The Best Wedding Ever

I feel like I should give that title to my own wedding. But it was such a long time ago...it probably was just as great, but the hard-work achievements of marriage and family put the kick-off event into a whole different context decades (yikes!) later. I'm sure that will be true for CS and ZC too. But for now, let's focus on the sheer magic of their wedding.

Those of us not in the wedding party headed to Martinborough for coffee and cakes in the morning, a 15 minute drive in glorious sunshine.

The weather was the best of our entire trip, not a cloud in the sky, and warming up beautifully.

Back at the cottages, the wedding party arrived and got ready. DS took some beautiful photos in the grounds...

The rest of us got ready too....the older guys with HS:

Then off to the racecourse at about 2:45, leaving DS and CS behind to take the trip over there in ZC's sister's red Mazda sports car, artfully draped with white fabric across the grill to hide the evidence of an unfortunate prang two weeks earlier!

The bride was fashionably late, by design, so we had about 30 minutes to pose for photos...

And then get situated for the service:

And then, music started, and the bridesmaids/flower girls walked slowly in, and the service unfolded...

The minister read everything from an iPad....first time I've seen that! Otherwise, a traditional service. And a beautiful one, iPad and all.

There was general milling about and chatting while CS and ZC signed the register, plus drinking champagne once all was finished...

Then more milling while more official photos were taken elsewhere, and even some impromptu soccer/rugby/cricket!

Then people started drifting into the reception room...

...while other lingered outside.

Then the REALLY important people arrived...

After great food and highly amusing speeches (all of which were incredibly well done) it was time for the bouquet toss...

RS caught it, easily :)

Then there was nothing left to do but dance. And dance. We all danced till midnight. Crazy, exhausting, fun dancing.

What a perfect day.