After almost two years of planning Bridezilla and her faithful and patient paramour finally got hitched.
In other words, my lovely niece Pippa and her gorgeous groom Dan pledged their future together in a moving church ceremony which was followed by a reception at the local golf club.
Beautiful dress
A beautiful Spring Saturday dawned in rural Hampshire and a few close family and friends helped to put the last minute touches to the reception venue before returning to our hotel to spruce ourselves up for the 1.30pm wedding ceremony. Pippa was a little late, as is the bride’s perogative, but looked absolutely stunning in the perfect wedding dress which she had spotted in a bridal magazine and hunted down with relentless determination. Bridezilla doesn’t really describe this process adequately but let’s just say that when Pippa makes her mind up I wouldn’t want to be standing in the way of her target!
The service was lovely and any residual formality and tension was broken by Dan the Groom when he was a bit too eager with his promise of undying love and protection and chipped in with his answer to the declaration too soon! Even the Vicar was laughing as were Pippa and Dan who managed to headbutt each other in the process. More laughter ensued and the congreation was given a few moments to calm down and regroup before the ceremony continued.
Caroline
I was honoured to read a passage from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin during the proceedings. I had introduced Pippa to the book when it was first published, and the words are particularly poignant.
“Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your root was so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.”
After the ceremony, the traditional photographs were taken before we all travelled across to the Reception where we were met by a four-piece jazz band, “Acoustic Jass.” They were brilliant and were just what was needed to bridge the gap before Pippa and Dan arrived.
We then had our meal, listened to the speeches, witnessed the cutting of the amazing birdcage cake, the first dance before the party really started. There was also a Props Booth for people to dress up and act silly which was the source of much hilarity and great photos!
I left quite early in the evening as I was extremely tired and had a long drive to make on the Sunday but I left knowing that Pippa and Dan are meant for each other and a brilliant day was shared by all.
Congratulations Pippa and Dan!
Pippa and Dan
Poppyposts 