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”
How lovely for you all! Very best wishes to the happy couple!
Had to smile at the mention of “will these fit in your purse?” Looks like a lovely day for this memorable occasion.