Weddings are a curious mixture of fraught and fun. In laws and Out laws. Old husbands and new husbands. Step mothers and watchful ex wives. Smiles to hide fright. Smiles as manners. Smiles as snippets of joy. Smiles that are all eyes and no eyes at all. The children dipping and running through the legs of finery. All eyes and all smiles. That concentrated innocence swirling amidst the pristine finery.
Old, old friends from so long ago their memories are the slightest of ripples and old family who needs to say no more than a squeeze of a shoulder or the dip of the head. A thousand conversations under the sparkling lights of yesterdays news with the glint of the newest rings created to fit into the oldest of diamonds.
It has been very busy. Frantic really.
Cooking, tidying, sewing, ironing, copying out speeches, pinning on buttonholes and threading cufflinks.
My handbag filling up, can you hold this, can I leave this with you, do you have room for my phone, hold my notes for me, will this camera fit.
Then I dropped a dress over my head, slipped into unfamiliar high heels, and with my handsome entourage we finally reached the wedding evening where against all odds each step slipped perfectly into the last one and a marriage was made.
But here we are finally on the other side, the day after, bread rising, lamb marinating, more champagne chilling, relaxed at last, walking the dog on the beach and breathing sighs.
I hope you have all had a lovely day.
Your friend in New Zealand.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
50 responses to “Snippets of Joy”
That first photo – of the wee boy sitting down on the ground – is FABULOUS!!!!!!! Absolutely wonderful snap. I hope you have a great trip!!
I could so see Miss C’s in the grooms face. 🙂
Nice photos capturing the mood, the playful child and the nervous groom and your words , fabelous ! Now try to relax and enjoy .
I meant miss C not miss C’s. I Iove that dog’s face…you can’t see her eyes but you can see the joy!
Wonderful, Celi!
Beautiful, Congratulations to all. Laura
Wonderful!
🙂 Mandy xo
The words and the pictures are quirky, original, and say a great deal about our lovely friend Celie.
I hope you take time for a little rest now and again – it seems as though you’re as in the thick of the work as at home.
lots of love,
ViV
your words are like trickles in a clear stream. They tumble along and make beautifu sounds…you really are so very adept and clever with descriptive words. I could actually be there with you just reading your post…I am happy that you had a good day…now relax.chill out, then finally return to the fold xxx
Lovely photos. Congratulations to your son and his new wife x
Just lovely…. Some precious time out of time, some vivid memories to treasure, and then time to slip back into your ordinary life. You sound very happy, Miss C.
I could feel the tension, the excitement and the love of the day. Weddings are strange things, they pull up so many deep emotions and past memories. Glad you are through to the other side, now time to relax and have fun.
Now relax a bit!
Ah, many happy moments ahead for the new couple. I tell each new couple the same truth from my life – having a relationship with another person is the hardest job you will have but yet it is the most rewarding endeavor. Remember to be considerate and kind with your words and deeds but most of all remember to look at yourself as your partner would look at you. Even if that last task is done in hindsight, it will make a major difference in how you deal with the not so happy times.
Breathe in some of the salt air for me….
Fantastic post: really captures all the layers, both good and bad, of a wedding. Incredibly impressive! I have no idea how you even had time to take photos.