Sunday 8 April 2012

Paparazzi, knees up and a Rolls Royce wedding!

The Weller/Willson/Verduyn women presented the stunningly beautiful bride and the most spectacular, seemingly no expense spared wedding and reception I have ever been to. Even the mother of the bride in her new outfit was outshone and groom, best man and bride's father were decked out in new suits, waist coats and cravats. My suit tails had to be snipped loose at the last minute when an eagle-eyed bridesmaid, just before entering the church, noticed the cotton still in place.

Ivory was the colour of Becky's sweeping dress and train; grape and clover for the four bridesmaids' dresses.

From the outset, the paparazzi were out in force in the shape of Linda's youngest brother's wife, Anna Verduyn whose camera work definitely outshone Duncan's and his official photos. Her 153 photos were on Facebook and disc in a matter of hours!

The photo on the wedding invitation of the two youngsters made me laugh out loud when I opened our invitation to "Mum and Dad! (seems silly writing your names in!)". It was far and away the funniest, the most original and best invitation card I have ever had.

Gordon Willetts rolled out his meticulously maintained 1923 Rolls Royce and was the most perfect chauffeur in his cap, with starting handle to hand. He even provided his own homemade, smoked salmon sandwiches and champagne in the hefty picnic hamper for the happy couple as the Rolls easily purred up the steep Hagley Wood Lane to take them from one photo shoot location to the next. Smoke bombs added to the photos atmosphere in the woods of the Clent Hills that, this time, our in-house, home-grown, very own, paparazzi photographer was just unable to match!

The service was conducted by our much loved pastor of 84, Leslie Hardwick, whose perfect message was a reminder to all of us, not just to love one another but to tell our spouses and partners just that - and frequently. It was the first wedding in the new building, that was packed out with guests and friends. Only now has it dawned on us that we should have asked Brian Gastinger to film the whole service rather than the snippets that he did do, without being asked, so well.

I thought that the sudoku on the wedding order of service would be so easy that it could be done by some bright spark while the register was being signed. Little did I know. Only three people have told me they have done it and I am still persevering! It was quite wicked of Becky and Tim to tax my brain like that!

Entrance of the bride was to 'Butterfly Waltz' - Brian Crain. Recessional 'Beautiful Day' - U2.


The reception was in the early 17th century tithe barn that is now the church hall in the village of Belbroughton at the other side of the Clent Hills from Halesowen. A hog roast and numerous cakes and desserts to pig out on - many prepared and cooked by Becky - were part of the celebration.

Outside the entrance, guests were offered free ices from an ice cream tricycle vendor ( a surprise known only to Becky and Tim), before entering to receive a welcome glass of Bucks fizz or orange juice. As we entered we were greeted with long tables resplendant with a huge variety of spring flowers in colours to match the theme of purple, green, white, ivory etc and a host of lit tea lights to add sparkle to the ivy and beads which adorned the length of each table runner. The room was decorated with fairy lights, bunting created by Becky and Linda and, a room for leaving a written or 'dress yourself up' photo memory/message for the bride and groom. Music from a harp and violin completed the setting.

Becky and Tim were toasted to successfully climb many more summits not to be conquered but, rather, fleetingly visited at the mountains' behest. Outside the barn, Becky threw her bouquet a great distance over her shoulder to be caught by a lucky guest who now expects to be the next bride. A barn dance, with a live band of Becky's friends, rounded off the day. Sparklers for all were also lit at the very end, to create an archway for Becky and Tim to walk through as they were driven off to Brockencote Hall for their first night.

Becky and Tim departed six days later for their Exodus Expedition honeymoon to Manaslu in the Nepalese Himalaya.

Speeches from the groom and best man will be on this blog, in due course.

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