The one where Baby Brother got married

It’s taken me a while to write this blog post as this weekend has been so amazing and emotional at the same time. On Saturday my youngest brother got married and it was such an incredible day, night and weekend.

Confetti deluge, coming out of the church

Confetti deluge, coming out of the church

For those who don’t know, I am one of five children (before you ask: same parents, not catholic, one accident), and this wedding was essentially the last one of me and my siblings.Β Friday night saw the whole family reunited at the wedding reception location – this is no mean feat as my eldest sister lives in Cyprus with her husband and son, whilst my next sister lives in New Zealand with her husband and children. Add in to that the brother getting married who lives in the West Midlands, cousins, aunts and uncles who live across the UK, from Dundee to Merseyside and it’s not often that we’re all together in one place.

The wedding was especially exciting as L had been asked to be bridesmaid and was ridiculously excited. She was taken off early in the morning by my new sister-in-law’s best friend and maid of honour, and the next time I saw her was when she entered into the church, throwing petals.

My big girl, walking down the aisle

My big girl, walking down the aisle

I had spent so long preparing all the practical details (clothes, shoes, timings for trains, feeds for C etc) that I hadn’t stopped to think about how emotional it might all be. Well, as soon as I caught sight of L, that was it, the flood barriers came down and the tears were flowing. For the first time that day, but by no means the last time!

The ceremony was lovely – the right mix of seriousness and fun. Not too short, not too long. (That’s my opinion, not L’s, as she kept asking me when it would be over!)

L treated us to some bubble blowing outside:

L blowing bubbles outside the church

L blowing bubbles outside the church

She then delighted in showing me the lovely, classic car that she travelled to the church in:

"I came to the church in this car"

“I came to the church in this car”

Once we had showered the happy couple in confetti we headed off to the beautiful reception location: a marquee, surrounded by rolling hills, next to a lake – perfect.

Musicians and Pimms accompanied the photo-taking, and the views were stunning. This also allowed for leisurely catch-up time with the family (when we weren’t needed in photos).

Hubs entertaining C during the photos

Hubs entertaining C during the photos

Then it was time to take our seats and wait for the bride and groom to make their entrance. Now, having had a 120 guest wedding I remember how hard it is to do the seating plan and to please everyone, yet somehow baby bro and sis-in-law got it right down to a tee. L had her 10 year old cousin to keep her company, I was next to my Cyprus-living sister, and everyone basically got a chance to catch up with family or friends at their table.

Me with my Cyprus sister - can you see the family resemblance?!

Me with my Cyprus sister – can you see the family resemblance?!

Baby bro and sis-in-law decided to shake things up a little bit, so we started the meal with the father of the bride’s speech – which was a lovely one, just the right length and content – followed by the cutting of the cake. Then it was time to tuck into the buffet dinner. And what delights did we have waiting for us? A hog roast with oodles of crackling. It was amazing and a fantastic change from a traditional sit-down meal.

The only children present were close family members (L and C with their cousins mostly), but they hadn’t been forgotten as they had a little personalised activity book and pen/pencil thingy on the table, which kept them occupied for most of the meal.

L with her 10 year old cousin from Cyprus

L with her 10 year old cousin from Cyprus and their activity books

The food and wine were lovely, the company was great, the atmosphere was perfect.

After dinner it was time for my amazing baby brother to give his speech. Before I mention his speech, a little aside about my baby brother. A was born when I was 5, and I was 100% into dolls, so he was the best thing ever (I even remember what he gave me when he was born – a red-handled skipping rope). I remember my mum changing his nappy, with me changing my Tiny Tears’ nappy alongside her. That was all 32 years ago, but he will always be my baby bro (sorry A!).

Baby Bro addressing his bride in his speech

Baby Bro addressing his bride in his speech

So to his speech. Apparently it lasted half an hour, but it didn’t feel like it – it was funny, it was sad, it was emotional, it ticked every box, although my sister and I were both in tears. Again.

Baby Bro had two best men, who did an excellent combined speech, which I can’t share here, but which was hilarious.

Then it was time for the first dance and for the evening festivities to start.

L took over the dance floor - on her own first of all

L took over the dance floor – on her own first of all

Dancing to "Play that funky music white boy" with her Uncle

Dancing to “Play that funky music white boy” with her uncle

Throwing some shapes with Grandpa on the dancefloor

Throwing some shapes with Grandpa on the dancefloor

And then some more dancing with another uncle

And then some more dancing with my other brother

We are very lucky in that both 6 year old L and 10 month old C are pretty chilled and are used to social gatherings, so we didn’t have to worry too much about keeping them occupied. L danced the night away (we finally got her to bed shortly after midnight when the music stopped), and C was happy to go from one pair of arms to another before falling asleep in her buggy on one side of the marquee.

C having cuddles with my cousin

C having cuddles with my cousin

That gave us the opportunity for more family catch-ups and fun dancing:

Franglaise Mummy, siblings and spouses

Franglaise Mummy, siblings and spouses

Striking a pose with siblings and cousins

Striking a pose with siblings and cousins

With my fab and gorgeous mum and dad :-)

With my fab and gorgeous mum and dad πŸ™‚

There was a brilliant band playing amazing music, but I especially loved “The Time of my Life” and getting my heavy metal-loving hubby to dance Patrick Swayze style with me on the dance floor – no lifts though πŸ™

No photos of us "Dirty Dancing" sadly

No photos of us “Dirty Dancing” sadly

With fireworks, Cornish pasties and non-stop dancing and laughing until gone midnight it was just the perfect wedding (second only to ours of course!). So Baby Bro and Sis-in-Law, thank you for such an amazing day and night, if your married life is half as good as your wedding then you’re in for a great time πŸ™‚

If you are wondering what we are wearing, my dress is from The Pretty Dress CompanyΒ (you can read my review of it here), L’s bridesmaid dress is from Debenhams (I can’t find the actual dress online) and C’s reversible dress and knickers were made for her by Stepford Stitchers.

I am linking this most magical of magic moments up with The Oliver’s Madhouse, click below for other magic moments:

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5 Responses

  1. Bod for tea says:

    Congratulations to your brother! Gorgeous, gorgeous photos – it looks like an amazing day x
    Bod for tea recently posted…Quotes of the weekMy Profile

  2. Jaime Oliver says:

    awww honey this gave me goosebumps! what an amazing day and such stunning pictures.

    thank you for linking up with and sharing via #MagicMoments xx
    Jaime Oliver recently posted…I Am A Prisoner To Washer WorshipMy Profile

  1. 20/09/2013

    […] posted recently about going to my brother’s wedding last weekend, and for the last year I’ve been wondering what I could wear to this wedding […]

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