Friday Wedding

Noon on a Friday may not be the normal time for a wedding, however, this was a wedding involving an Indian!  The vicar hails from Halesowen, but spent most of his time in Oxford.  His father was an Indian who came over many years ago and became, or perhaps was, an Anglican vicar.  Therefore when his daughter is getting married it is done in Indian style, even though the groom is English. 

Grooms do not matter on wedding day, they just say "I do," and shut up while the girls "coo" and "aaaaaah" over the bride.  The boys just admire the Rolls-Royce's. 

Last Saturday they had the eating celebration part, I did not make it, but the food was overpowering they say.  Being Indian style, presents, mostly of money, are handed over, I think as contribution to the funds.  There was certainly money amongst this lot today, Asians work, and work hard!  

Today there were no presents, just a ceremony in St Peters, a church that does all the dressing up stuff, all which makes good pictures for the photographers.  (Not me however, I left that to them).   Dad officiated, his mate Geoff led, and the choir led with a song that went on too long and was beyond most of us.  That is after the Indians had gathered!  Timekeeping is not their best habit, especially when coming a distance, and with kids, so the noon start was not expected and did not arrive!

However, all went well, Jesus was preached, 'Love' was spoken off, the brides mother was happy and relieved, the vicar beamed, the couple sat in the white Rolls Royce, one of three, the black one once used by Princess Margaret, and cameras and phones took pictures everywhere.  

Few from St Paul's appeared, work and other commitments holding them back, and so I felt out of place here, especially standing beside the Rolls.  

Sadly my pictures inside the church were none to good, however, this matters not as hundreds will be found elsewhere.  So, outside I just took shots of the people, though far too many people standing in my way for the pics I wanted.  I did manage a few of the young women however, quite by chance.

Standing around was not doing me any good, so off to Sainsburys on a Friday afternoon, to save me rising early in the morning, and bought some Onion Bhajis, again by chance.  Then home to seek a physio or a matron to ease my aches.  

Typical, none available...

A Wedding Today

One of our attractive and intelligent young ladies got herself married to her Knight in Shining Armour today.  I mean Knight as he turned up at the museum one day on a horse, wearing armour, with a Paige to accompany him, got down on one knee and proposed!  At first she thought it was someone trying to sell their services to the museum but eventually understood who it was when he removed the helmet, just as well she said 'Yes.'
So today, in front of a supportive crowd, they became man and wife with all the full palaver of an Anglican wedding service.

Bridesmaids abounded, women scrubbed up well, men in suits, even I had a bath!  Two people didn't recognise me!  The hymns were mumbled, the prayers followed, the address was short and the people stood outside for ever as the photographers, at some cost, made the video and took pictures.  

As you can see all were entranced by the proceedings, their eyes constantly on the bride.  On the left sat the brides side, mostly the grooms on the right.  As she arrived as one the woman looked at the dress and murmured, the men murmured also but differently.  One side wondered what she saw in him, the other how he got his hands on her.  All wondered how dad was going to pay for this lot! 

This is a proper Low Anglican church, evangelical and a wee bit middle class.  It has stood here for around 800 years and who knows how many are buried in the grounds?  It is thought the Saxons ans even the Romans buried folks around here so the archaeologists of the future will have a great time digging in this hill.

Some began to find time dragging, we were twenty minutes late when we actually began as the photographers fussed around outside.  Some began to look for alternative enjoyments.

Soon my women and I tumbled out to greet the happy couple one by one, this took some time!  Then more pictures were took and almost everyone had a camera or fancy phone to picture the individual groupings lined up, even us lot were in one alongside the happy couple, in spite of him saying " OI! Keep away from her you" just because he knows me.

 Having arrived in style, the happy couple departed in style.

Drawn by two white horses.

As we speak they are now dancing the night away at an expensive wedding venue, although the happy couple may well be on their way to the honeymoon of their dreams.  I suspect Honolulu, Guam and Skegness have been considered for this but where they go I know not.  I asked about the reception but was told they already have a drunken uncle, from 'his' side, a lecher, from 'his' side, two or three for the fight, from 'his' side and as there appeared no opening for me I came home to listen to the football results and burn my dinner.

How unusual to attend a wedding!  I have not been at one for around 25 years now and there used to be one a month at one time.  As always it is interesting to note how people behave, to recognise those who doubt the worth of the bride or groom, the one scared to be in a church, those who meet the family only at such events, and to watch how Englishmen, and these were almost all Englishmen, behave.  This lot behaved well, the couple are happy, the couple are popular and everyone appeared content to be here today. 

I enjoyed my day as the lass was happy and I am glad for her.  All will be well here.