Home Part 2: The Wedding

Following the hen and subsequent catch-ups I made my way home to Devon once again – this time to prepare for the event of the year: Alice and David’s wedding.

In just 5 days I somehow managed to mix in work, sorting out things for Kenya, going through my things for storage, making bunting, helping with name cards, favours and wedding decorations, not to mention making 96 cup-cakes in 3 different flavours all hand decorated. It was a whirlwind week and all of a sudden the last night of my sister being a Shepheard-Walwyn arrived. A long time ago, when we were kids, there came a tradition, where Alice would – for many different reasons, come and share a bed with me. And to my joy, restless and nervous, Alice found her way to my room and I got to spend some amazing quality time with her whilst she was still Miss Alice Shepheard-Walwyn, Shobbly-Wobbly, Swallow, Silly-Willy and all variations there of... We talked of marriage, family and made lists of all the things not to be forgotten the next day. In the wee-small hours we finally got some much needed rest.

Flowers Along the aise

Flowers done by ladies from the village

The next day was a whirlwind of activity from the moment we got up. By 10am there were a team of hair-dressers and make-up people ready to turn those of us more at home crawling through bushes into more sophisticated looking beauties... And wow, they did the most incredible job. Both my sisters look stunning as it is anyway, but I never saw myself as suiting a quiff and actually scrubbing up quite well – who knew I could look classy! Alice has always been stunning, but it is true what they say – being a bride really does do something to a girl. I have never seen her look so excited, happy and stunning. She literally took my breath away once I saw here ready to walk the aisle.

Alice Having her hair done

Louise stunning even before make-up is finished!

Not so shabby once scrubbed up!

The glowing bride!

I felt so proud standing by her at the alter. And of course, I shed a few tears with Louise as we watched our big sister make the biggest step of her life, and say I do to the Love of her life. The ceremony was sentimental, funny, beautiful, and quite simply perfect. And despite considerable temptation and bribery the vicar even managed to resist calling David Jedward when announcing his middle names. I am sure everyone says it, but it was the most wonderful wedding I have been to, and Louise and Paul have quite the mission to match it when their turn comes round J

The reception was the best I, and I was assured most people, had been to. I would in fact go as far as to say that it was possibly the best party I have been to! There were so many wonderful friends and family, incredible food, and beautiful decorations. The fact that the place had been decorated by friends and family, and there had been such love and attention put into the place I think really helped to make the venue so very special. The speeches were wonderful – Dad and David’s were both touching, amusing and thoughtful. Both made me laugh and cry, and I was so truly happy. The best men outdid themselves. I am sure that there is much that David would have preferred we didn’t all now know, but my word, they had us all literally in stitches. I laughed and cried when listening to Dad and David, and I cried with laughter when listening to Fel and Tony. Much to his embarrassment, in the end David did come off better for it – I even heard a few friends of the bride mention they liked David even more after hearing those speeches!

Following the food and speeches the party really kicked in. The band was phenomenal! Great musicians, up for a good party and with a good sense of humour to go with it all. With over a hundred guests we kept going till the wee small hours, although Alice and David had left, it took an instruction to the band to stop playing (who had willingly gone on beyond their time) to break us all up and get everyone moving to their respective abodes for the night. Although no a word was said in complaint, I am sure the members of the village were grateful for the end and peace to be restored.

The following morning we all headed back to the venue for a hog roast. It was only an hour in, bride and groom still missing, that we realised they had been dropped off home the night before and had no means of getting to the venue. Although not far by car, their cottage was a good hour or more walk away and we had forgotten all about them! With a quick dash to find them wandering down the road they were promptly picked up and brought to the continued celebrations. With friends and family we whiled away the afternoon of the first day with the newlyweds eating hog-roast and eating traditional Devonshire ice-cream in the sun. It was the perfect end to the most wonderful weekend.