Since 13. 48 yesterday I’ve been a married man! And the Hausfrau became Mrs W – although she’s still having to practice the pronunciation of her new surname!

Yes, we arrived at the Rathaus in Talheim at the allotted time, to be met by Sarah Hermann, the work experience student who was going to marry us a few moments later.  (Well, that’s how young she looked to me, but then, I am knocking on a bit now!) We found out at the champagne reception after the civil wedding ceremony that she is in fact only 20, young for a registrar in the UK, I’m sure, but not so unusual here in Germany apparently.

But I’m getting ahead of things. We were led to a little room tastefully set up for the wedding.  Apart from the two of us, also present were my 92-year-old mum,  and my brother and his wife, all three of whom had arrived a couple of hours earlier from England.

The ceremony began with a few legalities before a short address based on a quote by Albert Schweitzer: “Geteiltes Glück ist doppeltes Glück”, ie Shared happiness means double happiness.

Then, after reading out our particulars, during which she inadvertently made the soon-to-be-Mrs W 20 years younger, she asked both of us in turn if we wished to take the other as spouse.  “Ja!”  I blurted out as quickly and as clearly as I could.  "Ja-a ..." Did I sense a slight hesitation on the part of my betrothed? Course not!

Then we exchanged rings and were allowed to kiss (I’d earlier jumped the gun, which raised a few laughs). We signed a document.  The new Mrs W had to sign her new name and I swear she had to check the spelling halfway through – oh, well!

Then it was joy and rapture all round, congratulations and hugs, before a brief champagne reception. We also learned from the youthful registrar that this was only her fourth wedding and that I was her first foreigner!

Finally after photographs in the Rathausplatz, it was back to the new daughter’s house for Kaffee und Kuchen ... and more champagne!

Today's a day off, as other family members arrive from Germany and the UK and as we wait for the big church wedding on Saturday in Maulbronn Abbey.

© Paul Whitelock

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