As Wagner’s ‘Bridal March’ was played on the organ I turned down the aisle and saw the faces of dear friends especially those of Peter who mouthed wow and Mari who had tears streaming down her pretty cheeks. It was then that I could not hold onto my own tears any longer, I tried with every single ounce to muster composure, but the tears flowed. When I reached the altar Nathan turned to look at me and he was crying too. The vicar gave his address and I had to put operation radiant bride into action. I suspected I would cry so I thought rather than wiping away the tears with my fingers and then running the risk of a black mascara stream trickling onto my white dress I would use an antique lace handkerchief. Then I was challenged with where I should store the handkerchief, should I give it to Brooke or Mark to hold, but I didn’t want to disturb the ceremony. So I though the only option would be to hide it in my cleavage! This was quite a risky move as I was about to commit some sort of burlesque move in the house of God. Whilst the vicar cast his eye over the congregation I dove straight in and out in the blink of an eye. I did it, I had the handkerchief! At last I would look like Alice Cooper no more. Drying my eyes and sniffing underneath my veil, I managed to gain composure from somewhere. During Nathan’s favourite and our first hymn ‘All Things Bright And Beautiful’, Nathan and I managed to muffle a few words to each other just saying that we loved each other and that the other looked lovely. We are such chatty souls and we couldn’t keep it in any longer. Nearing the end of the hymn it was Brooke’s duty to lift the veil from my face, and she gave a kiss which set me off yet again! I love my little sister so very much and the fact that she was such an integral part of the day is just absolutely wonderful.
Then my dear friends Toria and Zoe both said their readings. Toria’s was from the bible and Zoe’s was a poem, both of which were read beautifully and it was so special to have them both partake in the day. The rest of the service was a bit of a blur, it all seemed to happen at breakneck speed and before we knew it we were singing our second hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ and about to say our vows and exchange the rings. Nathan and I concentrated with all our might and we said the vows clearly and without tears. During the rehearsal the previous evening, I assumed that I would cry my way through the vows; however I became a silly teenager with my incessant giggling at the mere mention of honouring Nathan with my body and our joining in sexual union. I think I was nervous and became the polar opposite of my usual sensible self. I am so very relieved that the nerves and the tears didn’t surface and that I could concentrate on the words and their meaning to us and our future together as they are all so important. It also helped that Nathan has the most beautiful green eyes you have ever seen so when I looked into them and said my vows I felt everything and everyone else melt away; it was just me, Nathan and the vicar. All too quickly we came to the end and there was rapturous applause. Even though the vicar did not actually say it, he told us in rehearsal that this is the moment when we were allowed to have our very first kiss as husband and wife.
As Nathan and I were both educated in Church of England schools we had to sing hymns every morning and naturally you develop a few favourites over the years and our final hymn was mine. After our blessing we sang ‘Give Me Joy In My Heart’ and as the tension had left our shoulders we really relaxed and got into the rhythm! The choir were leading the vocals, but there were times when we were giving them a run for their money! It is fair to say we sang our socks off and every time I think of the lyrics I beam a huge smile thinking of that joyous moment.
We then signed the register and our marriage certificate and after a few photos that was it. We were married and about to begin our walk back down the aisle to Mendelssohn’s ‘Wedding March’. As we stepped out of the church and into the glorious sunshine the beautiful church bells began to ring. It was wonderful to see everyone for the first time that day and to have lots of hugs and kisses with our friends and family. We then had a few formal shots of the families before exiting the church grounds to where confetti could be thrown.
I have always loved that moment after weddings where you can shower the happy couple in pretty petals and paper. We then tucked ourselves into Annie and of we went to the pub for our afternoon tea party reception…to be continued…
you looked so lovely! and i love your bouquet! peonies are pretty much my favorite
ohhhh…you are BEAUTIFUL !!!! i am so enjoying this..and YES!!! what a lovely bouquet…
you 2 are just adorable together….
wishing you both happiness and a lifetime of love….
p.s. poppy is darling…what a lucky puppy…congratulations on everything !!!
sending love across the ocean
kary
xxx
What a beautiful, perfect wedding you had! I'm so glad your dreams came true.
oh sweet Mrs Hill, you wrote that so beautifully! Made me want to cry. I think that moment when you hear the music and think 'oh crikey, this is is' it is hard to hold back. We didn't marry in a church, but a Hall (I'm so posh!!!), so we had a string quartet. I walked down the aisle to 'The Swan' and as soon as I heard the first note I was shaking, trying not to cry. It is a very moving moment, and one you have reminded me of. :O) thank you for that.
cannot wait for parth three! You looked absolutely radiant xxxx
What a wonderful account of your wedding day… thank you so much for sharing your precious moments with us! ♥
Dearest Morwenna – truly one of the most radiantly happy beautiful brides I've ever seen! Laughed & cried along with your beautiful story of such a special day for you both. It sounds as though all was just as it should be. Love to you sweetie xoxo
More, more, I want to see MOOOOOORE! 🙂
Ahhh, thank you so much for these….and I LOVE that you described everything in such detail, now I really felt as though I was there!
And I think it's lovely that you are posting these spread out…it's like enjoying your wedding for a long time!
You were so so gorgeous and RADIANT. Congratulations again on marrying the man of your dreams, your soulmate, your LOBSTER!
XOXO dawn
Oh that's so lovely I almost feel like I was there! I imagine one of the perks of being a vicar is all the heaving emotional bridal bosoms they get close up to!!!!!!
You look totally gorgeous and happy. Those peonies look wonderful. I think my bouquet was same style as that but I had different flowers – I must get some pictures up on facebook so you can see.
Dear Morwenna,
Think I left my first comment about your lovely wedding day on twitter so thught I'd re-read every lovely detail and leave one here too.
Rich and I both read Part one and two together and just loved it, of course I was crying reading it because you describe the day so well I could imagine being here. Looking forward to more pictures. xx00 -big hugs♥
Love your wedding photos! My son and his fiance are getting married in Houston, Texas, in November! So excited. Looks like it was a beautiful day and one to remember for the rest of your life! Enjoyed seeing your photos. You were a beautiful bride and love that little doggie of yours in your blog…so cute! Have a happy day! xoxo Kim