We were married by Reverend Páll Ágúst Olaffson at Búðir Kirka on 27 May 2014. Páll is a jolly man with a generous smile and a firm handshake. Our paths crossed about three months ago after we had settled upon having the ceremony at the Búðir Kirka. In our first email exchange, I had written that though neither of us are religious, we are both spiritual people; though we had not desired or planned on a religious ceremony, we were both open to the idea of making our wedding sacred in some way. Páll’s response: “The only thing that matters is that you love each other and that you are excited to get married!” Instantly we knew that we had the right person.
As we began organizing the ceremony, Páll forwarded us his typical ceremony format and asked if we would like anything special. We had two requests: that he leave room to read a letter written from Pia’s father, Marius; and that we have a chance to read our own vows to each other. Páll was happy to oblige.
Once all the arrangements were made and we had both travelled to Reykjavik, I got an email from Páll on Sunday night, wondering if we might be able to meet briefly the next morning. As it would turn out, Páll was living in Reykjavik, traveling the two hours’ distance out to Búðir and his other parishes. We arranged to meet him in the lobby of our hotel at 9:30 AM the next morning.
At 9:15 AM, our phone rang—so much for Michigan Time™. Páll was waiting. Jamie & I hurried to finish getting ready and jumped on the elevator. When the doors opened, there stood a man with a quiet, friendly face. We introduced ourselves, and Páll asked us a few questions about our travel and our plans for the next day. He gave us instructions about the paperwork due that afternoon in Stykkishólmur, wished us a safe trip to Snæfellsnes, and was soon on his way to a ‘9:30 emergency.’
Jamie next saw Páll on Tuesday morning sitting at the bar in the hotel lobby. They chatted for a little while before heading off to the church to unlock the gates and prepare for the ceremony. Páll asked more questions about our decisions to have a private ceremony, our families, and how we decided upon Iceland for our ceremony. As the details of our relationship were revealed, Páll seemed to be struck by our love and unique relationship. He seemed to realize that we were serious about ourselves and our relationship.
At the ceremony, Páll was friendly and kind. He laughed when we laughed. He choked back tears as we did. The entire ceremony had a warm benevolence about it, balanced with the right amounts of gravity and friendliness. He seemed truly happy to be there with us in that moment on that day.
After the ceremony, while Páll was still wearing his white robes, he told us that he keeps photos of all the couples that he weds. And at that moment, with one of the world’s best photographers behind him, Páll pulled out an iPhone, lined us up at the alter, and shouted, “A priest with a phone. Smile!”. He beamed as he took our photograph. Jakob, fully aware of the situation, smiled as he photographed Páll with his phone. It was a great moment.
An hour or so later, we were back at the hotel enjoying a small lunch and reflecting on the ceremony that had just happened when Páll happened to walk into sitting area reserved for us. He sat down briefly, seeing our glow and we chatted about the rain, our plans, and how special the ceremony was. After a couple of minutes, he stood up, told us it was truly a pleasure to meet us, and shook our hands once more before leaving to attend to the next wedding that day.
I don’t think we could have been any luckier with Páll. His openness and care-free approach let us have a ceremony that fit us. His demeanor put both of us at ease and calmed us as the rain poured down on our wedding day. Already, we have talked about visiting with Páll on future trips, perhaps arranging for concerts in some of his churches.
It was truly a pleasure.