Oh no

The sun was shining and it was a lovely day for a wedding.  I started the day feeling a bit 'off' and thinking about Aimee and how she never got to have her wedding and the day of her dreams. We met other guests in the hotel who were attending the wedding and  'Sorry for your loss' conversations made me sad and the tears flowed but was pleased to get them out of the way before the main event.  

We drove to the venue which was a beautiful old house and the ceremony was in the garden as the weather was so good.  Shame the registrar did not have a louder voice or a microphone as we couldn't really hear much.  Drinks and canapes and mingling after the service and everyone looked lovely in their finery.

We knew a few people but got stuck with a very chatty lady who didn't stop talking!! Dinner was called and going against tradition they had a few speeches before the meal - again people who talk too much - ten minutes is about the right length of time for a wedding speech but these went on much longer!!  Delicious dinner served and then more speeches.  Groom's speech was good and he referenced Aimee and Bob (who died the same week as Aimee, except he was 75).  Cue lots of tears from me and OH, and people we were sitting near.  Next was Father of the Bride (James's Father) hence picture of James with his hands over his eyes as he was cringing at the speech and the jokes.  I thought he did ok and kept it the right length.

It was lovely to be invited but it felt odd and I didn't want my sadness to get in the way.   We sometimes play 'what would you do if you could turn the clock back' and I think I would have declined and not attended but we made the best of the event and left mid evening to leave the revellers and party goers to carry on.