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Published: August 4th 2011
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How quickly the past six months have flown by since Alex and Anne announced their engagement and returned from Byron Bay to tell us that the wedding will be in the summer months in England and we would need to book six return flights to the UK.
As in usual Alex and Anne style the wedding was planned and recorded on gnat sheets and emails flew back and forth confirming dates, ideas for venues, guest lists and catering suggestions were all discussed and explored over on conversations Skype with virtual interaction and links to possible websites, all very technical.
We were certainly very aware of the huge distance that separated us from the physical support in the initial stages of the plans but with an earlier flight booked Hilary arrived as the advanced party to assist wherever possible with baking wedding cakes and 150 cup cakes to visiting the nursery grower with Alex and Anne to help choose the flowers for the day. Libby and Tim, Anne’s parents had been working very hard for weeks, washing and ironing linen, sorting the lighting and planning for all the additional back up support and work parties, their talents knew no bounds
The Murphsac Team
It took us 6 hours to set up the barn and prepare everything ready for the reception the following day. and we would all have been lost without Libby’s book of notes and lists.
It was very clear that this wedding was developing a very clear flavour of Alex and Anne’s passion for recycling, conservation, natural, organic products and a homely, relaxed and informal approach for a family and friends celebration of marriage with a couple very much in love. Every detail was unique from the design of the wedding invitations, origami paper flowers and handmade string light fittings to the hand sewn bunting and fairy lights which adorned the walls and cavernous heights of the rustic barn which was to be the reception venue, set in the beautiful Berkshire countryside.
Friday morning started with the dress rehearsal in the church followed by a cooked breakfast at Sainsbury’s Café to prepare us for the afternoon which was set aside to decorate and set up the barn ready for the guests the next day. So with cars packed to bursting the Goldsack and Murphy families plus best man decanted drink, glasses, food, hi fi systems and light fittings and set to work to transform the venue into a welcoming and beautiful place. We all worked so hard and after
Reception preparations
Large paper lights were suspended between the beams which created a cathedral effect. six hours it was mission completed.
Being homeless caused a few problems for the Murphy family as we had no real fixed abode and had to rely on some wonderful friends who gave up their homes so that the boys could sleep over the night before and get dressed ready for the church, no mean feat with so many of us!!!! A special thank you to Nikki and Jacky who put up with half dressed boys and make shift hair salons in their homes. I was glad to be down in Winchester away from the chaos!
Sadly my parents were not well enough to attend the wedding but I was able to get ready and share my outfit and accessories with them before driving up to the church to join the rest of the family.
Needless to say the ceremony went without a hitch and there were happy smiles all around as Anne walked down the aisle with her father in a beautiful ivory, simple styled dress which fitted her perfectly, followed by the bridesmaids, Rachel and Alex, Anne’s sisters and Isabel and Katherine, both niece and family friend. Pictures were taken and confetti thrown and everyone then
The Male Contingent
Taken in Nikki's garden just before leaving for the church, with Phil, bestman and Alex a family friend. rendezvoused outside in the grounds of the barn to drink Pimms and lemonade in the sunshine before enjoying a delicious ‘hog roast supper’. It was wonderful to be amongst so many close family and friends as they chatted and mingled with each other and to join two families, welcome the Goldsack family.
There were speeches from fathers, friends and brothers and groom and music was played for the evening both electronically and then personally by a friend, Brendan who bought his guitar. The relaxed and informal atmosphere was contagious and the photographer mingled amongst the guests taking both formal and informal photos of the happy day. To view the official pictures can be found using this link….
Somehow we found the energy to clear the barn which had to be done that same evening after Alex and Anne left, guests stayed behind and all helped to fill their cars with recycling bottles, wedding gifts, glasses linen and everything else right down to the hand wash soap from the bathrooms! Despite all feeling exhausted we completed the clean up in record time. Thanks to everyone who helped it was a truly united effort and much appreciated.
And then
it was time for reflection and recollection the day after sitting in the garden in Wendan Road in the sunshine, opening wedding gifts and sharing stories from the day before, the day had gone in a flash but held so many wonderful happy memories I am sure we will be talking about them for months to come.
Alex and Anne were also able to visit Jean and Keith, my parents in Winchester to talk about the day and share some wedding cake with them over a cup of coffee, before leaving for their honeymoon in Sri Lanka and The Maldives a truly perfect ending for two very special people.
More pictures below...
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Mario & Gabriela Avendano
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Alex & Anne
Thank you for sharing the lovely pictures of your wedding with us. It must have been a wonderful day. Congratulations and all the best for the future. Mario & Gabriela