Our Wedding || The Ceremony

So after our morning of getting ‘wedding ready’ it was time for the main event: The ceremony. Prepare for a gazillion photos here!

At 12.25 exactly (I’m known for being places on time, the wedding was no exception!), the car pulled up to the church with my Dad, Sasha and myself in it. Our adult bridesmaids, plus our other 5 flower girls and Freddie (as chief ring bearer, natch), were waiting for us. The church dates back to the 15th century and is very special to us: Sasha was Christened there, Adam’s family members have been married there, and one set of Grandparents are buried there. It’s in such a beautiful setting, and from the moment we first walked into it it had the loveliest feel.

Our vicar was called Jonathan, and is quite possibly the coolest vicar ever. A Dad of 3 young children, he ‘found his calling’ whilst at uni, and used to be an environmental lawyer before taking the plunge into dog collar wearing! 

He arrived to great us all and immediately it put me at ease more. He had quite a few of us to take charge of, so to speak, but did a great job- as did my adult bridesmaids, who helped round up the tiny ones. Our flower girls were Sasha, 3 of our nieces and my 2 God daughters, plus Freddie, and all aged 2-4, so it was a little like herding cats at times. Everyone made it into the church in the end though!

The girls’ dresses were from Monsoon, and I’m glad I went for these in the end. They all looked so cute and were given loads of compliments throughout the day! I ordered little headbands for them to wear, also from Monsoon, and our local florist made up diddy baskets of Gypsophelia for them to carry. 

Whilst we were rounding everyone up outside, Adam was waiting inside the church with his best men.

Lined up ready to go in, the music started playing (The Middle East, Blood), and weirdly I didn’t feel that nervous anymore- I was just keen to crack on and get married! I think there is so much build up to the Big Day, that you just want it ‘done’. All of the children did us proud, and were beautifully behaved going down the (thankfully!) short aisle.

I was so excited to see Adam (who looked tres handsome!), and again, felt much more at ease. This was it! 

After that the whole ceremony went really quickly. We had three hymns- All Things Bright and Beautiful, Jerusalem and He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands (chosen by Freddie and Sasha, it’s a hymn they learnt at preschool!). One of my bridesmaids, Lauren, did a lovely bible reading, and Jonathan himself did a couple of personal readings. He was so laid back and funny, and several of our guests (even non-churchy types!) said how great he was. 

I didn’t think I’d get too emotional saying our vows, but I have to admit that I did get a little teary once or twice!

After we were pronounced husband and wife, we went to sign the register, and could breathe a sigh of relief- we were now officially hitched!

Afterwards we walked down the aisle to huge applause from our family and friends to the Jackie Wilson song ‘Your love keeps lifting me higher’, and that to me felt like a really emotional moment, and I felt so happy to be doing it with my little family, watched by all the special people in our lives.

Afterwards we stood outside and chatted to our guests for a little while, whilst waiting for our bus to arrive to take everyone to the reception. I am SO thankful that the sun was shining! Stu also took a few snaps of myself, Adam and the children, before we hopped on the bus.

All in all I couldn’t have asked for a better ceremony, and everything went smoothly- no wayward children, no ring lost, and we kept cool heads under pressure (incidentally the song by Queen that we had playing whilst the register was being signed!).

Aren’t these guys the cutest?!

My cheeks ached from smiling so much by this point, I was so happy! We then piled on to the bus with the rest of our guests, to enjoy the short ride to the daytime reception. Freddie is still adament that this is favourite part of our wedding day, bless him. Oh to be in the mind of a 4 year old boy!

To be continued next week: The Reception!

Linking up with Jenny at Let’s Talk Mommy and ‘Share With Me’!