As today marks our second weekaversary I thought I put fingers to keys (the 21st century version of pen to paper) and write a bit about the whole thing.
We went down the Saturday before the wedding to make sure we had plenty of time to do all that needed doing and the days leading up to Friday blur together into a memory of all the stuff that needed doing. Running countless errands, buying soft drinks, alcohol, more beer, stocking up for an improvised Thursday dinner with family, picking up Mads at the airport, getting suits, realising that I had forgot my cufflinks, buying cufflinks, helping out wherever was needed, directing marquee-builders and caterers and generally running around like a headless chicken.
Mum and dad came Sunday, Mimi Monday and Sandra and Adam Tuesday and they all helped out immensely, unquestioningly accepting any and all tasks given to them which came really handy for pulling ribbon through the service sheets and helping to redo all the place cards as the organic elephant dung paper we had bought originally was too soft to work with.
The Friday started with dad, Mads and I going for proper shaves and cuts so we’d look our best and then heading back to sort out tidbits and get ready.
We got to Leatherhead Register Office a bit early (despite a small panic as traffic started slowing down on the M25) and slowly people started to trickle in – this was also the first time that the majority of the two families met each other so it was all very exciting. I went for my “interview” which took all of two minutes and then waited in the ceremony room as people found their seats.
Perfectly timed (slightly late) Lorna walked in with John and I felt myself well up. She was wearing her “Friday” dress and looked absolutely stunning. She was a sight to behold and I think my heart skipped several beats although I managed to remain standing. The ceremony was beautiful and didn’t feel rushed or “flat” as they sometimes can. We said yes at the right times, repeated as directed and signed the register and thus we were married!
At this point there was quite a few tears. I think Mimi wins the award for best sobbing – it was worthy of a chick flick! We then withdrew to the sideroom for hugs, kisses, photos and general merriment before being driven by uncle David to the golf club. We were “only” 42 for the day and people milled around, had a drink and a snack and then Sandra, Lorna and I took center stage for the Jewish blessing.
Sandra did a fantastic job. I was so proud of my little sister! My mental images kept flicking between thinking of her as far too young to be doing this and then remembering that she actually turned 30 earlier this year. She was wonderful and carried on through with grace and authority. When the closest family formed a circle around us I shed a few more tears. It all came together so beautifully and the feeling of having them all there supporting us was almost overwhelming.
Then food and drinks and mingling and talking and more tears (started off by John when he said grace). Afterwards we drove down to the rectory and carried on celebrating and I got to meet and talk to a lot of Lorna’s family (and what a lovely bunch they all are!).
We didn’t carry on for too long as there was the big event taking place the next day…
Saturday started with the last few hurried preparations, sorting out the flowers in the marquee, getting the caterers going and then heading for St. Katharine’s. As we were already married we had decided to walk in together, so I was to meet Lorna outside. This time she was wearing the “big” dress and she looked even more lovely and fantastic than on Friday. I might have skipped a few more heartbeats.
The blessing was beautiful and Lorna sang like a canary (she even claimed to have listened to my attempts at singing and proclaimed that I could be taught to sing properly – apparently love not only makes you blind, but also deaf) and it was fantastic. Standing up there and looking out over almost all of our family and friends was very moving.
After we had walked out there were hugs, introductions, pictures and a bit of confetti before we boarded Ruby (1930′s vintage Austin 7 – guess the colour) for a chugga-chugga-ride up to Rose Cottage. I’m not sure about time, it seemed to fly and it was all a whirlwind of emotions, people and I was feeling so incredibly happy that I can scarcely put it into words.
After a brief walk round the garden we went and “hid” with Søren (photographer) and Sophie (the most able assistant in the world) for more pictures and then we did the group shots before finally settling down to eat, drink and listen to speeches.
The food was great (thank you Anise Catering), the wine flowed freely and between the courses speeches were made. They were all brilliant and great (even though my testes somehow made it into the best man’s speech) and quite a few tears were shed yet again. Funniest was Mimi, Sandra and Miriam’s “speech”. They readily acknowledged that they would be crying too much to speak so they had made a picture slideshow featuring us in our (much) younger years. The finale to the speeches was typically Danish. Mette had written a song for us (very Danish) to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” (very English) and it raised the roof and got people jumping up and down waving the Danish flag (Union Jacks were ordered but delayed in the post unfortunately – if you need 75 of them, let me know and I will send the message on to Mette).
After that we mingled a bit and in quick succession cut the cake, danced the bridal waltz, then had our first dance before I lost the tips of my socks (as per tradition) and then The Sirens played their first set which quickly filled the dancefloor. They were absolutely brilliant and really got the party going. The rest of the evening is something of a blur. I wasn’t drunk, but I don’t think I sat still for many seconds between dances, mingling and having the best time ever. I never got to taste the wedding cake or the cheese (although I made up for that on Sunday), but it was a fantastic party!
I think it was around 2.30 am when we finally collapsed into bed in the hotel, completely exhausted and tired and celebrated and married.
And that was it or rather this was a brief description of just some of the things that happened. Thank you all for coming, for helping out, for giving wonderful speeches, writing songs and finding pictures of us.
Alex.
