Halesowen Wedding by Duncan Cox

I started the day at Becky’s parents house in my parent’s hometown of Halesowen in Worcestershire. The day started cloudy with a promise of bright sunshine for the rest of the day. The weather man lied! There was one moment, all day, where the sun peeped through. I suppose we can be grateful it did not actually rain. Becky’s family were a lovely group of people who kind and loving towards their daughter and attentive to her needs. The house was buzzing with activity as it usually is on a wedding day. Dad busied himself with the catering while the ladies of the house rallied around Becky ensuring her dress was immaculate and the hair & make-up were completed to precision. I was particularly fond of the moment the dress was fastened by the bridesmaids, everything was a little tense as it always is, when all of a sudden, a large mirror appeared for Becky to cast her gaze of approval. The moment the young bridesmaid popped her head around the side is one of the quirky, comedy moments I love to capture. It illustrates the mood perfectly and gives a terrific flavour to the photographs of the bride preparations.
The ceremony was a beautiful service in a modern church a short drive away still in Halesowen, Worcestershire. It was a happy, emotional service with some excellent readings and glorious singing. As a wedding photographer, capturing the moment is paramount in my skill. If you shoot early it does not look quite right and too late, you have missed it. I personally think the moment that defined their wedding for me, was while walking down the aisle with her father. I had taken a few shots of Becky walking towards Tim, but I believe the perfect moment was once the happy couple were along side each other. Becky leaned forward to look deep into the eyes of her husband to be, while completely unaware of her father on her left arm just about keeping his composure. In one photo or one moment, it shows the depth of emotion being experienced in different ways around the room. Wonderful!

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.

Dartmoor Classic and bikes for weddings!

Would you two be interested - and tell Charlie - to do this over and around Dartmoor? Camp out on the Sat night as near as poss to the start.

Yesterday evening I cycled home from the office on my long route in the dark but also, for the first time, in rain that got going half way round. With the steel rims, it was really quite alarming not being able to bring myself to a stop! I overshot the alleyway to Peachley Close as I came down Dog Kennel Lane. Uffmoor Lane had to be taken at the slowest speed I have ever achieved - or not achieved - and there was a poor motorist behind me, whom I didn't let pass so I could see the road in his headlights! I did thank him when we got to the bypass.

I'm now trying out Halfords super lightweight racing bike mudguards on the new bike I've bought for Jonathan. The rear failed spectacularly on the first day but the replacement rear mudguard was fitted for free this afternoon. With the clips and straps on the pedals, I tried my brown pair of Hotter shoes, with air holes on the uppers this afternoon - and minus socks. My feet were sweating in Halfords while I waited for the fitting to be done but I was more comfortable once I got out on the road, even on a mild day. Halfords have a superb range of Chris Boardmen men and women's bikes. The women's are stunning white so would be ideal for arriving at your wedding, Becky, mounted on one - side saddle, of course! A white monocycle would mean less oil getting on the wedding dress, however but Halfords don't seem to sell them.

Halfords have a superb cross country Boardman, £899 machine, with drop handlebars, 20 gears, disc brakes and tyres that can take slick for racing or knobbly for towpaths, forest roads and bridleways. The width is between narrow racing tyres and wide MTB tyres. It is 4 lbs heavier than the £999 Boardman racing bike. I must find out if it can take a pannier rack for cycle camping/touring. I am very tempted! Interestingly, the Dartmoor Classic blurb mentions putting slick tyres on an MTB bike for their event.

I'm offering to buy mum a lightweight racing or hybrid bike - one of the dazzling white Boardman machines would be great for her, as well as for you, Becky on your wedding day. However, since she can so easily cruise up, in bottom gear, the two short but steep sections of Uffmoor Lane, she thinks the present heavy bike is just fine!

Can you give me Charlie's e-mail address, please Becky? I compliment you both on your entertaining writing skills of humour, spiced with keen observational skills and a healthy disrespect for this elder and his dazzling prowess on two wheels, including his cycling collection of, so far, one dislocated shoulder and one broken collar bone!