a proper English wedding...

And now, the happy occasion that was the impetus for our trip across the pond.  The beautiful wedding of Niall and Jo Baker at the Inn at Whitewell on July 29, 2011.  

 At the moment I snapped this picture, Doug turned and so sweetly smiled at Elaine as the ceremony began.  It instantly brought tears to my eyes because in that moment I saw in him a glimpse of my grandfather.  My dad and Doug don't resemble each other a whole lot, but they are both reminding me more and more of Grampie.  (Sorry guys, you're getting old I guess!)  However Doug's oldest son Niall does look an awful lot like my dad, which Jo thinks is hysterical.  

Below is Elaine's gorgeous hat.  I didn't get a proper picture of her dress, but it was gorgeous.  She had the dress, a wrap, and clutch made from fabric she brought back from a trip to India.  Lovely.  

 The happy couple.  They both looked stunning.  Only one small slip up, Niall's "button hole" (or boutonniere as we call it) had been mixed up with the cake topper!  You can see in the picture below it was quite large and had a spray of greenery that was tickling his neck!  When they came into the reception tent the cake was bare and everyone had quite a laugh.  

 The vicar called Joanne and Niall, "Joanna and Neil" throughout most of the ceremony.  Her poor mom (or mum as it might be) cringed every time but eventually people just started laughing and it became the joke of the night in all of the speeches later on.  

 Rent the church and get the six old ladies and gents in the choir for free!  Comical.  

 Jo's dress was really beautiful and her hair piece was gorgeous.

 Everyone participates in the wedding photography and follows the whole process to witness the fun.

 The weather was pure perfection for the wedding day.  It was far and away the best weather we had over the entire trip.  And the location of the church and the Inn at Whitewell was as if in a story book.  

 Cousins Fiona, Stephen, and Fiona's husband, Chris.

 After the ceremony and photos, Pimms cups on the lawn.  Because we are at an English wedding, of course! 

 The view from the reception.  Not bad, eh?

 Pimms and a new wedding band.

Lots of yummy food, drinks, dinner, dessert, AND later "bacon butties" and "chip butties" and traditional wedding fruit cake and Madeira cake made by Elaine.  (Butties are sandwiches on buns and the chip buttie is a bun with french fries inside.  This is basically 'keep the party going' food that comes much later in the night.)  

 "Speeches" play a big part in the reception and are longer than our toasts and mostly somewhat jabbing roasts of the couple.  

The sun setting but the party still going.  The wedding ceremony started at 2pm and we finished the night with the bride and groom and about 20 of their friends in the bar at around 1am.  Epic!

Many congratulations to Niall and Jo and many thanks for including us in your celebration!