Day to Day

The Wedding Day: 25th March 2014

I awoke to the distant sound of a beeping alarm clock in the next room and realising that my own lego darth vader clock still sat silent by the side of the bed I decided not to move. I must have closed my eyes because I opened my eyes again when I heard the same clock going off sometime later. Hearing a groan and then footsteps I realised that Tony was getting out of bed in order to get his son set for school. This was the start of a big day for Tony too and I knew that he wanted it to be perfect.

My own clock started a few minutes later. I realised it was now 7.00am and I literally sprang out of bed with excitement. This was the day I had been waiting years for, my wedding day. I was finally marrying the woman of my dreams and the adrenaline that was running through me was like nothing I have ever experienced.

I walked across the landing to the tip that was his son Kieran's room and popped my head round the door. I saw a sleeping lump covered in an array of various bed covers and when he opened his eyes and saw me I got a grunt. No idea what it was, but it grunted.. I spoke to him for a few minutes and afterwards proceeded downstairs where Tony was waiting with the most welcome thing possible, my first cup of tea.

Usually it takes me two cups of tea before I am able to function but today was different. I found myself able to open my eyes and have a conversation without having a sip. Strange what excitement and anticipation can do.

I looked out the back patio door and saw my sister standing on our decking. I was fortunate that we lived next to my best man and I had spent the previous evening and night here, as is the custom. I didn't want to catch even the slightest glimpse of my bride as I knew that it was considered bad luck. I spoke to Mandi briefly on the decking and she informed me that everyone but her was still asleep. This made me smile because I knew that my soon to be wife Deb had a very busy day ahead of her.

After talking to Tony for a while he left to drop Kieran of at his mates house because Tony was not going to be available all day. When he returned we had another drink and talked some more to pass the time. By 9.30 I knew that Deb would be down the town as her make up for the wedding was booked for 9.00am. Jeff turned up just after and once again we talked for a few. We had a sausage sandwich that was prepared next door and handed over the fence. I don't normally eat that sort of thing for breakfast but I knew I needed something as our wedding breakfast wasn't planned until 16.30. At almost 10.00am Tony dropped me at my mum's house to shower and get into my suit. As I entered her flat I caught a glimpse of my nephew Michael. He looked smart and a little excited about coming to our wedding. We exchanged a few words and while Tony was checking on his dad I decided to shower. I have no idea why because it is not something I normally do but I spent the whole time in the shower singing. Cant remember what I sang but I do remember singing. When I went to get ready after my shower I heard Tony enter the flat and he was directed into the room where I was so he too could get into his suit. The suits were very smart. They were a light grey and were accompanied by a waistcoat and cravat. The shirt was purple and my outfit was finished with a nice smart pair of black shoes that I had brought for my wedding. I felt refreshed and after adding Deb's favourite fragrance, which was Davidoff Cool Water, I felt ready to face the world. My mum was already in her outfit and after another cup of tea we returned to Tony's house to wait some more.

I kept taking my glasses off on the journey as I still didn't want to catch a glimpse of Deb, even by accident.

A few minutes after returning at about 11.15am another of our friends arrived in the form of Ely, who is Kieran's elder brother, and Rebecca, who is Ely's girlfriend. She went round to our house and Ely stayed with us. Everyone kept asking me if I was nervous or if the nerves had set in and I honestly told them that there were no nerves, only excitement and anticipation. They seemed surprised but as I explained I had been waiting for this moment for years and there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to get married, no second thoughts, no itchy fingers, no sweating palms, nothing. This was the day of my dreams.

We were sitting talking when in burst Rebecca to inform us of the plan. I was to wait in the house until about 12.30 after Deb and her dad Bryan had left in the first car. Rebecca would then knock on Tony's door to tell me it was safe to come out and get in the second car. Good plan? Well almost. You see there was one little flaw in it, namely that because Tony was my best man and he was taking his dad Mick, Jeff, Ely and Rebecca in his car, then he would have to leave at about 11.45 and the two wedding cars were not due until 12.30. Rebecca disappeared with this news and returned a few minutes later with the new plan, namely that my sister Mandi, who was also Matron of Honor, would knock on the door as she also was travelling in the second car.

After Rebecca and Ely posed for a quick photo, which I took, all of them left and I found myself all alone in the house with almost forty-five minutes to kill. There was nothing for it but to switch on my ipad that I had brought round the night before. The night before it had been 100% charged, but because I had been trying to pass time I had spent a fair while playing pointless games and luckily there was just enough charge to see me through.

The knock on the door startled me and I realised that my plan had worked and that forty-five minutes had flown by. I opened the door to see a Mercedes waiting for me with the door open. My sister Mandi and my mum got in the back and I got in the front. Debs mum Pamela was the last out of our house and she was having a problem locking the door. Very kindly the chauffeur went to help her and we soon found out what the problem was. It's very difficult trying to lock a door from the outside when someone has left a key on the inside. Enough said.

It had been raining on and off all morning and the journey to Leighton Hall was no different. Sometimes the rain was drizzly but other times it threatened to get heavier. We had been travelling about thirty minutes or so when I was warned by the driver that we were about to pass the first wedding car with Deb and Bryan in it. Quick as a flash I took my glasses off and closed my eyes to avoid seeing them. Before you say it I don't know why I took my glasses off and closed my eyes, it was a spur of the moment thing I guess. Anyway it worked because a couple of minutes later I was given the all clear and we continued on our journey. The journey passed quite quickly and before I knew it we were turning in to the grounds of Leighton Hall. As we drove down the long path that leads to the hall I could see my best man Tony standing outside waiting for me as arranged. I had told him that I would be bringing my stick to help me balance, I lied. All along I had no intention of bringing it but had to lie to avoid being told off. This was my wedding day and I was determined to make it through the day without a walking aid or medication, and I am happy to say I did.

As the car door opened and I stepped out I was greeted by the lady of the house Mrs Suzie Reynolds who beamed at me and welcomed me. Telling me that I looked dashing she then escorted me into the main hall where our usher Paul was looking stressed. In his hand he held a clipboard with various pieces of paper including the guest list and instructions if something went wrong, i.e. dj not turning up, photographer missing etc.. I walked through the hallway and was directed to what is known as the red room. Upon entering I was greeted by the celebrant who would be conducting the service and the registrar who would be filling in the registry. I was asked a few questions to confirm my identity and after a few smiles and a little laughter I was told that I could make my way to the music room, which was where the ceremony was taking place. It was only a minutes walk and I could hear the lovely sound of the piano as I got closer.

I entered the room and saw that almost every chair was occupied. After a small nod to the pianist I made my way to the front of the room where Tony was waiting for me. I had arrived a few minutes late to the venue so I didn't expect it would be long before I finally got to see my beautiful bride. I was wrong.

I was standing there for over ten minutes and this was where it became obvious that I had no jacket pockets because according to observers I looked like I was nervously looking for somewhere to put my hands. To add to this little hiccup my leg also started to go to sleep on me and so I had to continuously move from foot to foot to keep feeling in it. I know this must have made me look like I was doing a Elvis impression and all that was short was me saying 'aaha'. I was starting to wonder what was going on or if I was about to receive a message that would break my heart when Pamela entered the room and took her seat on the front row. This filled me with relief and a smile appeared on my lips.

I faced forward and a couple of minutes later I heard the start of the wedding march and I waited in anticipation. After it had been played through once I found myself looking out of the corner of my eye to see if Deb and Bryan had entered. After two attempts I gave up and just faced forward. I heard a couple of gasps and I slowly turned round.

There coming towards me was the most beautiful image I have ever seen in my life, or ever likely to. I am a writer and a poet and I knew right then that no words existed on this planet to describe how Deb looked. She literally took my breath away and for a minute I thought I was in the wrong wedding, because there was no way a vision like that could be walking to someone like me, but she was. I stood for a couple of minutes as they drew close to me and I looked deep into the eyes of the woman that was about to agree to be my wife. In her eyes I could see that there was no doubt, no hesitation, no second thoughts, this was it.

We stood for a couple of minutes and the celebrant addressed us all. When it came to the moment where Bryan released her hand to mine I could see genuine pride in his eyes and he knew that I would do anything for his daughter and that the love we shared was special and eternal.

We held hands and I felt tremors go through me like I had never known. The excitement was immense and I could not stop smiling. We listened and recited. We stared into each others eyes and repeated everything that was asked. When it came to the handing over of the rings there was a tiny hiccup. Tony had left the pillow in the box and the two rings were so well attached to it that we couldn't untie them. The entire congregation, including us and the registrars laughed as Tony struggled to get them loose. I helped him by saying my vows slowly to give him time to untie the second ring. The ceremony resumed and when we made our declarations we were pronounced husband and wife. I was in heaven. This beauty that was standing beside me was now my wife.

I felt so amazing that I later told Tony that if at that moment I had been struck by lightning that at least my life would have been complete before it happened. There was nothing I no longer wanted. I had the hand of my lovely Deb in matrimony.

We sat and waited for the registrar to prepare the register for us to sign. Deb had a bit of a job sitting down as her train was quite long and kept getting in her way. At one point the registrar pinned her to the floor by it. We had a few photo's taken of us doing the real signing and then we pretended to sign again while family and friends got some snaps.  I made deb giggle because after pretending to sign a couple of times I handed her the pen and said 'Your turn babes, the pen has run out'

Well we sat for a while longer until we were given our official marriage certificate and the other copies which we had asked for.

It was now time for us to leave the room and we did so to a cacophony of cheers and whistles. Our exit music played and we made our way into the hall and across the passageway to wait outside the small chapel that was concealed in one of the rooms. I didn't know at the time but we had to wait until the registrars had left before the doors to the chapel could be opened. All the while Suzie kept asking people if they had left yet as our vicar Father Damian was apparently waiting for us. After a few minutes guests started milling past us and other than the selected ones that were to be in the blessing with us, the rest made their way into the hall where we had arranged for refreshments to be served.

We entered the Red room and sat around for a few minutes before we were informed that we could now go to the chapel. Upon entering we made our way to the front and the close family took their places. Father Damian had a beaming smile as he welcomed us and after a short service and a reading from Pamela we were blessed and both of us felt more married, if that is possible.

We stayed behind for a couple of minutes so Ashley could take some pictures of us in the chapel while the rest of the people left.

As we re-entered the hall guests were milling about and generally chatting and laughing which we were both pleased to see and also family and friends that didn't know each other were getting acquainted. Ashley informed us that it was still raining outside but that he had an idea for a quick confetti shot. Everyone gathered outside and while avoiding as much of the rain as possible we stepped out of the front of Leighton hall to be greeted by two showers, one of confetti and the other of rain. It was a clever idea and having seen the photo's I can say that it worked really well.
We also had time to have a couple of photo's taken in the official wedding car, a 1954 Austin Somerset, and it was a thing of beauty.

The next hour or so consisted of us being taken into various rooms for more photos. Ashley was very clever and arranged some really interesting shots and angles. The guests meanwhile were all enjoying themselves and their laughter could be heard all over the house.

At 4.30 Ashley asked us if we could just spare another ten minutes before the wedding breakfast for a special shot that consisted of all the men lifting deb horizontally and draping her over their arms. It took a few to set up because Bryan kept messing about and having us all in hysterics. Eventually we got the shot and a few minutes later we entered the dining area for our wedding breakfast.

Let me say to anyone who doesnt know but Deb made all the decorations, from the table names, to the menu's, from the candle bowl decorations to the crystals all over the tables. She had even made two message boards. The first one was in the main porch and was to inform people exactly what they were attending. This was decorated with flowers and a butterfly and looked amazing. The second one was a pure work of her brilliant imagination. It was a fairly big board and on it were stuck the table seating plans in the order that they were in the dining room. Each one was a flower name and had the names of all the people allocated on each card. This was then criss-crossed with various coloured ribbon and finished with decorative butterflies. It was a sight to behold I can tell you.

Well we sat down to the meal and once again the room was filled with conversation. The food was exquisite and I could see from looking around that not one person was disappointed with it. The wine flowed and there was a lovely atmosphere, relaxing and serene. The food came and went and the coffee and chocolates were served. Deb had gone to mingle and chat to various people and I had the opportunity to sit and reflect on the day so far. It was hard to describe how I felt right then but seeing all the guests, here for us. Hearing the laughter. Watching Deb as she made her way from table to table. It filled me with such a wonderful feeling that it brought a tear to my eye. She was like an angel and it still amazed me that out of all the men in the world she had chosen me and I felt more special that I had ever done in my life.

Well 6.30 soon came and it was time for the speeches. Up stepped Bryan and straight away the room was rolling with laughter as he pulled his speech from his pocket. Both me and Deb had no idea what was to follow, so when he produced a roll of toilet paper we literally cracked up. All week he had been threatening to write his speech on toilet paper and here he was producing it. After the laughter died down he handed it to Deb who had hidden behind her hands and he produced his real speech.

Well he started by pretending he could not read it and after messing with the paper for a few minutes and uttering and muttering he finally started to read out and reveal his true thoughts and feelings. Deb sat listening and I could see that she was close to tears with what her dad was saying. He told her how proud he was of her and he leaned down and kissed her. When he also welcomed me into the family I pursed my lips and help my hands out. The room literally exploded with laughter and Bryan made to leave the room quickly. He finished off with a small story about Debs birth and then he sat down and it was my turn.

I stood slowly looking out at the gathered guests and started reading. I did the usual stuff, thanking guests and staff. We handed out gifts to my best man Tony, Debs matron of honour Mandi, both mums, Pamela and Elaine, the brides father Bryan and our usher Paul. I also read out a couple of names of people that were not there for various reasons, including my late father and my sister Paula. I then went on to read out a poem that I had written especially for Deb.

Describe a dream, it may come true

For what was lost, I found in you

Once I was blind, but now I see

A path to follow, my destiny

The grass it shall be greener

And no more blue could be the sky

Than how it is from this day forward

And if you ask the question why

I shall smile and say to you

You are my world, my heart, my life

No more could I want to make me complete

Today you are my wife.

©Sonofdel 2014

When I finished Deb stood and hugged me and she was crying again. I told her how much I loved her and when she had sat back down I continued. It was usual light hearted stuff about the day we met and it was greeted with small bits of laughter. Almost at the end of my speech I finally mentioned two people that in the years that me and Deb had been together had been behind us all the way and we were both so sorry that they could not be there to share our special day. We toasted our Auntie and Uncle, Pauline and Tony Evans and after a few more words I handed over to Tony.

He also started in the traditional way of thanking us for the gifts, telling us that we were a special couple etc.... I say its expected but anyone there could tell that the words were genuine and not just something copied. He was saying how he felt and you could see it in his eyes. He got a few laughs with comments about princes and frogs which most people know and also with little snippets of events that happened in the eight years we had known him.

Well after the speeches there was just a little time to talk to some more guests and get a few more photo's before the bar opened and the night time entertainment started. We had told people not to buy us alcoholic drinks but if they did want to then they could put a pound or two in our 'honeymoon' jar which we had placed on the bar. The evening buffet was popular although we didn't have any of it ourselves. We didn't lay on a big spread as the wedding breakfast was just a couple of hours earlier and we knew people would still be full from that.
The time to cut our magnificent wedding cake was now at hand and we were absolutely stunned by it.  It had been made by Janet who was our friend Sarah's mum from Leicester.  It was a three tier masterpiece of ribbon, icing and roses and it was on a silver spiral stand that had been personally decorated by Sarah with purple glitter and butterflies.  It truly was amazing.  Everyone had commented on it all day and when we told them that Janet had never made a wedding cake before it left some of them speechless.  We enjoyed cutting the cake once we figured out the proper way to cut it.

A few minutes after 8.00pm the DJ announced that we were to do our first dance. We had chosen Savage Garden's I Knew I Loved You. It was personal to us as I sang it to Deb on our first date. We held each other close and looked into each others eyes as we danced. It was magical. As it came to an end we were encouraged by the Dj to grab others and drag them onto the dance floor, which we duly did. Everyone was full of smiles.

The next dance was a very poignant time in the evening because it was the dance between Deb and Bryan. They had chosen the classic Moon River by Andy Williams. It had a nice slow tempo and they both waltzed to it. I couldn't hear what Bryan said to Deb but by the time the record was over she was in floods of tears, tears of joy and love.

Our first big surprise of the evening came when two of our guests, our friend Ian and his girlfriend Pauline arranged with the Dj to do an impromptu version of YMCA. Everyone had a great laugh and Ian kept it going with snippets such as 'come on' and 'you know the rest' spoken at a loud volume.

No one die of shock but I actually decided to get up and dance myself and when the twist came on I tried my best. I looked out of place but this was my wedding night and nothing was going to stop me. After this I hung up my dancing shoes for a while and spent an hour or so just chatting to various people.

Well the second surprise of the evening came a short while later in the form of cousin Kate who amazed us with her rendition of Sarah Mclachlan's 'Angel'. It was amazing and I am sure that everyone who was still there was speechless. She has a great voice and is currently trying to launch a singing career. Good luck.

Well time flew by so fast and as it approached 11.00pm we left the dance floor to get into our leaving outfits. For me this consisted of just taking my waistcoat and cravat off, but for Deb it meant finally getting out of her wedding dress which she had been wearing for almost twelve hours. A few days later while helping her to put it back into its dress cover I finally found out just how heavy it was and believe me I was shocked. Almost dislocated my shoulder holding it on the coat hanger. Well we got into our outfits and proceeded back downstairs to the dance floor where the DJ announced our last dance. We had chosen Christina Perri's 'A Thousand Years'. I knew Deb would sing the lyrics as she had sung it before but she was shocked when I sang them back to her. She didn't know but for the last few weeks since deciding on the song I had been secretly learning the lyrics. Well the final dance ended and everyone came to hug us and say what a great day they had had. Pamela approached me and placed an envelope in my hands and told me that our destination was contained within. This was a nice surprise that Bryan and Pamela had arranged for us. They said it was traditional for the bride and groom to stay somewhere other than there own home on their wedding night.

As we left to everyone's good wishes a waiting taxi took us to our destination. I opened the envelope on the journey and found a booking reservation for the Longlands Inn, Carnforth. When we arrived we had to make our way to the bar because by that time it was almost midnight and the main entrance was closed. The receptionist booked us in and gave us a key with a security fob for getting in and out of reception. We went upstairs and entered our room which was number 11. Now I have seen king size beds and queen size beds but this was the biggest bed I had ever seen in my life. It was a bed for at least four people. I looked around the room and noticed that there was no phone. As we had just been told that breakfast was served between 7.30 and 9.30 we realised we had no way to make sure we were awake. I decided to take a stroll back down to reception and arrange a wake up call. I went downstairs and after arranging a 8.00am shout I tried to go back upstairs. In my haste I realised I had inadvertently left the security tag for the door upstairs with Deb. I pondered my situation for a few minutes and wondered how I was going to get through the door without looking like a prize wally. Luckily at that moment through the glass door I saw Deb coming downstairs toward me. It turned out that she was thirsty and had not seen anything to drink in our room, so I was saved from humiliation. We went back upstairs and finally had chance to sit and talk about the day and how fast it had gone.

Before we left there had been a little commotion about Debs stockings not being in a bag in the room we were to change in and I had wondered what all the fuss was about. It was only as we sat and talked that the reason became apparent. In the missing bag with the stockings in, Deb had also secreted a surprise present for me in the shape of an engraved pocket watch. It was superb and is a lasting memento of the greatest day in my life, so far.

Well we lay down and we did what I think most married couples do on their wedding night............................We fell asleep in each others arms, worn out from a most amazing day.