I got some photos today, so I feel I can now proceed with the exposition of one of my best friend’s marriage that took place on 29th June 2007. In the finest tradition of Last minute Tee, I got a dress, shoes, and bag at the very last possible moment on Thursday evening. Then woke on morning of wedding to find out that my appointment to get my make-up done was canceled and there was nothing else available anywhere. Plus it would’ve been my mam’s birthday too, so this did not put me at ease. I got dressed and collected Laura at her house, then Pops fed the both of us and dropped us down to Sarah’s parent’s house, where we entered the most calm pre-wedding household that I’ve ever witnessed. I became designated bag lady for the day. I had 3 hand-bags from the bride and 2 bridesmaids, and that was my focus for the day. Including taking pictures for Sarah with her camera. I helped with dressing the bride, and believe you me, that was quite a task, the dress was monumentally gorgeous, but there were hoops and ribbons, lace and ties everywhere. I was pretty exhausted after that. We had some champagne, took loads of photos, Laura put some make-up on me, cos I’m damn useless at it, and then we headed to the church to await their arrival with David, the fiance of my friend June, another of Sarah’s bridesmaids. Alan was fashionably late, but that just gave Sarah more time to relax at home, before getting on with the marriage business.
We were sitting there having a giggle when next thing we noticed the first bridesmaid, Katie was half-way up the aisle! The music had remained constant, so we didn’t realise it was entrance time. Laura got up and said a prayer of the faithful. She towered over everyone else going up, and looked gorgeous. I had hoped to sing at the church, but I couldn’t get Ave Maria together well enough, plus the singer and harpist they had were beautiful, so glad I didn’t ruin the ambiance. The ceremony seemed to fly by. Everything went like clockwork, and they all looked great up there. Amazingly, I did tear up, which is odd cos I haven’t cried at a wedding before.
The happy couple pose outside the church before being whisked away to the Citywest Hotel.
Group photo outside St Bernadette’s church in Crumlin. You can see Laura Carpenter (thanks for the dress!) and June to Sarah’s right. Don’t they look gorgeous?
We got to the hotel where a red carpet had been laid out for the couple, and they were served with champagne. Then it was photo time. The photographer was great. He got everyone in lovely, natural poses. I continued my post as bag lady and photographer, which by this time included champagne glass, other people’s cameras, more bags, and even Sarah’s nephew Ciaran at one stage. I must’ve looked a sight. There was even a corny golfing photo taken of Alan teeing off with his proud wife looking on from the side. It was damn brilliant. Though the golfers we interrupted probably weren’t over the moon. By the time the photographers finished there was time enough for a drink before we went up to dinner. And what a dinner! I’d recommend the Citywest Hotel for the spread they laid on, and the extremely efficient service. Every dish was served like clockwork, and they were all beautiful. Laura and I quickly made friends with all of Alan’s work-mates, and busied ourselves serving wine to them, taking more pictures for Sarah, and entertaining ourselves. Well Laura entertained me a lot anyway. They had a great idea for the tables as well. See Alan and Sarah love playing games. Its something you expect to do whenever you go to their house for dinner or drinks. On each table there was a mini box of Trivial Pursuit cards to use as ice-breakers at each table and to entertain you. I thought that was a brilliant touch.
Alan and Sarah cut the cake. By god was that cake only gorgeous!
After the dinner Sarah escorted all her girls to the bridal suite, which was gigantic! Couldn’t get over the size. We all had a glass of champers. Alan tried to run straight out after showing us the way, and he refused to carry her over the threshold, much to our chagrin, but then again that dress could’ve toppled him, but we did get fantastic photos of them on the bridal bed.
Sarah and Alan on the Bridal Bed.
Then it was back to the dining hall, where everything from the dinner had been expertly cleaned up, and then the dancing and other partying began. A few other friends turned up, like Lids, Dee, Nicky, Lisa Doyle and Elaine. We all got the first gawk at Carpenter’s new squeeze Derek (whom I had to drag by the tie to get him up dancing), who were extremely cute together. Dancing mayhem ensued, and I got up to sing “River Deep, Mountain High”, for the happy couple, though I lost my voice during parts of it, I think the sentiment was appreciated.
Alan and Sarah’s first dance.
On stage singing “River Deep, Mountain High”, with the brilliant wedding band Pink Champagne. Hire them if you’re getting married. They’re brilliant.
Unfortunately I’ve only got blurred photos of the bridesmaids, so I’ll wait till I get some better ones to post, as they were so beautiful I want to do them justice. None of Laura and I with Sarah as yet, but again I’ll post when I get them. Ended up staying way too late, and getting a lift home early in the morning. Unfortunately, when I got home I realised I’d forgotten my key so I had to go round back and snooze under some pillows until an acceptable time to wake Pops to come down from Joseph’s house and let me in. Oh, how little did I laugh at that!