Schedule

Depart for London

6:00 pm

51-59 F

Leaving on a jetplane Norwegian Air UK Flight 7058 Depart MCO- 5:10pm Tue. Oct 15 Arrive London - 6:20am Wed. Oct 16

Arrival in London

6:00 am - 11:00 pm

51-59 F

London, England Day 2

6:00 am

Traditionally an Irish tradition, Jodi and Christopher’s elopement begins with an age-old custom known as a Handfasting Ceremony. Used throughout the United Kingdom over the centuries, it is literally the symbolic act of “tying the knot.” In fact, this is the origin of that phrase. The couple participating in the handfasting typically does so by a hearth or some other location deemed “sacred.” While there, they would bind their hands to represent that they are one. During the binding, the pair recites their vows to form their bond. If possible, Christopher and Jodi will add to this ceremony by performing their handfasting atop a blacksmith’s anvil. This was a common tradition as blacksmiths forged links and tempered metal, making them strong. This handfasting will leverage white cloth, and this practice will carry on throughout the rest of Christopher and Jodi’s week. With each new location, they will bind a new color to the cloth that represents a promise made that day.

Flight to Venice

Fri, Oct 18, 2019, 9:00 am - Sat, Oct 19, 2019, 12:15 am

British Airways BA8479 18 Oct 2019 09:05- 12:10 Marco Polo (Venice)

Venice, Italy - Mediterranean Cruise Begins

5:00 pm

56-64 F

First Blessing: May this couple be blessed with abundance, and be helpful to one another in all ways. There’s not much one needs to do in Venice to be romantic. However, beyond gondolas and dinner by the canals, the couple will partake in a few common traditions. It’s common practice for Italians to tie a ribbon across the doorway of a church to let others know a wedding is taking place. But Christopher and Jodi don't have a church, so their stateroom will have to do. They'll just up the ante with more decoration. Decorating the door too ought to help them find it again after late-night revelry. Beyond all this though, the groom will keep a piece of iron on him throughout the day to ward off evil spirits, while the bride will rip her veil (or a variant thereof) for good luck. If you believe in such superstitions of course. Handfasting: On this day, a beige cloth will be added to the handfasting weave as this represents flexibility, dependability, warmth, foundation, and security.

Zadar, Croatia

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

53-67 F

Second Blessing: May this couple be strong and complement one another. Croatia has several wonderful wedding traditions, not all of which are feasible. Forming a motorcade where the couple stops at EVERY family member’s house for drinks before the ceremony probably can’t happen, but what can is much simpler: The use of rosemary. Rosemary is considered a welcome gift to wedding guests, who use a branch as a corsage. Jodi and Christopher want participate in what they can, thus they’ll be visiting the Royal Vineyards for a taste of Dalmatian wine before hiking up the limestone slopes above Petrcane village. At the highest point, they'll leave sprigs of rosemary in the same manner one might carve a note into a tree. From the peak, the they'll also toast a shot that will likely be dreadful after such a walk. They’ll overcome it though, with the power of love. Handfasting: Today, the couple adds blue to their handfasting weave, symbolizing security, stability, and trust.

Kotor, Montenegro

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

56-66 F

Third Blessing: May this couple be blessed with prosperity and riches. Montenegro also has unique wedding traditions, though not all are easy to do. Allegedly, King Nikola I established a tradition of newlyweds planting an olive tree on their wedding day as a symbol of the marriage. Considering Jodi (who is wrong) hates olives, the couple probably won't be doing this. The groom loves them though, so he’ll still plant one when they get home. A general Balkan tradition is more feasible, where gilded crowns are exchanged between the bride and groom to represent their bond. The couple then walks thrice around an altar to symbolize the holy trinity, followed by drinking communal wine. To pay homage to this, Jodi and Christopher will exchange their “crowns” to wear out as they hike Kotor's overlooks. The bride will don a garland, and the groom a crown brooch. Handfasting: The colors added to the handfasting today are silver and violet: symbols of class, wealth, and creativity.

Day at Sea

2:00 am

Since there aren’t any [known] traditions for the lost city of Atlantis, today’s a free day. That isn’t to say the couple isn’t doing anything though. Echoing the Indian inspiration for this elopement trip, Christopher and Jodi will try their hand at the wedding tradition of Mehndi (commonly known as henna). For those that don’t know, this is a temporary tattoo of intricate design, drawn on the bride's feet and hands. The process is usually done before a wedding by the bride’s family, but Jodi will have to make due with just Christopher and hope his artistic skills aren’t rusty. The henna itself is associated with positive spirits and good luck too, and the longer it lasts the more it brings. As a fun fact, henna application is also a means of cooling nerve endings where applied. It acts as a means of mitigating tension before the wedding day. Seems like a positive spin on the notion of “cold feet.”

Rome, Italy

7:00 am - 7:00 pm

63-70F

Forth Blessing: May this couple be eternally happy. A fitting blessing while in the Eternal City. Yet for all the history of Rome, its oldest traditions are still elegant and beautiful. Jodi and Christopher won't be making changes to this one as it’s perfect as is. In ancient Rome, the couple joined their right hands, signifying the point at which they were legally married. The only words spoken were, “Ubi tu Gauis, ibi ego Gaia,” by the bride and, “Ubi tu Gaia, ibi ego Gaius,” by the groom. The words were spoken as a chant, and thus Christopher and Jodi will repeat these ancient vows to one another as they journey to each of Rome’s ancient wonders be it the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, or Pantheon. Loosely translated, the Latin vows mean, “When and where you go, then and there I go, your wife/husband.” Handfasting: Yellow is the color to be added this day to the handfasting cloth. Reflecting the Forth Blessing, yellow represents enthusiasm, opportunity, happiness, and positivity.

Florence & Pisa, Italy

7:00 am - 5:00 pm

60-67 degrees

Fifth Blessing: May this couple be blessed with a happy family life. Italy's the land of romance, food, and family. How fitting that this be the blessing for the final day here. While in Florence and Pisa, Jodi and Christopher will tour the birthplace of the Renaissance, viewing the art, architecture, and of course the Leaning Tower. Throughout the day, the couple will partake in their final Italian wedding tradition: Confetti. No, not bits of paper. Confetti are a candy-coated almonds that come in groups of five, representing health, prosperity, happiness, fertility, and longevity. Today, the couple eats their confetti as they consider the meanings they represent. Confetti are often given to friends too as part of a bomboniera gift. Jodi and Christopher are happy to share extras upon their return… assuming Christopher doesn't eat them all. Handfasting: For the Fifth Blessing, green is added to the handfasting cloth. Green commonly represents safety, harmony, balance, and family.

Marseille, France

7:00 am - 5:00 pm

61-68 F

Ah, the country of lovers. A perfect place to travel the lavender fields of nearby Luberon Village and stroll its cobblestone streets. There are several traditions to choose from too when it comes to French weddings. One consideration was the cutting a heart in a sheet and bursting through like football stars. Yes, that's something the bride and groom do at French receptions. Without a formal one though this wasn’t going to work. The spirit of a reception lives on though as this is a day of wine and champagne. Unfortunately, Jodi denied her groom the chance to perform a Sabrage, which is opening a champagne bottle with a saber. There is one last tradition too, but it doesn't actually occur today. Rather, it happens around 6 AM with a bowl of une soupe à l’oignon (French Onion soup) as a means to deal with the inevitable hangover. Handfasting: The penultimate color today is teal. This color, woven into the handfasting cloth, represents comfort, faith, and serenity.

Barcelona, Spain

6:45 am

Seventh Blessing: May this couple always be each other’s best friend. Alas the journey ends, but before returning home, Jodi and Christopher have one last tradition to partake in. The Las Arras. 13 coins are passed between the bride and groom to symbolize their sharing of their belongings in marriage. Why 13? For religious weddings, the number represents Christ and his 12 apostles. Another rendition is that the coins represent the 12 lunar cycles and the thirteenth, the couple’s honeymoon. When couples perform this ceremony, the coins are placed on an ornate tray. The groom then counts them out, pours them into the bride’s hands, and places a lavish box on top as a symbol of trust. The bride’s acceptance portrays her own trust along with her dedication. The coins are then put away with a final vow, “What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine.” Handfasting: The final color to be added to the handfasting cloth is red, the color of romance and passion, strength and compassion.

Flight Home

10:00 pm

Norwegian Air International Flight 2433 10:55pm Sun. Oct 27 Barcelona (BCN) 12:10am Mon. Oct 28 London (LGW) Norwegian Air UK Flight 7057 2:55pm Mon. Oct 28 London (LGW) 8:25pm Mon. Oct 28 Orlando, FL (MCO)

Arrive Home

8:30 pm

Time to unpack and probably nap.

Our Ceremony

5:30 pm