WARNING – before reading, please know that you are at risk of being bored by the bridal bore!
I’m quite conscious that actually, not everyone in the world wants to know that I had blue toenails, that there was a power cut at the church and that the hog man got so hammered that it was a serve yourself or starve evening buffet…so I am trying quite hard to measure to what lengths I speak about our wedding. Having said that, here’s the initial ramblings on The Big Day, erm, just in case any readers are, like, interested….
It was totally, utterly brilliant and the best day of my life, for sure. In the run up to it, I was totally shattered from legging around and doing last minute jobs, painting the van and hallway so that neither looked tatty on the day, and carting stuff to and from the marquee. At 3pm on the Friday, I was scoffing chips in an unfinished marquee whilst it pissed it down outside.
Fast forward to 7pm however, and I was drinking red wine, having a pedicure and having my dinner cooked for me by the ultra-ace Bridesmaid, Mare. I slept, as you’d imagine, a minimal amount and was wide awake again at 5.45am peering out from behind the curtains to find…sunshine! Hoooopla! I nearly high fived my sister, who was sleeping next door, in celebration.
Come 8am it was all systems go – five bridesmaids and three hairdressers were in full flow and the house was chocka. I was remarkably calm until I had to get my hair done – even applying my makeup was a relaxed affair. However, sitting still having my barnet sorted, not being able to run around in a lather was not good for my composure and I started getting nervy about the big day ahead. A few champers later though, and a bit of calming talk from lovely Mary from The Glass Slipper and I was basically ok.
Until.
Yes, there really was a power cut. As I drew up to the Church I heard house alarms going off and heard my Dad say “Oh dear” as he exited the car. I was stressed, as I knew we needed power for Dad and Brother’s musical turn later in the ceremony. After a bit of flapping we were calmed by the presence of the completely brilliant Father John, who said in rather joyful tones “We have a piano!” (the organ was electric too). The way he said it actually made me glad that we had a piano instead! Anyhoo, it all panned out ok and I went up the altar with a piano playing and candles lit. I was definitely happy at that point as some of the pics of me walking up show a grin so wide that I look slightly psychotic! Looking back at the piano/candle/power thingy, it was completely appropriate for The Husband and I and fitted perfectly with our random comedy moments. 
The wedding went on and half way through, the lights came back on too (not in reply to an expectant line on “shining light on us” from the priest – that really would have been a hollywood moment). This meant Dad and Bro could do their turn singing a love song medley, which most of the congregation swayed along too! Brilliant. Throughout, I think if I had grinned any wider, my face would have split open – I was utterly over the moon.
The festivities carried on at our lovely marquee in a friend’s farm field (we are SO lucky with the weather, I can’t tell you), and the hay bale throwing contest got properly underway after dinner. Food btw was really fantastic and there was lots of it – washed down with LOADS of wine from the lovely Corkscrew Wines in Carlisle. Delicious pink wine was my choice and the sparklings they recommended were brilliant (i’m not a dry champagne fan, these were really lovely to quaff). With the alcohol adding to the atmosphere, many people joined the speech sweepstake contest…
My Dad’s speech was ace, culminating in a tailored version of “Always look on the bright side of life” with verses about me and the boy which Dad had written. Most people joined in the chorus which was a great random touch to our day. My speech went pretty well too and the Boy likes his ‘membership certificate’ of the Japan Aisaika organisation – or the devoted husbands association. I hope he takes my “tips” for future marital bliss on board…
Husband did a good job on his speech relating us to Tom and Barbara from The Good Life – I’d be happy with that although I’m not sure I could tolerate having goats. Pete the best man also had a blinder and recounted tale after tale of the Boy’s adventures and comedy moments aplenty, again culminating in song – this time Husband and Father in Law sang The Blackbird song – a good West Country moment!
The evening stayed fine weather wise and randomly a helicopter did a low fly-past, with many people thinking we’d organised that (we hadn’t). We’d chosen our band really carefully and The Men from Stax did us proud – our first dance was Madness’ “It must be love” which they played with aplomb, followed up by a ska mix which got a lot of people on the dancefloor early. Tonnes of people commented on how great they were – and the dancefloor was basically packed all night – always a good sign.
The evening was a whirl and a blur of chatting, dancing, press ups (why do I do these things?!) and a sing-a-long of irish tunes, dutch songs and some rugby numbers. All in all, a top top top day.
The next morning everyone who’d camped was up early and a few of us went for a refreshing swim in the river (a very good hangover cure, I can tell ya). Then it was on to the wedding XI cricket game, in which two of our uncles took wickets and celebrated way beyond their years and agility should allow! It was ace and a nice way to chill a little bit before heading off on the honeymoon adventure in Trevor the wonder van – but more of that in a later post…
