Post date: Nov 20, 2010 10:42:52 AM
So the day has finally arrived!
My niece Susan marries her partner of nearly 20 years today.
The day started with her husband-to-be staying the night at my place and we were practising our speeches. When the time came, we dressed into our finery (I gave away my niece Susan to Christopher at the ceremony, so Chris and I wore similar attire) and the car came to pick Chris, my Mam, stepdad Mac and myself up at 2.15pm.
We had a bit of a delay before the ceremony started, but all the congregation went in and I waited outside with our Jennifer and June (the bride's sister and mother). Susan arrived with Charlotte, Alishia and Charlotte's boyfriend Josh. After a few minutes preparations, and full of nervous tears, our Susan and I walked the aisle to the ceremony room, where our Chris was waiting for her. Our Susan was extremely nervous and actually walking with her down the aisle just seemed to pass in a daze! The ceremony lasted for about 25 minutes, and after just those minutes, two people who had shared their lives together for nearly 20 years, did so officially, on paper!
We all made our way back to the Triple S social club in Skegby. I sat at the top table at the side of our June as I had given Susan away. We had a three-course meal, consisting of soup, cold meats and salad and a choice of desserts - I had apple pie and cream. Then the waitresses came round with the champagne, and it was time to make my speech! I think it went down like a lead balloon, and then it was our Chris's turn for him to make his speech. In it they thanked me for giving away our Susan and they both brought me a watch, which was a lovely, and unexpected gift.
The evening came, and more and more family members turned up. The disco was quite good and the evening buffet was very nice. At 8pm, my sister Karen arrived with her daughter Carla and ex-husband Pete. They stayed until about 9.30pm, before saying their goodbyes.
As a one off event, all five of my Mam's children were together - this is a very rare event, and because of this, we had our photograph taken. It was a lovely occasion and a rare chance for us to celebrate a mini celebration of our own.
We ended the night at around 10.30pm, as it had been a very long day and my Mam was starting to fall asleep on my stepdad's shoulders. My nephew Roy, who is brother to the bride Susan, didn't have a drink because he had his partner and children with them, and he took them home first, and then came back for us.
All in all it was one of the most magical days our family has ever celebrated and will always stay in memory for the wonderful day and night it was.
Congratulations to my niece Susan and nephew-in-law Chris. I love both you to two and the kids very dearly! xxx