This day, between the civil and family ceremonies, is for preparations and play. In the morning, many family members and friends came to the AirBnB where we stayed to make food for tomorrow as well as organize other things. Clare offered to help and was given simple jobs, like washing dishes, which everyone understands. Being involved, helping in a tiny way, was great!

Later, we walked to the castle where the marriage will take place tomorrow. Clare helped decorate the napkins with four other women while Brian helped Marc set up an area with photos of the bride and groom as children through today. One photo pictured our daughter, Laura, when Marc and Joëlle’s family visited Colorado.

When the tables were ready for the big dinner the next day, we all went to the grassy courtyard for games. Unfortunately, the sun was bright and hot and not many people participated in the games. We re-met people we met at Audrey’s wedding a few years ago, so the time outside was filled with communication. Fortunately, a lot of people here know English. I hope we did not embarrass ourselves too much.

Dinner was from a food truck, delicious hamburgers and fries, served from 9-10 o’clock.

So many more people had arrived that the bridal party and close family stayed in the castle annex, including, of course, many people from our AirBnB. The young people played a favorite board game at the castle that night, foretelling part of tomorrow’s ceremony. The next morning at breakfast, we met some new people staying here for the wedding.

• Iceland and France