The Polterabend - a German wedding tradition - is celebrated the night before the vows are taken. It generally consists of friends, family, and loved ones gathering for drinks, snacks, and more drinks to celebrate the upcoming wedding. The Polterabend is significant: all guests must bring some form of porcelain and break it into shards such that a lot of noise scares away any and all evil Poltergeists so that the bride and groom may start their union in good spirits. Our Polterabend took place in the form of a Brazilian Churrasco BBQ in Barra da Tijuca.
 

All of Joana's girlfriends were in attendance.
 

And Robert's closest friends from the US made the trip to be there.
 

The bride and her mother striking a pose.
 

And here is Joana with her future sister-in-law, Anne.
 

And speaking of in-laws, here is Joana with the self-proclaimed "best mother-in-law ever!"
 

Paula, Pedro, and Joana smiling for the camera.
 

And for the broken porcelain to work its magic, the bride and groom must clean up the mess ... together!
 

Are we doing a great job, or what?!?
 

And there is always time for some kisses.
 

Robert's friends, Jaret and Amanda, came all the way from Memphis, Tennessee, to join the party.
 

Karsten, as always, made friends immediatelly!
 

The food was great, the drinks awesome, and the soccer game that followed, way too exhausting!
 

We even had the pleasure of the great architects, Bob and Claudia, joining us for our special occation!