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Published: April 21st 2009
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Life has generally been very quiet since getting home. I have been suffering from travel sickness or another name for it may be the "back in the UK blues". I have taken the opportunity over the past few weeks to catch up with a lot of my friends and the next few weeks will involve me going back round them all to say adios for the next 8 months!!
This weekend was a special one as the Brimelow clan descended on Matfen Hall as Tim was making an honest woman of Jane.
Mum, Dad and I drove up to the outskirts of Newcastle on Saturday afternoon and on arrival at the hotel we were shown to our rooms - I was in the paupers wing please don't get me wrong it was a lovely hotel and I had a lovely room however compared to Mum and Dads palatial suite and the bridal suite I was definitely the pauper of the family. Saturday afternoon was a quite one with Jane and her Dad initially dropping by to leave the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses in my room and then Mum, Dad and I chilling with a drink in the hotel
conservatory and then me going off and doing such girly things as painting my toenails and putting on false finger nails!!!! (yes believe it or not I can be girly and make an effort when I want to and my brothers wedding was such an occasion!!).
Sunday morning rolled around and my body was put into shock when my alarm went off at 6.30am. Anyway I rolled out of bed and did the obligatory pampering and beauty necessities for the day. After a quick breakfast I headed out of the hotel to travel to Janes parents house for my hair to be done. Surprisingly I was the first of the girls to arrive however the others were quick on my heels and chaos soon reigned in the house. Janes Dad soon disappeared upstairs to change and stay out of the way whilst her brother hid in bed and then at the first opportunity he ran out the door for a run to avoid the chaos. Eventually our hair was all done and so we set off to the hotel to finish getting ready and to change for the ceremony at 2pm.
The time soon came around for the
bridal party to walk down the stairs. I had seen Tim earlier and he seemed relatively calm for him however half an hour later I bumped into the best man and he told me Tim had started to "flap". I have to say that up until the photographer had appeared in the room Jane had been been very chilled and laid back however she then became a bit fractious when the photographer appeared and by the time we were stood at the top of the staircase waiting to descend the nerves had truly kicked in - however by this time we were all quite anxious. We all descended the stairs and surprisingly I was able to navigate them in 4" heels and a long skirt without even a hint of a stumble.
We sat down in our places and the ceremony commenced. Unfortunately I wasn't able to relax as I was under pressure being the first up with a reading after the registrar had introduced herself and discussed proceedings.
At this juncture I need to say that anyone who knows my brother well knows that he is a great guy but is as soft as they come so
on the day it was never a question as to
IF he would cry but more when and how many times he would cry. I openly stated it was guaranteed he would cry during the ceremony and when he did his speech. When I said this whilst getting ready I don't think I was believed...... however any doubters believe me now!!!
I stood up and did my reading and thankfully it all went smoothly and without a stutter or stumble (I believe that Janes brother, Peter, was praying I would mess up so as to relieve the pressure from him when doing the second reading I am also led to believe that when I finished he cursed me something rotten and knew the pressure was now back on him). The ceremony itself was lovely and the registrar made it feel very personal and whilst Tim and Jane stumbled over a few bits all went smoothly and surprisingly Tim didn't crack until the very end. I was called to witness the marriage and I am afraid to say that in typical little sister style I didn't congratulate the happy couple on their marriage but looked at Tim and said "I'm
surprised it took you so long to cry" his response was duly "Yeah I'm surprised too".
Thankfully the weather outside was fantastic so we were all able to wander around the gardens and sit out in the sun whilst the usual roll call for photographs was undertaken.
It then came time for the wedding breakfast. Unusually Tim and Jane had decided that they would have all the speeches before the meal so that everyone could enjoy the food. Janes Dad stood up and did a sterling job as father of the bride he kept it short and sweet with a few laughs involved but disappointingly few tales to tell on Jane. Next came Tim and yes the box of hankies were to hand and yes he did need them. However all dues to be said it was a very genuine speech with lots of heartfelt meaning (although I think a number of people expressed concern that he cried when speaking about me but was able to hold it together when speaking about his new wife. My theory however is that he was remembering all the times I've bullied him over the years and he was thinking those days
The happy couple and witnesses
Responsibility of witnessing the happy event went down to the bride and grooms respective siblings.... hmmmmm Peter and I - I wouldn't be so sure of asking us to be responsible! would now be over in the given hope he has a protector in Jane - ha ha). Next came the best mans speech and I will confess that I was slightly disappointed as there was a quiz competition as to who knew Tim and Jane best and I got all 9 questions right but the best man as quiz master decided I wasn't eligible to win despite being the only person who knew all the answers apart from the married couple themselves so the box of chocolates went to the person who got 7 questions right - I did duly express my outrage to the best man after the event!! The rest of the speech was surprisingly inoffensive however Tim did cry when he was told what a great guy he is.
The rest of the day went smoothly and without a hitch and I think it is safe to say that everyone enjoyed themselves. The day was definitely one to remember and without doubt, I think I can honestly say I will never go to another wedding where the bride will be dancing on her own, and in a world of her own, on the dance floor in
her wedding dress and big fluffy slipper boots!!! Tim also showed in true style that Brimelow men can't dance and I cemented the fact by later dancing with my Dad - however credit where credit is true at least they could be seen to be trying.
All that needs to be said in this blog now is that I wish Tim and Jane the very best for now and their future together. I know you will be reading this at some point soon so just to let you know you are a lovely couple who are well suited and thank you for involving me in your special day.......
Oh and by the way to everyone else reading this in case I haven't said it to you recently in two weeks time I will be in Rio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Andy
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Help with smell
Hi Andrea You know you said you were wearing Ghost at the wedding? Which one was it, there seems to be numerous versions????? Thanks A