Going to the Chapel...

My oldest friend, Nikole, got married. She and I have known each other since we were four. Our families were matched in pre-school for carpool and we have all grown up together: parents and children. She married Dan in a lovely ceremony in a small historic church.

And in true Nikole fashion, she picked up her dress from the seamstress (she had her add some more ruching) at 12:30 pm on Saturday. The day she was getting married-- at 5:30. Ahem. Not to be outdone, Marnie (Nikole's mother) received her dress in the mail at 3:30 pm on Saturday. But they got the dresses, and got to the chapel on time, and got married!

The reception was at Nikole's parents' house, in their backyard. My parents and their friends helped set up the twinkle-lights in the trees, weed the garden, make pathways. It was a perfect place for a reception.

And underneath the dress/tux, a little color for the event...

One Year Old

Hard to imagine that Will and I are one year old this weekend. I can still think of all the stuff that needed to be done, the partying the occurred, the lights that went out, the Pimms cup passed around, the music that played on, and the love that shared that day.

Happy Anniversary to us!
and Thank you to all for making it such a fantastic year, especially my lovely husband!

4 Months and Counting

Today, Will and I have been married for 4 months. It doesn't seem that long ago and it seems like forever. Course, lots of stuff has happened in that 4 months...

The BBC had a great article today about men marrying 'younger' and smarter women and how if they do, the marriage is sure to last. Since I am five years younger and am smarter than the average bear, Will declared "OMG - see - nothing but happiness in my future!" when he sent me the link to the article.

Yea! Happy 4 Months!

End of Summer Reflections

As the official end of summer approaches, I look back to busy summer for my family. Not only did I get married, but so did Becca.





We had several big birthdays: Will (40), Jeremy (39), Mom (ageless), Dad (62), Caroline (34), Grandpa & Ma (82), Donnie (80), Edward (78), Matie (84), Kristie (36), Chloe (3) and Brando (1)




And Will and I had yet another wedding celebration:






After all of that celebration, I am hoping for a quiet autumn, though, since we decided that we wanted to paint the t.v. room before the new couch arrives, and the roof is still leaking, I doubt it....

Downside of Wedding Presents

One would have thought that there weren't any, but Will and I have developed a deep-seated loathing for Styrofoam and/or corn starch peanuts. Every package we receive seems to overloaded with the stuff. One little 7 inch plate came in a box that was, no joke (cuz I measured) was 2 feet x 3 feet x 2 feet and full of peanuts. It just seems to be a bit overkill. Thank goodness we have good recycling here. We have saved several boxes for mailing presents out and boxing up stuff for when (if?) we do the attic, but the rest we set out for recycling. Every week we overflow the two little bins we have been given by the city. Though, in most weeks, we have more recycling (and compost) than trash.



But at least the corn starch peanuts we can dispose of with water. Though, the thought has crossed my mind about the water consumption used as I dissolve the peanuts and I don't even want to know what it is doing to our pipes. With this old house, one has to be careful what one wash down the drain. (For example, we don't even put oil down: We use it to make suet for the birds).

I have a new appreciation for the stores that call you to let you know you have a present waiting and you can retrieve it whenever. One of the places we registered for does that for us, and it is a walkable distance from us, so one doesn't have to get in the car.

In the meantime, we will continue to deal with the peanuts and the cardboard (because receiving thoughtful wedding presents really is fun). I just hope that all the other couples getting married and receiving gifts delivered to their homes also recycles. And that the stores only use the corn starch peanuts and stop using any Styrofoam when they mail out their wares.

Rehearsal Dinner/Wedding Feast

Edward & Sylvia hosted an nontraditional rehearsal dinner. Nontraditional in the sense that it was mainly the bride's family... and that the bride and groom were already married, since the civil ceremony was that afternoon. However, it was a very fun evening, highlighted by Edward's toast about William the Conquerer and his love, Mathilda, who had a cat who only loved her. Edward can give an excellent toast and this was no exception.

Churchly Blessed

On Saturday, Will and I then walked down the aisle together for a church blessing at St. Nicholas Church in Sandhurst, Kent. This was the day that we wore our fancy clothes, had our flower girls & ring bearers, our bridesmaids and bell ringers. It was another gloriously sunny day and the climax of a fairy tale wedding. The lady vicar was lovely, the readings by our brothers lovely, and the music... sorta lovely. The "choir" of two ladies and one man really didn't help with the congregation's voices. But the organist was outstanding. We walked into Handel's Water Music Suite and out to the Prince of Denmark's Trumpet Voluntary, both of which sounded amazing on the organ. The flower girls carried sweet peas; the bridesmaids carried peonies from Sylvia's garden, Will's buttonhole was a rose from King John's Lodge; I carried sweet peas, peonies, sweet williams, and an iris.

After the ceremony, we went back to the Lodge for drinks, dinner, and lots of dancing. It was a spectacular day and very relaxed. Everyone got to talk to everyone else. The kids got to play in the pool, or fall into the ha-ha. And all were amazed at the fabulous porter-a-loos, complete with burled wood panelling, sinks, James Bond and Steve McQueen photos. They were quite fancy.

These are only some of the photos of the day that I have managed to collect. I am sure that there will be more...

Civilly Wedded

Will and I were first married in the Tunbridge Wells' registrar office at the Mansion House. We had to since we were not members of St. Nicholas in Sandhurst (where the blessing took place).

This was the day that Will did not see me beforehand, so he was surprised when I walked into the room. He had seen this dress though, and not the other, but Saturday, we were old married people so he saw me getting ready for blessing.

But the morning start was not so hot.

I slept in the barn with the single ladies, getting to bed late because of the minor vehicle crisis my brother and dad realized we would have on Sunday too much luggage, too many people, not enough spaces in cars to get folks to the airport. Crisis adverted, I went to bed closer to midnight than planned. I tiptoed into my room, to crawl up a steep ladder to a very high bunk bed in a very dark and very hot room. I brought a flashlight with me.

Then, I felt the roof was going to fall in on me and so after an hour of me turning on and off the flashlight, hoping not to disturb anyone in the room, and finding that the roof was still just an elbow length above, I got down. This time, even more slowly than I crawled up. I was going to sleep on the couch.

I was laid on the couch for about 5 minutes-- in my clothes, as I had forgotten to bring my pjs from the house--and then thought that there were beds for more guests joining us on Friday. I will go sleep in there, as they will never know. So I felt my way over to the where the beds are, only to think that there was a light switch along the wall. Yup, found it. Flipped it. The light bulb popped and then there was the power down sound.

I blew the enture barn's electricity and water supply (electric water pump, so one flush and you are done). It was 1:15 am at this point.

Rebecca was awake upstairs and she realized that something was wrong when she couldn't flush the loo. So we met up, flipped fuses in three different closets on two different floors, only to be joined by Mom and Dad. We four than flipped the same fuses before. We went outside-- them in barefeet, me in my shoes-- and found another fuse box and flipped those switches. Nothing.

At this point it is 2:00 am and it will be light at 4:00 am (yes, England is that far north). We say sod it and go to bed, thinking we can deal when it isn't dark and we don't have to be walking in sheep dung in the dark looking for more fuses.

At 6, I wake up (yes, in the bed meant for other guests) and start trying to figure out how to get water and power back to the barn. I wander around the grounds trying to find someone to help, only to wander over to find the gardner (who is supposedly the only who can help) leaving in his car at 6:30 am. This is not good.

I wander back to the barn and meet Darren, who saved the day: he found the unfound fuse box (on the back of the house, in the sheep pen that I did not find at 2 am because I am was not willing to go back in that dark corner in the middle of the night), and flipped the fuse. Water and lights were back.

Now, at 7 am, all is well and now my alarm went off to get up to get ready for the day.

But the rest of the day went really well. I walked down the aisle with my Dad. Mom and Dad presented me for marriage. Will and I exchanged giggles and vows and rings. We signed the marriage certificate, our witnesses signed the certificate, and the little kids signed the commemorative certificate. We were photographed and walked back down the aisle, as Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham.

It was very exciting and lovely and everyone was pleased, me especially as the day didn't start off well. But it certainly ended in a fairy tale.

Double Did It

William and I are married! Twice. We did a civil ceremony at Tunbridge Wells and then the next a church blessing, with a reception. I have lots to tell, lots to show. But in the mean time, here are two shots for you to enjoy....

It Begins

William and I realized the other day that with my family descending on London en masse tomorrow and then all of us caravaning down from Heathrow to Etchingham, we *might* want to make a pre-clan arrival trip down to the Lodge, as we wouldn't have enough room in the rental cars for us, them, and the luggage. And word on the street is that they are bringing massive amounts of luggage with them. Plus, we remember what we brought with us.

So, a quick day trip to Etchingham was planned.

Andrew not only let us take the car down, but he then took us to Costco (and yes it is exactly like a Costco in the US) on the way there, and then he graciously took a bus and train back home.

So, before we even left for Costco, Will and I had filled the entire back of Andrew's BMW station wagon, or estate car as they are known here. We had two suitcases, loads of bags with wedding favors and presents to hand out, flower girl dresses, civil ceremony dress & suit, Will's wedding suit, and The Dress. Then we were off to Costco.

Now, Will stayed in the car (we gave him the keys and had a window down for him) whilst Andrew and I shopped (and admittedly, snacked as it was lunch time and Costco had samples out).We got the stuff for Pimms cups (lemonade, cucumber, lemons, and oranges) and non-alcoholic drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Water, Sparkling Water, Beer... oh wait, I said non-alcoholic). Andrew added his own list: toilet paper and paper towels, which were coming along for the ride.

About an hour and half later, we emerged with two huge trolleys full of stuff. We managed to squeeze it all in, just.


Andrew had to walk to the bus stop instead of us dropping him at the train station, which, as you can see from the photos, was also absolutely necessary, as there was not a single extra bit of space for him. But at least you know we have the important stuff: Pimms cup and beer and loo paper!

Upgraded

Originally, we called to see if the marquee at Blenheim was available for our wedding and since it wasn't, we were forced to upgrade to King John's Lodge. But we wanted you all to see what *could have been* ... uh-huh. Sure.

What Am I Getting Myself Into?

A historian friend of mine, though to be fair, is a long-time family friend of Will's, dropped some interesting reading material off at my house today.

It is the first part of chapter one of Roy Moxham's new book Tea: Addition, Exploitation and Empire. The note from the friend reads:

"See pp 10 FF.
1. William- did you know about them?
2. Miriam-- I think you should know about what you're marrying into. "

So, I am eating my lunch, all intrigued about this reading material. What do I read?

There was a gang in England in 1747 called the Hawkhurst Gang-- Hawkhurst being the area where I am getting married in a few weeks time and from where Will's family is from. This gang was smugglers of all sorts of things, but their most valuable contraband: Tea.

The chapter (which you can read on Amazon) goes on to discribe how gang members broke into the customs house to steal back the previously retrieved tea. When two villagers, who recognized one of the smugglers, started to talk, the members of the Hawkhurst Gang came back and brutally and barbaically murdered these two villagers. Stuff like burying alive one person, and horse-whipping, hanging, and dropping the other down the well and when he still wasn't dead, throwing rocks into the well until he was silent. At least 7 members of the Hawkhurst Gang were brought to justice in the coming months, with punishments of hanging, and being chained up for the dead bodies to be displayed.

Um, maybe I don't know what I am getting myself into and I should quickly do some genelogy into Will's family.... and so glad I was reading all these gruesome details over lunch. I am so not hungry now.

It is here.

It's in this box.

The dress.
It arrived from Kentucky in this box today at work at 4:05.
By 4:13, I was trying it on for the ladies at the office, veil and all.

Now, we are at home. And It is in the box.
Calling my name.
"Please out me on again. You are so beautiful in it."
But, Will is also home.
And so I am not willing to risk the bad luck.

It is here.
And I want to wear it until June 27th.
and beyond.

Bridal Shower: KY, part II

Photos from my bridal shower in Kentucky.
Enjoy!
And thank you to all!

Apron Strings

So, my sister Caroline, with the two babies--so *copious* amount of time. ahem-- made my bridal gift.

Years ago I sent her (and Rebecca) fabrics from Repot Depot Fabrics. It was funny, vintage, random fabrics. They both were learning to sew. Apparently, I sent this fabric to Caroline, she saved it, dug it out, and in her spare time, made me this awesome apron. It was the first of my shower presents to open and it is hilarous and very well-made. The pattern is "How to find a husband".

Some of the sage advice on the fabric is:
Show him you love housework!
Cook him delicious foods!
Don't play the field; focus on one man.
When you meet his mother, Smile!
Show him you have a lovely singing voice.

It is absolutely priceless! Will loves it too.

Bridal Shower: KY, part I

My sisters hosted my bridal shower in Kentucky with weekend, with Rebecca surprising me. She was *supposed* to be in Switzerland for work, but came here first. We are modeling the viels that were made for me to wear on the day of... yes, they are constructed out of toilet paper and pipe cleaners....We are making the fashion statement to be sure.

Bridal Shower: DC

Yesterday was my bridal shower with my DC Family here. As you can see the spread was amazing! Tasha made everything--including the trifle-- from scratch! It was awesome. She can come and cater any event I have any time. I also got to take home the leftover chocolate dipped strawberries.... delicious! Dena made me my ribbon bouquet. I will take it home next weekend for bridal shower #2. So far, no ribbons are broken!

I also received some lovely presents, including the wedding night outfit, kitchen/entertaining/baking stuff, and garden stuff. It was such a lovely day tea and Prosecco, good food and great company!

Thank you my ladies! You are all wonderful!

Silversmithing

Will's mother is, among other things, a fantastic silversmith. We asked her to make our wedding bands and she has made two of the most beautiful rings! She had to hammer Will's ring out to make it bigger; mine fit perfectly. She will then file and polish them right up to a high shine. She even hallmarked them on the inside before making the silver bit into a ring:
A hallmark is basically a stamp on the silver to mark who, where, and when the silver piece was made. You have to go to the assay office and have them hallmark it. The assay office authenticates it that is "proper silver", i.e. 92.5% pure silver for sterling silver.

The Maker's Mark is who made it. For Sylvia, that mark is "SJT" --her initials, made before she was married. The "925" means that it is sterling silver. The Lion Rampant (third stamp) means Scotland. The castle-like building is for Edinburgh Assay Office. The K means 2009. This bit of silver has a blue background for the hallmarks, but usually there is no color. It does make it easier to see for the photo, though.

Applying a hallmark began in Scotland, in Edinburgh in 1485 by the goldsmiths, who formed their own corporation to protect their trade and the public. They stamped gold and silver with particular stamps to ensure the purity and quality of the piece. In 1681, they started adding a letter to denote the year in which the item was made. The Edinburgh Assay Office's history is fascinating, to say the least.