Eve of The Wedding.

After a very long drive, #1D dropped her dad and son off at the allotted hotel somewhere in south Wales, as per the elaborate instructions: the male members of the wedding party were to spend the night there "bonding" with the opposite family, and the female members of the bridal party to likewise spend the night in a rather swish airbnb miles from there with 5 ensuite double bedrooms. We got lost multiple times finding both venues, and #1D was getting mightily stressed by all the single-track roads and dead-ends directed to by a satnav which was clearly drunk. More elaborate details unfolded: everyone had a named wedding favours carrier bag, containing a (named) wooden clothes hanger, named pyjamas matching the colour of the bridesmaids dresses, and slippers. I also got a mug commemorating my name, the date and the occasion, and all the adults had an etched champagne flute showing their name, position in the group, date and occasion. This was all a lot to absorb - the trouble gone to, the expense! There was a wooden key box for #1GS, as besides being page boy he was the official ring bearer and security official. all 3 of my granddaughters were there, dressed in Flower Girl named PJs - 4th extra shows #1D coaching 7 year old #2GD on how to wear killer heels without falling over. It was all quite overwhelming, especially when the other 2 very young flower girls (nieces of the bride) turned up and proceeded to scatter toys all over the floor, eat lots of sweets which also ended up there, and race around screeching in that precise pitch and volume which makes a damaged brain rattle. Not the bonding experience I'd hoped for. It wasn't all bad. There was prosecco and a very comfy bed to retire to.