More long weekend
So, dere readers, I left you as the bridal party were about to leave the house. Actually, I left the house before F and Dave, getting to the church in time to watch my brother's spectacular reverse manoeuvre and greet the bridesmaids.
I met F, collected the capes, disposed of them and got to my seat. Mothers of brides get a good view. It's part of the deal. The music started, and F came up the aisle on Dave's arm. Yes, it looked beautiful.
In British weddings, BTW, the bride and her father come first, followed by her attendants.
Sisters of bride and groom, just behind the two married ladies, old friends of F.
There wasn't even the slightest pretence of modesty or diffidence. F was so excited she bounced, literally jumping up and down. It was adorable.
The formal bit came first, after a hymn (Amazing Grace). Our vicar (curate, really) was Sam, who had been a Youth Leader in F's church before she was ordained, and thus had a very personal connection to the event. F babysat all three of her children back in the day.
Then there were prayers and a sermon, which was wholly personal. Sam gave them a bundle of twigs - so they would "stick together". Yes, we all groaned. F and K sat to one side during this bit.
After this phase (and another couple of hymns) we proceeded to the Lady Chapel to sign the registers. As the C of E is still the Established Church, no civil marriage is necessary; clergy of the C of E have full powers to officiate. The register is maintained in the church - so there were two to sign, one for St Nick's and one for St John's, which is actually our home parish. The bridesmaids, groomsmen and parents all crowded into this somewhat limited space - the vestry would have been much smaller, though.
Note the tiny epiphany scene in the space under the altar!
Then we lined up and left the church. F had made a special choice of music.
Yes, there was perhaps a little bit of bopping in the aisles.
Outside there were masses of photographs in front of the church door. (A Norman (Romanesque) doorway lifted from somewhere else, the Abbey or the castle, and embedded in a Renaissance surround to impress Queen Elizabeth I when she visited in 1575.) The Durham Mafia was there in force.
Most of the above were at our wedding. Apart from those who were there as a concept merely.
Family photos - you may see some resemblance between my Mum, my daughters and me. You may also note that K's family has a "family face" too!
Then the car was there, and champagne for the newly-weds. The capes came in extremely useful, as it was sunny, but only just above freezing.
Pretty car, isn't it?
Then there was faffing about on a grand scale as we made sure everyone could get to the reception. Which will have to wait for another post, I fear.
More tomorrow, a day I have promised myself will be one of idleness.
I met F, collected the capes, disposed of them and got to my seat. Mothers of brides get a good view. It's part of the deal. The music started, and F came up the aisle on Dave's arm. Yes, it looked beautiful.
In British weddings, BTW, the bride and her father come first, followed by her attendants.
Sisters of bride and groom, just behind the two married ladies, old friends of F.
There wasn't even the slightest pretence of modesty or diffidence. F was so excited she bounced, literally jumping up and down. It was adorable.
The formal bit came first, after a hymn (Amazing Grace). Our vicar (curate, really) was Sam, who had been a Youth Leader in F's church before she was ordained, and thus had a very personal connection to the event. F babysat all three of her children back in the day.
Then there were prayers and a sermon, which was wholly personal. Sam gave them a bundle of twigs - so they would "stick together". Yes, we all groaned. F and K sat to one side during this bit.
After this phase (and another couple of hymns) we proceeded to the Lady Chapel to sign the registers. As the C of E is still the Established Church, no civil marriage is necessary; clergy of the C of E have full powers to officiate. The register is maintained in the church - so there were two to sign, one for St Nick's and one for St John's, which is actually our home parish. The bridesmaids, groomsmen and parents all crowded into this somewhat limited space - the vestry would have been much smaller, though.
Note the tiny epiphany scene in the space under the altar!
Then we lined up and left the church. F had made a special choice of music.
Click to viewYes, there was perhaps a little bit of bopping in the aisles.
Outside there were masses of photographs in front of the church door. (A Norman (Romanesque) doorway lifted from somewhere else, the Abbey or the castle, and embedded in a Renaissance surround to impress Queen Elizabeth I when she visited in 1575.) The Durham Mafia was there in force.
Most of the above were at our wedding. Apart from those who were there as a concept merely.
Family photos - you may see some resemblance between my Mum, my daughters and me. You may also note that K's family has a "family face" too!
Then the car was there, and champagne for the newly-weds. The capes came in extremely useful, as it was sunny, but only just above freezing.
Pretty car, isn't it?
Then there was faffing about on a grand scale as we made sure everyone could get to the reception. Which will have to wait for another post, I fear.
More tomorrow, a day I have promised myself will be one of idleness.