Brittany & Ryan's Story
'They are AMAZING!!! Thank you!'
Brittany, Ryan and 12 of their most beloved friends and family traveled all the way from the United States to Davos in Switzerland for the wedding of Brittany and Ryan. Brittany’s childhood dream had been to get married in Switzerland, like her grandparents did 72 years ago.
How Brittany's grandparents met
Just after World War II, in 1946, Brittany’s grandfather Harry was in the US army and stationed in Germany. When on leave he decided to go skiing in Davos and broke his leg while doing so. Ruth, Brittany’s Swiss grandmother was a volunteer nurse in the hospital where Harry was admitted. After checking Harry’s height on his chart (she wasn’t going to invest her time into a man shorter than herself ;) ), Ruth and Harry hit it off. They got to know each other in the time that Harry recovered but after 6 wonderful weeks together Harry was send back home to Michigan. This was so sudden that he didn’t even have time to say goodbye to Ruth. He had to inform her by writing a letter and the 2 started a correspondence. During this correspondence they decided to marry and next summer Harry was finally given leave to go back to Switzerland and marry his Ruth.
Getting ready
On the morning of Brittany’s own wedding, her mother gifted her half of the love letters that were send between her grandparents (the other half she had given to Brittany's brother who got married a couple years earlier) and explained to Brittany’s friends the reason why Brittany had wanted to get married in Davos. After the bride and groom were done getting ready they left for the church in which Ruth and Harry were married 72 years ago.
The ceremony
In the Frauenkirch on top of the Davos mountains, Brittany walked down the aisle on Adele’s "Make You Feel My Love" played by a pianist and violinist. The ceremony was led by two of the couple’s best friends and during a ring warming ceremony the musicians played "One Heart, One Soul" from "West Side Story" (a work by my favorite musical theatre composer and lyricist Sondheim, so it probably won't surprise you that I had to work hard not to tear up during this one!).
The reception
After a short photo shoot, everyone gathered at Walserhuus Sertig for cocktail hour. Ryan and Brittany made quite an entrance because Brittany entered wearing her grandmothers wedding dress. Although 72 years old, it fit Brittany like a glove. When cocktail hour was cut short by a huge rain shower, the most heartfelt speeches by family and friends were given. The day ended with chatter at the dinner table with their loved ones.
If you’re planning an intimate destination wedding or elopement in Europe and are looking for a photographer, get in touch!
Vendors
Wedding planner: Wedding Excellence Switzerland
Wedding dress: Justin Alexander with The Westwood Collection veil
2nd wedding dress: Brittany's grandmothers dress
Florist: Blumen Werke
Suit: Calvin Klein
Getting ready venue: Chalet Berghof Sertig, Davos
Ceremony venue: Frauenkirch, Davos, Switzerland
Reception venue: Walserhuus Sertig, Davos, Switzerland
Video: Story of Your Day
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