Peniarth Isaf

Family News September 2008

A wander round the garden with a bowl of cornflakes in one hand and the camera in the other produced this pic of the front garden in the early morning mist.



The calm before the storm here. This is the month of Sarah's wedding on the 20th and the preparations are well under way. Desperately checking the weather forecasts for the coming weeks. Looks like we might be in luck.

Coming together at last, no panic, everything is organised down to the last detail. Invitations, the dresses, the suits, venue, registrar, marquee, generator, caterer, children's meals, photographer, hairdresser, manicurist, flowers, cake, speeches, portaloos, bar, band, disco, taxis, cars, what could possibly go wrong?? How many more shopping trips to Manchester can Graham endure?

The Saturday before the wedding, Sarah, Andy, Eddie and Charlie the zebra finch, move down to Peniarth Isaf and take over the house. Graham makes excuses and weeds garden. Tim, Leah and Simon fly in to Manchester from Canada on the Wednesday, and....take over the house. Once again it was wonderful to have all the family back home at the same time and to spend two or three quiet days together before the busy weekend.



First job was to get Eddie and Simon to the final fitting of their little suits. I can feel a caption competition coming on with this pic:



Thursday, the marquee for the reception went up. Friday the caterers and florists got organised. Was it all going well? Yes it was. Was Sarah happy.... we are talking the biggest plague of money spiders in the marquee. All over the tables, in the flowers, in the wine glasses, .....Quote: 'all everyone will remember about my wedding will be the spiders'

After a lovely meal together at home on the Friday we were all up early on the morning of the wedding. Result! the day dawned bright and sunny. Sue cooking pizzas for the kiddies lunch boxes and me around the village putting up 'to the wedding' signs.

Then Anita and Louise the bridesmaids, arrive, followed by the hairdresser and the manicurist.... and take over our bedroom. Loads of squealing and giggling out of the upstairs window. They are into the champagne early. Sounds like its going well. Graham reports that all the spiders have gone......mostly.

Eventually... Sarah is almost ready....



Everyone moves down the road to Bryngwyn. Sue drives with the bridesmaids, and for a few minutes its just me and Sarah left. It was a special moment as she walked down the stairs. My first sight of the bride-to-be and she looks gorgeous. As we set off up the drive a Rolls Royce is parked at the top of the garden..... One last little surprise from Sue.



An incipient blub from Sarah as we walk down the aisle......

'Pull yourself together you silly a**e' from her Dad.

What a beautiful ceremony. Everyone loved the readings by Paul and Anna-Beth, and Eddie was totally enthralled watching Mum and Dad.



The Bride and Groom



The family. Simon, Tim, Leah, Andy, Sarah, Eddie, Graham and Sue.



Last call for...Parents of the Bride and Groom, Bridesmaids and Best Man



Extended family, unofficial photo, apologies for the furtive ones in the line-up. Ray, Jean, Andrew, Sharon, Cheryl, Ceri, Katie, Keith, Tim, Malcolm (hiding), Chris, Eddie, Andy, Dave, Sarah, Ruth, Eric, Rosemary (hiding) Dot, Heather (hiding) Joanne, Oliver, Mum Jean, Derek. Christine, Graham, Ian (hiding), Sue, Cari, Stephen (hiding) and who is missing altogether.... that will be Simon and Leah.



Yay...confetti time!



It was a warm cloudless day in beautiful surroundings by the lake, with Betty Price hill in the background. 20 babies and toddlers enjoyed the chance to play in the sunshine.

Below, one of the tables in the marquee. Friends old and new.



Cutting the Cake.



We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all the catering staff who produced a brilliant spread and kept the wine and champagne coming all evening.

Speeches, presents and toasts to the happy couple completed, night fell and people were ready to boogie.



Fantastic disco and band doing alternate slots throughout the evening. Great music and everyone was up on the floor. Just look at my Mum go! and did you see Uncle 'Elvis' Dave.



The partying continued well into the early morning back at Peniarth Isaf, leaving only a few hours before everyone arrived for bacon butties.



Another hot and sunny day, perfect for a garden party. It was wonderful to have so many people drop in before beginning their journey back home.

Today we are celebrating Peter and Eirwen's 40th wedding anniversary with another cake to share. Eddie clapping along with everyone else.



All the hard work was down to Tim who barbequed bacon for hours, Trevor who kept the hangover-cure coffees and teas coming, and Carol who buttered platefuls of bread and home-made scones. Nobody seemed in any rush to leave as a lazy morning turned into a perfect afternoon with friends just chatting away in the garden.



Eventually the party drew to a close and we had just one more full day with Tim and Leah before they had to fly back to Canada on the Tuesday. Sarah and Andy said their goodbyes as they set of for a night away together.



We just can't get over how well the two boys got on. This is only the second time they have been together.... wonderful, happy times.