so, maybe it's about time I gave you an account of my last couple of weeks:
Friday 5th May
after a frantic time of it packing and general last minute arrangements, managed to join Kenny and his folks in the pub for a couple. He and I then went to the Urban Grill for a very nice dinner (steak) and then headed home. Brother picked me up, said goodbye to Kenny, and went to my folks. Had quiet but pleasant evening there, and received a beautiful necklace from my mum and dad. Had forgotten to give Kenny his pocket watch so texted him with details of where to find it. Went to bed at a normal time, in my brother's room (he had the sofabed in my old room), watched some TV, then slept very well.
Saturday 6th May
Awoke very early, the sun (hurrah!) was streaming in, and it was my wedding day! As it was at least an hour till I had to get up, I scoured Bro's bookshelves; settled on 50 Philosophers of the World and refreshed my memory of Hobbes! Eventually got up, showered and had lovely breakfast of smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels (some may recognise this as my Christmas breakfast!). Opened cards and a lovely keepsake box from Bro- managed to drop cream cheese on it - oops!
Then it was time for the hairdresser, which was lots of fun, and walked up the road back home with my seagull feathers flapping proudly. Make-up lady had arrived, so she started on me, and then mum when she returned from the hairdresser. Bridesmaid arrived with hair beautifully done, and had her make-up done too.
Sandwich platter arrived, and we scoffed with a glass or two of fizz, most welcome. Flowers arrived, absolutely beautiful! Mum got a bit emotional about the Lily-of-the-Valley (she had requested it as it was her late mother's favourite flower), which smelled gorgeous. After lunch, we got dressed. I was assisted into my dress, and it all started to come together. I think the final moment, when I held my bouquet in front of the mirror it really sunk in 'I'm getting married!'. Dad popped in at this moment for tie advice, and didn't seem to bat an eyelid at his only daughter as a bride, but he popped back in to tell me how beautiful I looked.
2 o'clock came, and as the cars were expected between 2 and 2.15 we headed downstairs. Didn't feel like more fizz, so we just waited, and took a few photos, and then carried on waiting, and waiting. Nerves began to build; up until that point, I had had lots to do and hadn't stopped. Now that there was nothing to do but wait, I got a bit tense. Called the car company at 2.20, assured they were '5 minutes away' (which was still bloody late). First car, for Mum and BM arrived, then a few mins later the 1930s Rover for Dad and I turned up. Posed for a few photos for the neighbours and then we were off. Thankfully, Dad managed not to say anything to reduce me to tears, but there was a touch of surreality- I had seen plenty of brides before, and now it was me!
The wait had really made my stomach churn, and as we approached the venue, I got worse. BM was waiting outside, and dad and I arrived and were greeted by the general manager and the registrar (the family friend who had registered Kenny's birth). She hugged me, and asked me to check the details on the licence; Yep, I think that's me, yep, I think I'm an accountant. The licence quivered in my hands, and dad held my arm just to give me a check. Registrar headed off to take her place, GM opened the doors and announced my arrival.
I proceeded into the room, trying hard to walk slowly, and as hundreds of faces turned round, all ones that I recognised, the sense of surreality grew! Everyone I knew was there, all to see me! I turned the corner to go down the aisle, and there he was at the end, looking so handsome, and grinning from ear to ear. Focussing on that face got me down the aisle in one piece, and we stood for a moment admiring each other as Kenny's aunt finished playing my entrance music.
The ceremony is the only really blurry bit: I remember the registrar adding her personal note to the proceedings, and I remember handing my bouquet to BM for the vows. I have the vows written down thankfully, so can refer to them, but I do vividly remember the exchanging of rings. And then we were married and we kissed, and everyone applauded!
We headed then into the room for signing the register, and the relief was immense. The bridal party all hugged, and Kenny and I just grinned at each other. My signature was so shaky I wondered if it would invalidate the whole thing! We then prepared for our trip down the aisle, at which point we realised the rain had started and we couldn't head outside. Instead the bridal party headed for the Oval Room, and were brought some welcome glasses of champagne.
The rain cleared and we headed outside for the group shots, most of the main ones were captured before the rain came on again, and we completed the rest inside. Managed some mingling and half a glass of fizz, and then it was time to cut the cake. And then the parents and us lined up to welcome our guests into dinner. It was exciting then being announced and applauded to our places for dinner.
We had decided to have the speeches before dinner, so the speakers could enjoy their meal and relax. Dad spoke first, and despite not being a natural public speaker, spoke very well and movingly about both of us. Kenny followed, with a warm and witty speech and said all the right things about me! Then, unusually, I followed. Not being the shy type, I had wanted to say something at my own wedding, but without overshadowing Kenny. I think I achieved that, and all the adrenaline was flowing, I said all I wanted to say, and sat down again! The bestman followed with a great speech, which was affectionate but with plenty of ribbing of Kenny.
Dinner, phew, and some wine. Risked red! Absolutely wolfed dinner down, and managed to do some mingling, picking a table whenever someone temporarily vacated their seat. After dinner, my BM suggested we get the walled garden shots we'd been unable to do in the rainy afternoon, suggesting my brother as he is a good photographer. I said to the GM we were doing this, and in his annoucement to close proceedings upstairs, told everyone where we were going! So much for getting a few minutes alone!
After a stroll round the gardens, and lots more photos, we headed in for the dancing. Band were all set up, squeezed into a corner. Kenny disappeared at this point, but soon reappeared, and we spoke with the band about the rhythm we wanted Fly Me to the Moon played in. They did it as a waltz, turning into swing half way through, and having practised to the CD in swing time (and without a hazardous train!) we weren't quite as smooth as we would have liked to have been. Still, we had a great time, and our dancing was better later on when we were less bothered about it. I barely drank all night, too busy chatting and dancing and having a great time. Kenny drank loads, but afterwards didn't seem that pissed- a single tequila would normally floor him, let alone 4! We stayed till the very end (no Loch Lomond thankfully!) but then struggled to get out the building, without saying goodbye to everyone. Ushers were far too drunk to carry out their final duty of taking our bags to the waiting car, so my mum did it in the end! Gave my bouquet to Kenny's gran, I didn't know what to do with it, and it would just have gone to waste at home with me away.
Finally got the car, shouted goodbye as we went, and Kenny and I were alone again for the first time in hours. The car headed townwards, and as it came off the bridge I guessed correctly we were headed to Malmaison. Checked in, and had a beautiful luxury suite, and received complimentary glasses of champagne. Adrenaline was still flowing, so we wound down together, talking about the day and reading the guest book. I'll draw a veil there now.....
26 May 2006 at 9:55AM
