Argentine Civil Ceremony

F 1.17.14

• when couples want to get married in Argentina, they must have what is called the civil ceremony in order to make it legal; religious ceremonies are optional and have no legal status 
• p.s. a few fun facts: did you know that foreigners don't need a special visa to legally get married here? just need proper immigration status...and that the couple must do a blood test within 7 days before the ceremony to check for venereal diseases? and they're not allowed to wed if tested positive?...and that gay marriage was legal in 2010? Go Argentina!
• this takes place at what is called "registro civil" and is similar to a courthouse ceremony in the States (I imagine)
• some couples choose to also have a church ceremony and/or reception in the afternoon or at night (remember this wedding we went to?) 
• funny enough, our very first civil ceremony was of our friends, Fredrik from Sweden and Yayoi from Japan, who are living and working here as expats
• the ceremony was at a registro in our neighborhood and began at 2pm
• we arrived early for photos and chatting

• James met Maxim for the first time, born 1 week after James

not a great photo, but Maxim, you're adorable...will have to add more the next time we get together...
also the photographer took some great shots, so would like to get some of those 

• about an hour after arriving, we were shown into one of the rooms
• the bride, groom, and witnesses sat in the front, with the guests behind, then the judge entered

• apparently translators are allowed, but Fredrik and Yayoi's Spanish is very good, therefore they were able to get married in Spanish! (something I couldn't do...especially with a tough judge...good thing she lightened up a bit after the first question: "For what are you marrying?" ...ughh....por amor!)
• James was a stud throughout the whole ceremony

he does the creepy "eyes open a little" sleeping...always keeping an eye on everyone...maybe he'll be in the secret service someday

• the couple said their I do's aka sí 's

Jake was one of the three witnesses - criteria to be a witness: must have an Argentine address and be able to understand Spanish

• and finally a kiss and some signatures to seal the deal

• throwing rice, rose petals, confetti, etc. at the couple is traditional here, but only OUTSIDE

throwing rice is prohibited

• preparing James for the rice throwing

• felicitaciones to the newlyweds! 

• along with the marriage certificate, they received the little red book in Fred's hand, which is the libreta de familia...where things like births, name changes, vaccines, etc. are recorded
• their Spanish teacher told us that she has kept her grandparents' little books as mementoes...what a great keepsake of their Argentine wedding for Fred and Yayoi!

beautiful couple!

• Jake took the day off, so we escaped the heat and went home to feed James, nap, and watch a movie before dinner later that evening
• we went to a place I'd been dying to try, Sucre, in Belgrano
• I want to go back just to try the rest of their amazingly concocted drinks 
• it was like chemistry lab meets swanky bar

• little James fell asleep in the cab ride over and napped while mom and dad tried some magical potions

• I ordered the Té Julepe As which consisted of zubrowka (a grass vodka), mint, lemon, hibiscus soda, and apples...you bet I asked for a spoon to scoop out that fruit! ...amazing (p.s. James had a bottle for dinner, don't worry)

• Jake's drink was even cooler

• he got the Bruma Isleña, which was like an old fashioned with bourbon, homemade angostura bitters, syrup, and vanilla oak smoke
• you'll have to ask Jake to better describe it, but basically, the chemist bartender lit a piece of wood, trapped the smoke in one glass, then poured the mixed drink in and set it over another glass of ice water to chill...what?! a whole sensory experience...Jake said it was tasty and that he'll have to learn how to recreate it (oh dear)

• so the innovative drinks set the tone for what was to come...and evening of delicious appetizers, bread, fish, meat, desserts, and of course great company among friends

• we loved celebrating you two! again, CONGRATULATIONS!!! and thank you for a wonderful day!