The Wedding Singers

I meant to write about this a couple of weeks back (when I was still on the crest of a wave just after the event), but somehow other things got in the way and I didn't get the chance to do my big write up.

My really really good friend and long-term colleague John got "civilly partnershipped' (married) to his lovely boyfriend Rich in a beautiful wedding just two weeks ago. I have to confess that things were not looking good in the build up... Mark was pouting massively in the weeks beforehand as he had to miss his beloved Histon play that day in favour of going to a wedding for people he didn't know (my fault that one - and circumstances with timing schedules!). Anyway, as it turns out - his pouting was very short lived (sometimes I under estimate him - perhaps due to past experiences with ex's - mention no names), and we had a fabulous day from start to finish!

First off a coach picked us up from Bexley station to take us to the registry office (I was expecting a little minibus - but no, a full on coach arrived!), where all the guests were in very good form - and the boys had organised for hand-warmers to be distributed, and Sloe Gin to be dispersed amongst the guests... (this was to be the start of an entirely alcoholic day!). The ceremony was held in a beautiful Georgian Manor House in Sidcup - a very emotional affair, with two beautiful flower girls in tow, and John and Rich in lovely matching grey suits. I don't believe that there was a dry eye in the house when they said their vows. Very special. Not a single detail had been overlooked - we were even provided with white petals for confetti!

Back onto the coach (more Sloe Gin!) and on to the absolutely stunning Hall Place in Bexley for photographs. This was a beautiful Tudor hall, with a photograph studio setup in one of the amazing rooms - and all the usual formal wedding photographs were taken. The coach took us to our final destination of the afternoon; a lovely Italian restaurant called Ferrari's Modern Italian Brasserie... Rich and his work colleagues had decorated the place in the days leading up to the wedding - it was absolutely crammed full of stunning floral displays, fairy lights and swarovski crystals. Wedding favours included delicious white chocolate dipped strawberries for the men (delicious - I stole Mark's - heh), and beautiful crystal perfume bottles for the women. John and Rich had really pulled out the stops here... free-flowing wine, and a wonderful menu (so many choices!). John's speech was just perfect - and it was full of lots of happy smily people! We ended up sitting next to an old school friend of John's (called Rachel) and her boyfriend Steve. They were a real scream, and made the afternoon even more enjoyable than the delicious food already had (I had an absolutely beautiful fillet steak, and a banoffee pie that was to die for!!).
 


This is where things start getting a little hazy... ahem (and at only 5:30pm!). We went back to John and Rich's place, via a small park. This was our moment of complete awe... we had fireworks, and then (a highlight!) we lit some beautiful heart shaped sky lanterns en masse, and watched them fly off several hundred feet into the air. I decided at that point that I need sky lanterns at EVERY SINGLE OPPORTUNITY - in fact, I might need to let them off nightly in memory of that occasion! HEH... Mark's pout had already been wiped off his face several hours earlier, but this took the biscuit... he was in 'pyromaniac aeronautical engineering' heaven! Just look at his little face here!!! ;-)

On arrival at John and Rich's place, we were met with even more surprises. There was a snow machine to greet us at the front door (their lawn looked like something out of a movie), cocktail waiters (to be my downfall!), a marquee, resplendent with huge sparkling reindeer, an amazing ice sculpture, and a large and very beautiful white chocolate wedding cake. I have to say that the rest of the evening becomes a complete blur - in fact I can guiltily admit that I remember little after 9pm... ahem. I must have been upright still as there are pictures of me helping to set off yet more lanterns (white this time) in the garden at 11:30pm, and several of me trying to sing along with the London Gay Men's Chorus (who made up a large portion of the guest list, and did an amazing 'set' in the evening - which I only just about remember clapping enthusiastically). I can only blame the cocktail waiters, who should have known that it is not right and proper to allow a 'lady' to drink quite so many 'Cosmopolitans', 'White Russians', and Champagne glasses. Very irresponsible ;-) I honestly don't think I have been quite that drunk in quite some time... shameful! I am just hoping that I didn't embarrass myself tooo much (the jury has been quiet on this front), as I know I am prone to being a bit of a blithering idiot when *that* stoked! We met some really nice people - including John's friends Tim, and another called Stefan. Ach well... anyway. The journey back to the hotel that night is a little sketchy, and the fried breakfast in the cafe in Bexley the next day was more than welcome!!! I can well and truly say it is one of the best weddings we have been to in a very long time - even Mark agreed that it was far better than a Histon match - great praise indeed! ;-)

Here are some more photos for your viewing pleasure! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74390&l=52621&id=586621578

Love, Peace and "Kiss the Bride!" as they say in Bexley
Hayls
xxxx