And I didn't cry once!...(well almost didn't!)
Phew! That's it, all done and dusted. Laughter and tears and a whole range of emotions. And that was just watching the bloody rugby on the morning of the wedding!
The night before I took all of our clan to mates pub for dinner. We aren't a huge family, I suppose about average. After the meal we had arranged to drive into Alnwick to meet the bride's clan from Dublin.
Now, I have drunk with the occasional Irishman before, and it was fine. Except now there were twenty of so of them. Gawd they are noisy! All of the craic was centered on one thing ... the rugby in the morning! For the unfamilar there is a World Cup going on down under and Ireland were playing Wales and England were playing France on the 'morrow. We all confidently expected to be playing each other next Saturday in the semi's.
So next morning I cooked scrambled eggs and toast with smoked salmon and champers as we settled down to watch both games. Someone obviously hadn't told the French and Welsh about this 'cos they stuffed us both! (apologies to my Welsh friends on here! We're rooting for you now ... honest!)
Then we had to get dressed. This must be the one and only time it took longer for the men to dress than the women. I haven't worn a full dress kilt for thirty years of more and I'd forgotten what a faff it is! All of the buckles and pins and tucking etc! But it was worth it.
The
groom is between myself and Captain Matt.After this pic we set off to walk to the church via a pub for a wee dram. I was great fun walking through the town ... we stopped the traffic!
We did
reach the church in good time eventually. It was such a
thrill to see all of the friends and family gathered together for a
happy occasion. All of my choir crew were there too to sing
during the signing of the registar.My only real lip wobble moment (well one of them) was when when Clare appeared. She looked so happy and beautiful it took a huge effort to control myself. The stand in vicar was a star too and the cheer that rent the church when he announced them man and wife was amazing (another lip wobble moment!) Then the choir sang. Normally I would be in the front row with them, so I have never actually heard them sing before. They are bloody good! (maybe it's 'cos I wasn't singing with them!) Another lip wobble moment. In fact I had to look away from them as I don't think it would have looked good for the grooms father to be in floods of tears when his choir is singing!
When we
left the church it had started to drizzle a bit, but nothing
drastic. To be honest it was very Autumnal with umbrella's
and some woodsmoke drifting up from a fire in a garden.
Mrs Mac
in grey and my best mates wife. They get bonnier every
day!
The beautiful bride.
I must point out the Japanese tourists in the background...they had never seen anything like it!
The bouquet was caught by the bride's younger sister, although I'm not sure it was in her hands long enough to qualify as a catch. She flung it straight back over her head in horror!
The girls used to do Irish dancing years ago and it didn't take much to drag them onto the floor with the floor with the ceilidh band!
As father of the groom I was not expected to give a speech. The bride's father was superb, as was the grooms. As for the best men ... we'll gloss over that!
Clare did ask me half-way through the night if I would sing a song. My best mate and I had no guitars there so we sang them a couple of acappella numbers. Bear in mind we had been drinking, but we thought it sounded fine!
I read OFP's words of advice on my privious blog this morning and by chance seem to have followed most of his tips. I gave my wallet to the barman and asked him to let me have it back when it was empty!
Mrs Mac and I are escaping to the lakes next weekend for a few days debauchery!
So that's it! I promise I wont mention the wedding ever again!
ps. (oops I fibbed) this last pic here was meant to appear earlier in the blog but my finger slipped!
Cheers and thanks for all of your well wishes. It really is much appreciated!
Mac x
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22 Comments
But, go on, spill the dirt - what happened with the best man's speech.
I totally cried during my own wedding - mind you, if you'd seen what I was marrying . . .
Now, are you ready to be a grandpa?! I bet you'd make a great grandpa... ;-)
Looks like a real barn-burner. Glad everyone survived.
The hat battle must have been brutal.
It must be a day of no regrets and sounds as if you had one.
Enjoy your weekend of debauchery and don't forget to post those photo's as well.
Best,
Prop (I bet on France and pocketed £200 sovs.)
I can't: it's Wales - France next!
You all looked great and it's such a relief when the day is as good as you hoped.
...and relax.
Lovely :)
Good luck Richard...and yay for the kilts!
Ta Gels...I know you especially have a soft spot for a kilt!
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