My Wedding Day

Saturday 10th March, 2012.

 

I had stayed at the 'White house' hotel, on the Friday night, at the request of my eldest daughter, who is very superstitious. On waking up I was hungry and ready for breakfast. I decided not to eat breakfast at the hotel, but instead opted for a full English breakfast at 'Ruby's Cafe' in Watford Market. After washing this down with a mug of coffee, I headed into 'Argos' to buy myself a new laptop bag, as my old one just didn't feel right. I then wandered into the 'Harlequin Centre' for a look around. I then headed back to the hotel to relax. A short while later, Steve called and asked if I wanted to meet up for lunch. So, I headed back into Watford and met Steve outside the market. We ordered our food from the 'Roast counter'. As we were waiting, Ben and Laurel arrived and ordered some lunch, too. We then all went and sat down to eat. Once we had eaten, Ben and Laurel headed off shopping, while Steve and I went for a look around 'HMV'. After nearly an hour, we said our goodbyes and I headed back to the hotel to get ready. A shave and a shower later, and with the time approaching 15:00hrs, I was ready in my Star Trek dress uniform, and waiting for Steve. A few miutes later and we were sitting in the hotel bar watching the Wales-Italy match, sipping a beer, while waiting for Len to arrive. Once Len had arrived, we had another drink before we left and made our way to 'The Orangery' on Hempstead Road. The sun was shining as we made the short walk, which was filled with light banter.

 

We arrived at 'The Orangery' just after 16:15, and were in time to see the previous couple, and their guests, leaving. My friend Rob was the first to arrive, followed soon after by my Mum and the rest of the family and friends. Emma was just pulling in to the car park, as Steve and I made my way to see the registrar. A few minutes later, with all relevant details entered, we made our way into the room to await Emma's arrival. By now most of the room was full of family members and friends, so after saying hello to as many people as I could, I made my way to the front with my best man, Steve. A few moments passed and then Emma's entrance music started. Alysha carried Erin followed by Freya, who was followed by Emma and her father, David. We took our vows and exchanged rings and Steve read the reading we had chosen. I kissed my bride and, too soon, it was over and we were walking up the aisle together as husband and wife. Halfway up the aisle, I felt my mobile vibrate in my pocket, and I knew, without looking, that it was a text. When I checked it a few minutes later, I discovered that my friend, Aaron, had messaged me the score of the Ireland-Scotland match. Ireland were winning at half-time. Ireland did go on to win the match, too!

 

Outside we walked around and spoke to all the guests, before marshalling everyone for the photographs. After about a thousand camera flashes, the photographs were done, and we made our way to the 'West Herts Sports Club', where we had our reception booked.

 

All of the guests, that had been to the marriage cermony, were at the reception, and more and more friends arrived as the time went on. When we thought that most of them had arrived, Emma and I cut the cake and took our first dance, which was to 'Amazed' by 'Lonestar'. Soon after this, Emma and I sat on stools in the middle of the dance floor, while Steve gave his 'best man speech'. Soon after he started, he asked Emma Jayne to hold his speech as he was too hot. At which point he began to remove his jacket and tie. As Emma, I and the rest of the guests looked on in bewilderment, he removed his shirt to reveal... A blue Star Trek Original Series shirt! I saluted him for that and he carried on with his speech, which I must say was brilliant. highly entertaining and not too embarrassing for myself and Emma. When Steve had finished, I said a few words on mine and Emma's behalf, and the party continued. Atfer what seemed like an age, and far too many photographs, the party started to wind down. The bar closed at 23:00 and Andi Rob, the best DJ in the business and a long-time friend, killed the music at 23:30, at which time the last of the family members and friends began to leave. A few stayed behind to help us clearaway the rubbish, and put the leftover food into boxes, which were then placed in Emma Jayne's car. When everything was finally done, Emma and I took a slow walk to the 'White House' hotel, where we would spend our first night as husband and wife. On entering the foyer, we were met by my cousin Mark and his fiancee Charlotte, who were having a night-cap. So we joined them. After relaxing and chatting, Emma and I made our way up to our room, very tired but extremely happy.

 

To all of the members of our families and to all of our friends, some of whom we see weekly or even daily and those that we see far too little and those who travelled great distances.

 

Thank you for making our day so special.

 

Special thanks must go to:-

 

David & Alyson (Emma's parents) - For letting me marry their daughter.

 

Lynda (My mum) - For simply being the best! 

 

Steve Brown (Best Man) - There are no words.

 

Freya (Emma's Niece) - For being a superb bridesmaid.

 

Alysha & Erin (Our daughters) - For being the greatest and most beautiful daughters in the World.

 

Emma (Wife) - For making me the happiest man on Earth.

 

And to everyone else...

 

THANK YOU 

 

Because we couldn't decide on what songs we wanted to play at the wedding ceremony, we decided it might be different to play movie soundtracks, so here is the track listing for our wedding:-

 

Music to be played while the guests are arriving:-

• Ilia's Theme - Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Jerry Goldsmith


• First Contact Suite - Star Trek: First Contact - Jerry Goldsmith


• Bruce & Linda - Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - Randy Edelman


• Fellowship of the Ring - Lord of the Rings - Howard  Shore

Emma's entrance music:-

• Sayuri's Theme - Memoirs of a Geisha - John Williams

Signing of the register:-

• I do believe in fairies - Peter Pan - James Newton Howard


• Concerto in E Major - The Boondock Saints - Bach

Leaving as Husband and Wife:-

• Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43 - Somewhere in Time - Rachmaninoff

Len and Emma Jayne's Wedding

Saturday 28th May, 2011

 

Wedding Day

 

Len was the first to rise and had been to the shop and back before anyone else arose. Then Emma and myself got up, followed soon after by Alysha. After a quick coffee I went for a shower and got myself dressed (Black suit with blue shirt, no tie). Then Emma had a shower, then Alysha and then Len. While I was downstairs, I heard Len come out of the bathroom complaining that his hair wasn’t right. I then heard Alysha ask him if he needed help with it, which made me chuckle. Len said he would be fine and disappeared back into the bathroom. What seemed like an eternity later, Len came out of the bathroom, finally satisfied with his hair. Once we were all ready, Swany arrived. He had shaved his head completely and wore a black suit with a red shirt beneath. (He looked a bit like Harry Hill) Another coffee and then we made our way into Watford. After a quick trip to Primark to buy Alysha some new shoes, we headed onto Watford Market for a quick bite to eat. When we had each finished our lunch we made our way towards the Escourt Tavern for a quick drink and to meet some of Len’s friends. After a quick drink (or two) we made our way to the Registry Office, to meet up with the rest of Len and Emma’s family and friends. Once we were all introduced, Len and myself went into the Registry Office to speak with the Chief Registrar. I told him the track listing on the CD that Emma Jayne had asked me to make, before Len entered his details in the register. Then we both went back outside only to find out that Emma Jayne had arrived, so we all made our way to our seats. The music began with ‘U2’s Beautiful Day’, then ‘Eternal Flame’ by ‘The Bangles’, followed by 'Nat King Cole's Unforgettable'. Then Emma Jayne made her way down the aisle (or runway, as she kept calling it) to the sound of ‘Etta James’ singing ‘At Last’. All this time Len kept facing forward and I was thankful that Shanel was at the front to catch the moment on film (well, pixels actually.) The entire ceremony went without a hitch, apart from a slight mistake by Len, (unlawful instead of lawful), before they were pronounced Husband and Wife. After a few kisses they turned and moved behind the desk to sign the register. Then a few of us that had been chosen as witnesses, signed the register and had our photos taken with Mr and Mrs Erdwin. Once these were taken, we headed back to our seats, to watch the happy couple walk up the aisle (runway). The registrar handed the marriage certificate to Emma and then they made their way out of the office and on into the garden, to the sound of ‘Elvis Presley’ singing 'Can't help falling in love'. Once we had all gathered in the garden, Shanel got to work taking the photos of the happy couple. Then the happy couple with their families, then with friends, then acquaintances, etc. Finally, Shanel got us together for the big group photo and the final ‘confetti’ shot. After this it was a case of saying ‘goodbye’ to those who weren’t able to make the reception, while giving directions to those that could. We then made our way back to the Escourt Tavern until it was time to head for the reception.

The reception was held at the newly built ‘Ex-serviceman’s Club’ on St Albans Road, and was perfect for the amount of people invited. The room was pretty much square, with tables along both sides and in-between the bar and dance floor, where there was also a stage, on which the DJ (Paul Baz) had setup and was playing a mix of 70s and 80s music. Food had also been prepared and was laid out on some tables, to the right of the stage. Once everyone was settled, Mr and Mrs Erdwin took to the dance floor, for their first dance as Husband and Wife. (Check out the video on my movies page.) They then proceeded to cut the cake and pose for more photos. Once the cake had been cut, the kids were put to work building the cardboard cake boxes, while Emma (my Emma) cut the cake into box-sized pieces. After that, the drinks flowed and people mingled. Debbie got up and made a speech and she was followed by Len, who ended his speech with, “Thank you. Thank you, very much.” Beer flowed, food disappeared, Len danced (doing the splits three times!!!), photos and videos were taken and everyone had a great night. All too soon, the night came to a close. Handshakes, hugs and kisses were given to friends old and new, before Mr and Mrs Erdwin made their way home to start their married life together.

And they lived happily ever after.

Track Listing for the big day:

While the guests are waiting for Emma Jayne to arrive,

1. U2 - Beautiful Day

2. Bangles - Eternal Flame

3. Nat King Cole - Unforgettable

4. Elvis Presley - Wonder of You

For Emma to walk down the runway,

5. Etta James - At Last

While signing the register

6. Adele - Make you feel my love

7. Shania Twain - From this moment

For the walk up the runway as Mr & Mrs Erdwin

8. Elvis Presley - Can't help falling in love