Reverend John Liljeblad from Förslöv in southern Sweden had not held a selfie stick until last Saturday and was taken by surprise when a young couple suggested he used their official photographer's stick during their ceremony.

He explained that that Elin Elofsson, 24, and her now husband Jonas, 25 had got the idea from a family member’s girlfriend but said he had been more than happy to “have a go”, despite his inexperience using the new technology.

“The bride was very excited and said it would be a very nice moment in the wedding,” he told The Local.

“Everyone was a bit nervous in the church but when I took the photo it became less tense and people cheered and it was like everyone exploded with happiness.”

Liljeblad’s photo went viral in Sweden after being shared by Swedish tabloid Expressen on Tuesday, as the newspaper dubbed it the nation's first “prälfie”, combining the Swedish word for priest (“präst”) with the word “selfie”.

But the priest said he was still “a little confused” that it had caught so much attention.

“It’s good that everybody has seen how happy they were,” he said in reference to the newlyweds, saying he hoped the photo would encourage other couples to consider getting married in church.

bbabo.Net