij d'en Sandip i la Ranjeet, uns amics de l'Steve. Calia tapar-se el cap i ho vam fer conjuntats.
Si alguna cosa hem aprés els darrers mesos, es que preparar un casament no és fàcil... En algun moment hem estat temptats de presentar-nos al jutjat amb un parell de testimonis i acabar d'una vegada. Però ens feia molta il·lusió celebrar-ho amb tots vosaltres i aixó implica un fotimer de tràmits, encàrrecs, decisions i detalls. Es com una carrera d'obstacles, quan acabes amb un tema, en sorgeix un altre de manera inmediata.
Un parell d'exemples... una cosa tant anodina (en teoria) com triar les targes d'invitació implica la consulta d'uns cinc catàlegs gruixudets que et presenten des de la tarja més clàssica, a la més "modelna", des de la més seriosa a la més (suposadament) divertida. Per sort ens vam decidir ràpid i només vam consultar un establiment.
Un altre tema de jutjat de guàrdia és el vestit (de la núvia). Primer el volia no massa car, ja que racionalitzes alló de "es només per unes hores". I també volia que fos de línia clara i moderna. Vaig suposar, il·lusa de mí, que un vestit senzill de formes no seria dels més cars, però he descobert que en el món del disseny de moda "menys (roba) es més (preu)". Al final passes del "es només per unes hores" al "un dia es un dia", i et plegues a la tradició, la pressió social i, perquè no dir-ho, la il·lusió que et fa tot plegat...
També aprèns moltes coses mentre parles amb capellans, cuiners, modistes i fotògrafs. De fet, tu et cases per primer cop, i ells en canvi ja acumulen experiència. Així doncs reps un munt de dades i suggeriments que et cal assimilar. Un dels més curiosos va ser que la darrera moda dels casaments... era fer un blog. Bé, et venen el servei, però vam decidir fer-lo nosaltres mateixos. Potser no quedarà tant bonic i dissenyós, però esperem que us sigui útil.
El blog tindrà entrades en català i anglès. Les darreres seran més nombroses perquè els convidats britànics aniran més despistats i els calen més consells. Als catalans no cal que us expliquem on és Montjuïc, no? En tot cas esperem que la idea us agradi i us sigui útil. Qualsevol dubte o problema, ens ho dieu a rosaysteve@gmail.com o, encara millor, feu comentaris a les entrades del blog.
Nota: a la foto, nosaltres dos en un casament molt divertit però poc aprofitable en quant a consells, la cerimònica sij d'en Sandip i la Ranjeet, uns amics de l'Steve. Calia tapar-se el cap i ho vam fer conjuntats.
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