| Always the bridesmaid…..
Picking up where I left off in my previous instalment, it
was December 30 2002 and my sister’s wedding day had
arrived. To start the day off, we were going to different
hairdressers (so that we wouldn’t get stuck in a queue
or hold each other up) at the first appointment of the day.
I went to Peter Marks in St Stephens Green and she went to
John Hall in Dublin 14.
I arrived home around 10am on her wedding day to be promptly
told to cook breakfast. Anyone who knows me will tell you
that I tend to cremate sausages and rashers at the best of
times so I really had to watch over this food. There would
be no other food until about 5pm that evening, so ruining
it was not an option!
Food cooked, champers open and women running around the house
like headless chickens yet the bride to be remained unbelievably
calm. Quite unlike her normal self! She hired a makeup artist
to do her makeup and that of our mother and the bridesmaids.
I thought the results were perfect.
Before we knew where we were and what the time was, it was
time to go to the church. Driving in the back of an old Jaguar
(which runs on leaded petrol - I could tell by the smell)
to Rathgar wasn’t the most comfortable. Very stylish
car though.
Arriving bang on time and waiting outside a church in a slip
of a dress it got quite chilly. Myself and the other bridesmaid
were waiting about 10 minutes for the bride to arrive and
I’d suggest that if you decide to go for a winter wedding,
that you arrange for someone to have a flask of tea or coffee
for the bridesmaids while they wait on your arrival.
We see the bride turning the corner and she enters the church
grounds. It had rained earlier in the morning, so the ground
wasn’t going to help her dress in anyway stay the pristine
colour it started out. So with dress hitched over one arm
(and keeping her dignity) up the steps we walked.
Her groom had been waiting indoors for about half an hour
at this stage and the proceedings were about to commence.
My sister walked up the aisle ahead of her bridesmaids (as
we were informed that we were there to attend to her and not
go before the bride), which I thought was lovely. She walked
up the aisle on the arm of our mother (who looked smashing
by the way) as our father had passed away some years ago.
Making sure the train on her dress didn’t snag on any
of the pews, and that we didn’t step on it on the way
up, we made our way to the top of the church.
Before we knew where we were, they were married. I will admit
to shedding a few tears (though luckily none were captured
by the videographer) at the thought that my big sister had
gotten married. I knew I should have brought some Kleenex
with me!!!
The reception was in the Summerhill House Hotel in Enniskerry
and I would have to say that the reception went off with a
bang! When we arrived at the hotel, the heavens were about
to open and not only were we met by a glass of champagne (they
thought the car we arrived in was the bridal car) but with
huge umbrellas as well!
Some mulled wine later, I nabbed the best man, the groomsman
and a few of the guests to blow up some “Just Married”
balloons. There we were in the foyer of the hotel blowing
up balloons in all our finery! Must have looked quite a sight!!!
Between having photographs taken with the bride and groom,
I nipped in to the function room and scattered confetti on
the top table and placed the balloons around the room. I must
have done a good job on the wee bit of decorating I did as
my sister thought that they had been done by the hotel. I
was chuffed.
Food eaten, drink drunk and speeches spoken it was time for
the first dance. They picked “Come What May” from
the film Moulin Rouge.
All I can say is that I really didn’t notice the time
going and before I knew it, the bar was closing, and the DJ
was packing up.
Her day was a huge success. I picked up a few tips along
the day but most of all, try and have a guest book as you
wont get around to every one for long chats and also try and
take as much of the day in as you can. It goes by in such
a blur.
One family wedding down and one to go!
Picking the date was probably the least stressful moment
of the preparations. As October seemed to be a very happening
month for us, it seemed like the obvious choice. 2003 was
deemed to be too short notice (by the time we picked the date)
and wouldn’t give us enough time to save sufficient
funds, so 2004 seemed to win out. So we have October and 2004,
all we needed to pick was the actual day - nothing leading
up to the bank holiday (as things seem to strangely increase
in cost at bank holiday times) so we settled on 15th October
2004! Phew! Glad we got that sorted so easily!!!
It is said that there are few things more stressful than
(a) moving house or (b) having a baby. I would like to add
in (c) arranging a wedding to that list! I had been to the
Bridal Fair in the Point Depot last February and picked up
loads of brochures so reading them and making a shortlist
of possible venues was on the cards.
In my next instalment I’ll pick up from here and hopefully
will have more actually done in relation to the arrangements!
Till the next time,
Lynne
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