Grif & Lynn

Last night I spent an enjoyable evening editing my video of Grif and Lynn's wedding.  So much so that I have been a very bad mummy this morning and let Bea watch Barbie movies snuggled under a rug and play with a whole folder of stickers, while I have continued my entertainment hard work upstairs.  I have a horrible feeling that I may have been somewhat carried away with video effects and slowing down the footage, but it has made me giggle.  

Intently watching the film has allowed me several observations which I will share along with some photos of the Big Day.

Firstly, Lynn was remarkably comfortable as a bride.  She did not spend the whole day tugging at her dress and fixing herself.  She seemed to fit perfectly inside her own skin AND inside her dress.  The dress incidentally was beautiful.  Elegant and flattering with just the right amount of quirky to suit Lynn down to the ground.  She wore it well.  The shoes of course deserve another little mention here...

The next thing I noticed was how adorable the photographers were.  A newly married couple from navyblur who, unlike the majority of other photographers * were not threatened by guests taking photos.  They just seemed to love doing what they were doing and they also seem to like people (imagine!) Their photography methods were somewhat unstructured and unorthodox, rather than formal poses, they lined up the subjects and allowed them to strike whatever pose struck them (the more bizarre the better it seems)

Of course, there were unofficial photographers too.  As my hands were occupied with the video, I passed on my camera to my padowan learner

Photo by J Weston

She managed to capture her own perspectives on the wedding.

Despite choosing midsummer's day for their nuptials, the weather seemed horrid.  At the church so many of the guests stayed inside as the rain drummed down outside.  There were no huddles of guests outside the church tossing confetti over the newlyweds.  I spent some time bemoaning this to myself until I was struck by a strange realisation.  The weather managed to make this wedding more intimate and precious than cloud splitting sunshine could ever have done.  Gareth and Lynn sprinted out from the church and snuggled into the back of the camper van.  Only a few brave determined slightly crazy guests came to see them, but still they got showered with confetti, kissed and wished well, without ever having that bubble of "We're married!  Do you feel married?  I can't believe it!  Did we really do that?  You look amazing by the way" popped.  They had precious moments together, just being Mr & Mrs, before they once again became public property.

Another JW shot

By the time all guests had assembled at the hotel, the rain had lightened to a fair soft drizzle.  I found the bridal party sheltering under the enormous tree in the garden.  Again, the dappled light and the bridal party gathering together beneath spreading boughs added great intimacy to the proceedings.

Friends and family who braved the drizzle to pop out in small groups had the time and space to chat to the bride and groom embraced by the protective oak tent.

While inside all of the guests felt especially cosy and protected from the rain.  There was no pressure to follow the bridal party to take photographs.  The pressure was lifted and you had the perfect excuse to sit down, relax and chat.  Indeed, the weather offered the perfect starter conversation for the discourse you share with strangers at a wedding.  "It's such a shame about the rain isn't it?"  Every time I heard this I nodded and smiled while internally fist punching the air and saying "no...it's making it all perfect"

The conservatory was the perfect spot to pose for some photos, chat with friends and admire each others outfits.

My handsome husband and me

This photo reminds me of the last reception we were at in the Dunadry.  Shirley was about 9 months pregnant with Beth, Heather 8 weeks behind that with Josie and me 16 weeks behind with Bea.  We all lined up with the bumps in a row.  Then replicated the picture with two bumps ; one baby, two babies ; one bump until finally there were three babies, all girls.  Now Shirley is holding Miss Molly and who knows who is waiting to meet us from beneath Libby's bump!

* Shirley also reminded me of less accommodating photographers who, when she was bridesmaid, confiscated attempted to confiscate her camera.

My final observation was this.  Grif is totally smitten.  Yes I know he is now a married man and that's only to be expected, but still it is remarkably heartwarming.  When you watch the film intently, looking for nice little vignettes and moments, you notice how proudly he wears his wedding ring, how he can't stop looking at Lynn, how when told to strike a pose, he is so ecstatic that his feet voluntarily lift off the ground, how he will take any opportunity to kiss her and once the camera kiss is done he just keeps looking at her, willing there to be more.

I remember times long past, hearing Grif sing along to "Map of the Problematique" and when he got to the words "loneliness be over" I had to choke back the tears.  It was my every hope that someday, his loneliness would be over.  Today, again, I struggle to hold back the tears, because I know that finally, it is.  Lynn is the perfect partner to love him, comfort him, challenge him, tease him and, most importantly, keep him in good shoes till death do them part.

Again by JW

If you haven't seen enough, there are more wedding photos here