Here it is. My last wedding before Christmas and time for a trip across the water to Essex. On one of the shortest days of the year we were always going to be racing light. But as you’ll see, it all worked out beautifully.
At Jo’s house, everything was actually surprisingly calm. Well, as calm as it can be with 5 bridesmaids, an uncle, the bride’s mother and the bride herself all getting ready. But how about this for a lovely gift from her groom on her wedding morning? Jo found a bear sitting on her doorstep all dressed up and ready.
And then of course it was Jo’s, turn…
And I’ve said it many times this year and I know I’ll say it at least once more this year…..”wow”….
…and then a short trip to Chingford Parish church where Dan and, well, everyone was waiting…
Jo walked down the aisle with her Uncle Bob to meet Dan Dare her groom.
From that moment on, I don’t think I saw Dan let go of Joanne’s hand all ceremony.
I said earlier that we were always going to be racing light all day. This isn’t a problem as I’ve certainly worked on much darker days. I also carry equipment for pretty much any eventuality. But on Saturday, pretty much all I need was a camera. Winter is looking a lot more like autumn at the moment. Hard to believe it’s almost exactly a year since the one where it snowed.
Now here are the pictures you don’t see very often. But I know they mean so much to everybody involved. No matter how relaxed an fuss free you want your day, there’s always time for a group picture. After all, it might be the only time for a while that everybody gets together in the same place. I always make sure that we do enough groups to cover everyone – and do them quickly enough so that nobody gets bored.
If you’re a fan of Bear Grylls then there’s a treat coming up. The reception was round at his place! Actually, that’s only kind of true. It was at Gilwell Park which is the headquarters of the Scout Association. There are statues of Baden-Powell everywhere and most men at the wedding had fond memories of camping there as children. But it really is true. If you want to write to chief scout Bear Grylls, then his address is Gilwell Park.
Enough of the trivia…on with the pictures.
I said we had to be quick about it. A couple of sunset shots at……3:45pm. Worth it though.
Then it was time for the reception and wedding breakfast. Deep breath…big entrance….
Dinner was rather nice too.
It’s not every wedding where the bride makes her own speech. But if you’d met Jo you’d know she wouldn’t miss an opportunity. Even if she was a lot more comfortable during the best man’s speech than her new husband.
And with the chocolate fountain and casino there was plenty of entertainment after the meal too.
But really everybody was there for the music and dancing.
That’s the last wedding before Christmas – but not the last of the year. There’s one more special event just before my “summer” holidays. I know Jo and Dan Dare would love to read your comments below.
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