Weddingbee Blog

Some of you might recall the pink helmet that popped up in some of our Zivilstand photos. I briefly explained how Mr. Funnel Cake’s paratrooper unit has a wedding tradition that involves passing down a set of pink helmets to the groom on his wedding day.

When we arrived home on the day of the Zivilstand, Mr. Funnel Cake promptly placed the hot pink helmets on top of some wooden beams in our living room. You’ve got to be kidding me, Mr. Funnel Cake. Hot pink helmets in the living room decor?! Was he crazy? But Mr. Funnel Cake was proud of his wedding trophies and for nearly a year these beauties sat perched over us.

By the time the next military wedding approached, I was a little surprised how attached I had become to the helmets in our living room. I was a little sad to know that we had to hand them over to the next groom soon.

The “jumping” helmet carries each set of names in sharpie and this is the helmet that the previous groom uses to skydive to the next groom’s wedding.

The “glamour” helmet is adorned with delicate gold type and is truly the trophy piece in the two. Really. Hot. Stuff.

(That’s Edwardian Script if you were wondering.)

Mr. Funnel Cake prepared the helmet with the next couple’s name and date and then before we knew it, we were on our way to the wedding.

After the wedding ceremony and a boat ride for the bride and groom on the river, we all gathered in a field to wait for the boys to drop down to us. …waiting, waiting…. OH! There they are!

I was so excited! This was actually the first time I would ever see Mr. Funnel Cake skydiving in all our time together!

With the pink helmet on, Mr. Funnel Cake was easy to spot on the right with his Swiss flag.

One by one the boys landed after each other. The crowd was clearly pleased.

When all had arrived safely on the ground, they saluted and shouted some military jargon like “Viva el Para” several times in very loud, manly voices. I was impressed. You know, by all the overwhelming manliness.

Afterward, Mr. Funnel Cake decorated his comrade in red roses and a pink flag to match the helmet he was handing over and draped another flag over the new Mrs.

Then Mr. FC cracked open a bottle of champagne (my favourite part!) and we began toasting. Mr. FC hates champagne, so even though only the couple and guys were drinking, a few of the military wives and I got to share in the good fun as well.

All the boys settled down for a group photo and then it was time to pack up and head to the reception.

But before they could go, the guys needed to actually pack up their parachutes, which takes more than a few seconds.

Packing in style. Best dressed packers I’ve ever seen!

With the helmet handed over and the wedding reception beginning, a new chapter for the pink helmets had begun. And now, a short three months later, we are already heading to another military wedding tomorrow. Mr. Funnel Cake’s parachute is packed and we are ready to watch the helmet travel further on down the line.

Do you have any traditions you pass down through weddings?

*Pictures personal unless noted*