Notes from England - Weddingmoon Pt. I

Hello all,

We saw that on a shirt in St. Lucia - "weddingmoon"...so I decided it was just cheesy enough to use as a post title. You know my odd sense of humor. ;-)

Well it's been nearly three weeks since the wedding, and now that things have settled down a bit...only a bit!...I thought I'd post my thoughts for you all but more importantly, to ask for your feedback on what you all thought as well! Along the way, I'm going to throw in a couple...but only a couple, despite the numerous photos I fell in love with...of my favourite photos. John & Jonny...I've snarfed these off your respective photo pages so I don't send a bunch of traffic your way that you may not want!


It's funny...I wasn't nervous...at all...until that Saturday morning. And even funnier is that I wasn't nervous about the wedding itself. No, I was nervous about my speech. If you were there, then you'll likely remember that I mentioned I'm not a public speaker. I meant it. Hardly anything can make me more nervous...but for some reason, until Saturday morning...(not even Friday night!) it wasn't bothering me.

Then I sat there at Jonny's house on the big day...and butterflies were going through my stomach ad nausea. But it subsided as things started moving...like...once I got in the car on my way to the church. It didn't pass entirely...but it got better. It's strange, because it was as we got in the car and started down the road that Aaron said he was feeling more nervous than ever. I guess it hits people at different times. It hit me hardest at dinner...but I'll get to that in a mo'.

We arrive at the church...only to discover Josh doesn't have a hankie for his suit. Ack! I know it sounds like a minor detail...but do you know the kind of trouble I was foreseeing for myself at that moment if I had to tell my new bride that all the wedding photos were going to have one mismatched usher because we lost a hankie? Anyway, not to worry...Andy arrived and the AWOL hankie had been stuck in Aaron's suit bag. Problem solved, crisis averted.

After everyone is introduced...it's maybe...maybe 12:00. So that means we had a good hour to sit/stand and wait. Butterflies crept back in, but so long as I kept myself busy I forgot about it. Thank God for Barbara taking photos!

Eventually Helen shows up (after quite a hectic morning herself!) and things get under way. You know the rest..."I will" and "I will" followed by a smooch and something 'bout "husband and wife".

Then...more...pictures...lots...more...pictures...my face still hurts from smiling!

We finally take off to the reception...and the champagne went down quick and easy. Hehehe. I needed it by then! We stand around and talk to people a bit longer...have some Winter Pimms (just in case any of you were wondering what the welcoming drinks were...and yes it was alcoholic) and took a few more photos. Then to the receiving line and...dinner.


Butterflies must have been mating like rabbits in my tummy because I could hardly eat. I ate my soup...and some of my veggies...maybe a bite or two of chicken...that's it. I thought I'd be sick! Not because of the food...you all know it was good...but because of the speech which I knew was coming right after dinner!

For those that couldn't make it, the menu consisted of:

*Fresh Tomato Soup blended with Garden Basil
*Traditional Oven Roasted Chicken: Served with a Smoked Bacon & Mushroom Sauce

~or~

*Vegetable Stir Fry: A Selection of Fresh Oriental Vegetables stir fried and served on a Bed of Rice

*Warm Bramley Apple & Blackberry Crumble served with Cappuccino Ice Cream or Hot Custard

*Coffee or Tea and Mints

(And of course, all the wine you like)

Oh...I did manage a few bites of the crumble...but not much. Helen said I was white as a sheet and thought I was going to be sick when I went to the bathroom. Nope...just went to the bathroom. Met Carey & Aaron in there! Hey guys!

Anyhoo...then it was speech time. Thank goodness John went first. (By tradition) I don't think I could have handled going first. John's speech was fantastic, and it really (along with all the alcohol) warmed the crowd. Yet...I was so nervous I didn't think I'd be able to stand. But stand I did...and once I actually got the words flowing out of my mouth, it came pretty easy.

Once I sat down...I felt like a million dollars. The nervous stomach had gone...but it still took my appetite with it!

After dinner we opened the room up for Disco Chris (who rocked, by the way) and dancing. Yes...I know...I can't dance and have no rhythm. But I tried...for Helen's sake. What can I say? The girl lives to dance! If you saw her on the dance floor, you know what I'm talkin' about. Even in that (gorgeous!) wedding dress she was workin' it out. She's in her element when the cheesy pop music comes on. Though...after 14-odd years of dance, I suppose she ought to be!

In short...I had an absolutely amazing time at my wedding. I don't remember all of it, but it's nothing to do with alcohol, I promise. After dinner was finished, I didn't touch a drop! So I had a glass of champagne on the way to the reception...a glass of Pimms upon arrival...and a glass of wine at dinner.

So...I've not heard from most of you - what do you remember most about the wedding? What were the highlights? What didn't you like? Any favourite pictures?

Give me feedback!

~Jer