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.’