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NEEA + ANSSI
Pakkilan Hyvän Paimenen Kirkko Häät | Church of the Good Shepherd Helsinki | Den gode herdens kyrka Helsingfors | Hyvän Paimenen Kirkko Vihkiminen | Kotihäät
They had plans for a 120 guests June wedding at Pakkilan Hyvän Paimenen Kirkko and a big party in a beautiful ballroom venue, followed by a brunch the next day. And after the party, Neea and Anssi were going to spend a full month of holiday in Zanzibar. But then the Covid19 pandemic came.
Love in the Time of Corona | Häät koronaepidemia-aikana
At first, they held onto hope that things might turn for the better and the wedding would still take place as planned. But when it became clear that their original plans were not happening, they postponed everything to the autumn. However, they soon realized that nothing was certain even for the autumn. And they wondered how long were they prepared to wait. So instead of worrying, they shifted focus to the meaning behind their wedding: the desire to get married and commit to one another. And that was not something that the epidemic could stop. So suddenly, the most natural choice seemed to be keeping a small wedding on their original date with only their closest family.
Pakkilan Hyvän Paimenen Kirkko Vihkiminen | Church of the Good Shepherd Helsinki
Love takes on a more significant role when there are unexpected changes in arrangements.
The wedding ceremony in an almost empty church was impressive. Seeing Neea walking in with her father moved everyone to tears. Neea’s sister sang the song “Enkelin Rukous” (The Angel’s Prayer).
Home Wedding | Kotihäät
After the ceremony and portraits, the couple and their families gathered at Neea’s childhood home for
The most special moment was their family delivering a speech where each guest had the floor. Then they danced their first dance as a married couple in the living room and ate cake with the family. Afterward, Neea and Anssi had a private dinner at Ravintola Farang. After the wedding dinner ended, the couple arrived at their hotel at nine in the evening and relaxed with a bubble bath contemplating their day.
Neea and Anssi are, in fact, grateful that the plans changed with the corona pandemic. Because challenges didn’t get in their way, instead, they made their love stronger and wedding planning more memorable.
Pakkilan Hyvän Paimenen Kirkko Häät | Church of the Good Shepherd Helsinki | Den gode herdens kyrka Helsingfors | Hyvän Paimenen Kirkko Vihkiminen | Kotihäät
Ceremony: Church of the Good Shepherd Helsinki
Celebration: Neea’s Family Home