Sat 19th July – Wedding Day!

Breakfast mob-handed again, lasting about 2 hours as we socialised with various surfacing groups. Then Mum, Marion, Georgia and I set off to have our hair done. Mum & I had a blow dry, Marion and Georgia an up-do. All done and back to get into our smart gear in time for leaving at 3.30 to take Rick, the male supporters and junior attendants to church. Ed had forgotten his speech – Rick showed first sign of drop in coolth and didn’t want to go back for it; but we did, and still arrived in good time, to be met by Kathy, lovely in long navy blue gown, and Stacey in ice blue satin, who was handing out floral buttonholes – a red dahlia for Rick, a white orchid for Jake and similar corsage for Grandma (she pinned it to her bag) and green chrysanths for the other men.

Other guests began to arrive in the RAIN!
We took our places in procession, followed by the bridesmaids (all in red cocktail dresses with large bows behind, and carrying yellow orchids) and groomsmen (Men in Black!), then Jake and the flower girls strewing yellow petals. In a break from any wedding I’ve seen, Kris then started up the aisle on her own, to be met by her father half way and escorted to Richard and handed over. Kristin looked truly gorgeous – an extremely pretty girl in any guise, her stunning ivory silk gown fitted like a glove to the hips and spread out behind her. She carried a simple spray of white orchids and had a short veil in the back of her hair, just covering her bare back.

Unfortunately, my camera battery ran out just as the ceremony began. The ceremony was interesting, all very ancient ritual and repetition, with sung parts in Greek and the Bride and groom passively having it all done to them – the swapping and receiving of rings, the lighting of candles and the swapping and wearing of the stephana to join them together as they made their first journey 3 times round the altar, lasting about 45 mins altogether. There were no hymns or communal singing – just a harpist to start with. At the end the married pair came and greeted both sets of parents and then processed back down the aisle.

As it was raining, they swiftly returned for the formal group photos to be taken in the church. After not too long a session of this, the guests all left and Rick and Kris, toting a holdall and with her skirts hitched over her arm, came in the bus with us to the reception!! Not like our traditional sending off, then…

There were photos of both families’ weddings through the years on the piano at the reception, and the 2 wedding cakes were on display just inside the lovely decorated hall. Both the English fruit cake – trimmed with red ribbon – and the American sponge cake – iced in a white lace pattern – had a posy of the red, yellow and green flowers on top, matching the wedding theme, and complemented each other well.

Rick and Kris made a show of struggling to cut the rock hard icing on my cake and then did the American thing of feeding each other from the other cake – without smushing it into faces!

Each table was decorated with a selection of the wedding flowers and candles and the table numbers were printed to match the Order of Service and Invitations. Ladies received a bonbonnière tied in yellow ribbon, and the gentlemen one tied in red. All were given little net bags with sugared almonds – a Greek tradition.

Food was good – a variety of hors d’oeuvres as people gathered, then Michigan salad followed by a chicken main course. Paul opened the speeches – he got a bit choked at one point and was helped out by Ed, who then added his piece to Paul’s. The Best Man Lewis spoke hilariously, as did the Koumbaro Kyle, then Laura made a touching little speech to finish off. Richard remained firmly seated throughout!

Rick and Kris opened the dancing; then Paul cut in with Kris and Rick danced with me; then Ed cut in with Kris, Rick danced with Kathy and I danced with Paul. Then everyone joined in.

The music was provided by a live band – they were excellent for dancing to, although a little loud for general conversation. Ed and I circulated the hall, chatting to guests and introducing ourselves; then the deserts – Greek sweets and wedding cake – were served in the other room. I just managed to grab some cake before it all went and wrapped a little bit to bring home for family – it was delicious, moist and alcoholic!
The music finished at 12.30, by which time many had left, Georgia was asleep on marion’s lap and Jake and Vince were asleep on the bus. We tidied up and woke Vince to drive us home – including the Bride and Groom and an extra bridesmaid!