No ready rooms at the Hilton, but that was to be expected, so we left the cases on a trolley hoping they would put them in the rooms. After we saw a couple of friends, our taxi arrived and we whisked off to the venue, meeting up with A and M there.
The tables looked beautiful, and the cake had also arrived from Alexander Taylor's in Guildford. They had iced the three tiered family recipe fruit cakes. It was a fantasy of flowers and butterflies and one caterpillar and looked gorgeous. The choir, Enchant, were rehearsing and soon N and his Bestman, A arrived, so M retired up to the room upstairs. The photographer, Nick of Boundless Photos, came up and after a couple of photos arranged to return when we were lacing up the dress. Some friends came up to see M, and soon it was time to get her into the dress, lace it up, more photos and then in came the registrars for the all important pre-wedding chat and formalities. One last check of M's sash, and I went down to take my place in the ceremony room, catching up with family and friends on the way. Nearly everyone was seated, the registrars took their seats and the doors were closed. A hush came over us as the music filled the room - YoYo Ma playing the first of the Bach Cello suites; then the doors were opening and A and M walked in, down the aisle between the seats to where N was waiting; and with a light kiss, A handed M over to N and the ceremony began. The choir, Enchant, sang Purcell's 'If music be the food of love', the registrar took M & N through the vows and exchange of rings and then Laura and Charlie read ' by W H Auden 'O Tell me the truth about love'. Now it was time to sign the register as Enchant sang The Guillemots' Made up love song #34. Following the official signing, M & N moved round the table, took up a fancy quill pen and posed for photos, but soon the registrars were ready and presented them with their marriage certificate. The music began agin, this time the introduction to 'All you need is love'heralded the end of the ceremony and N & M smiling hugely, exited to the choir singing, and into the champagne reception.
Fizz and canapes circulated among the guests as a well ordered procession of photographs was taken on the lawn - a windy location, but it remained dry until the last group were captured by the camera - Boundless Photos taking boundless numbers of photos. The 22 children were well entertained with their party bags. We were called to take our seats in the so far secret other side of the barn, using the table plan and M's maps to find the right location. Everyone was delighted at the sight of the tables and soon discovered where they were sitting and when we were all settled, the Master of Ceremonies, Andy, called on us to welcome the new Mr & Mrs. The staff of Redhouse Barn now served us the delicious wedding breakfast prepared by Chef Anthony of Morgans - the level of service was excellent and the food outstanding.
Tian of lightly smoked trout and crushed avocado with cucumber pickle and a citrus dressing
(v) Quinoa Salad
Mint Lemonade
Roast rack of lamb with creamed celeriac, marjaoramand garkic crust with redcurrant and port sauce
(v) Mushroom risotto on butternut squash
Panache of vegetables and potatoes
Dessert Trio
Raspberry crème brûlée
Iced lemon posset with fresh berries and a tuille biscuit
Summer berry jelly
Tea & coffee, fudge and petit fours
As the dessert was cleared away, Andy introduced the speeches, first A, Bride's father, then N, the Groom and finally A, the Bestman; and with that out of the way, N & M cut the cake.
The room was partially cleared and the Ceilidh Band, Burdock, set up so the dancing could begin and we danced to midnight when a taxi swept M & N off to the hotel and the rest of us boarded the bus and followed them at a much more sedate pace. What a lovely, lovely day it has been, so full of friends, families and memories.
Morgans
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