Congratulations, Mr & Mrs Everitt!

On Bank Holiday Friday, two very good friends of mine were wed, at the Sculpture Gallery, Woburn Abbey. I could sing their praises here extensively, but that would be sickening, so I'll just say that I'm very happy for them both, and if they're as happy when married as they always seemed to be beforehand, then they'll have the blissful marriage they both deserve. Sycophantic rant over.

The wedding. Emma arrived to a string trio playing Nothing Else Matters (Orchestral - Hetfield/Ulrich, Op. 35), looking as beautiful as you'd expect a bride to look onher wedding day (I know, I said I'd stopped the sycophancy). She joined her groom at the front of the hall, who was looking rather fetching himself. The service started with a reading from The Velvetine Rabbit, and then the standard vows, as well as some the couple had written themselves. There was a poem Ben wrote, read by Uncle Byron, and then the couple left, covered in rose petals to The 'Arrival of The Queen of Sheba' (Instrumental, Lennon/McCartney). The gathered folks then stood outside for a few drinks and a general chat, while the photographer did her business. Dinner was a grand affair, three delicious courses and some well-chosen wines. Notes on each table introduced everyone to everyone else - they read 'Can you guess who...' followed by an allusion to an entertaining event about each person. Preemptive revenge for the best man's speech.

The speeches. I don't really remember much of the detail by this point - the wine was very good, but I won't forget the bride's brief address. She kept the speech short, but ended by leading everyone outside to the car she had bought her husband as a wedding present! Jaws dropped across the room...

More drinks and a rock disco and that about wraps it up (reminders of details welcomed in the comments). I think I can say without fear of contradiction that an excellent time was had by all. And there's a lot of couples who know Ben and Emma who have a big act to follow!