Vocal Voices

by **Workingman** » 21 Jul 2015, 13:01

I was going to post yesterday but I left my man-bag in Becky's car and she was at work. So, here goes.

The journey from Leeds to Oxford was a bit of a disaster. We intended to leave early but one of Becky's housemates left just after 7am and phoned at about five to eight to say she had gone less than a mile due to an accident in Leeds. When we eventually left at 9am we were well aware of the road works on the M1 almost all the way between Leeds and Nottingham so were expecting a slow ride. When we hit the M42 there had been an accident and as we were stopped Becky says "I wish the Genie lamp would stop flashing and beeping at me". Genie lamp? This goes on for a while so I get her to hit the hard shoulder and up goes the bonnet. Brake fluid - low, engine oil - not even registering on the dipstick. so we have to pull off and find a garage: £12 for a litre of oil and then it only just showed. Further down the motorway we hit another jam. As we got going we passed through an area covered in bras, pants, skirts, blouses, shoes.... you name it! Then getting in to Oxford we hit totally standing traffic due to a broken down bus in Oxford City centre. We eventually got in at 4pm - seven hours!

Had a great evening on Friday in the noisiest "quiet" pub I have ever been to, but the rustic food was the bees.....

Then came the DAY. It can only be described as disorganised chaos! Who was going with whom, when, and by what means was up for grabs. Colin, exes hubby, and I eventually sorted things and the convoy of taxis set off.

The venue, St Edmund's Hall, was an oasis of tranquillity in the midst of the bustling city just over the road from Merton, Michael's College. The wedding itself, a Humanistic celebration, took place in a 14thC former dining hall. It was a truly beautiful non-stuffy ceremony with lots of laughter and ad-libs and the congregation encouraged to join in. I was in floods from both pride and laughing my head off.

After the ceremony we had a garden party in the grounds of St Edmund's chapel - now a library. Michael and Sophie had come across a busker in Leamington Spa and invited him to provide the background music with his sax.... what a player he was: fantastic! A true star.

Then it was in to the refectory for the Wedding Breakfast (at 5pm) Not a big meal. thank God, but just enough to take the edge off. We, of course, had the speeches (yawn) and all the toasts. Then the B&G had a dance - together. Then the bar opened and the disco started..... and I forget everything after that.

An absolutely brilliant day.

I am one very, exceptionally, proud Dad.

There is a selection of photos on t'other board for those of you interested.

by **tonicha** » 21 Jul 2015, 13:16

Glad you had a blast, when you eventually got there

by **Workingman** » 21 Jul 2015, 13:36

Cheers, Ton, it really was the most fabulous weekend ever.

The "Genie lamp" story did the rounds, much to Becky's embarrassment, but all in good fun.

"Make sure you check the Genie before you set off" sort of thing. :lol:

by **Ally** » 21 Jul 2015, 13:52

I like the sound of that Frank!!

by **Workingman** » 21 Jul 2015, 14:21

Right up your street...

Example: So we get to the bit where "Does anybody know of any lawful reason........?"

"No" says a voice from the back, "get on with it, we've waited eleven years already......"

That's how long M&S have been going out together. :lol:

by **Kaz** » 21 Jul 2015, 15:39

Oh it all sounds fabulous!!!!

So glad it all went off so well Frank, I'll pop and look at the photos now

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

by **saundra** » 21 Jul 2015, 15:57

Glad it went well w m and you all had a ball

by **Diflower** » 21 Jul 2015, 16:24

Sounds truly wonderful

by **Workingman** » 21 Jul 2015, 17:19

Diflower wrote:Sounds truly wonderful

It really was.

We didn't have to worry about anything once in the Halls as the wedding, garden party, meal and disco were all held there - no dashing about here there and everywhere.

If anybody ever gets an invite to one of these Humanisty type weddings, prepare yourself. They are just so different and relaxed. You have to have the registrar there for legal reasons, but the ceremony is carried out by a reader. You are told that you can laugh, cry, clap and join in. There is none of the 'Love, honour and obey' it is more 'Love, respect, share'. When the rings are presented they are on a cushion tied with a bow. He takes her ring and places it on his finger, then says the words, then takes the ring off and puts it on her finger. She does the same thing and that's it - job done.

A fabulous weekend.