My Daughters Wedding (3 August 2008)

What a wonderful day, the marriage of Annabelle to John - exceeding my greatest expectations! Everything took place at Sutton Bonington Hall which provided a fine house and lovely gardens. Of course, my daughter looked beautiful, the bridesmaids quite striking in black dresses with pink accessories and even the men were elegant in Edwardian style long coats and pink waistcoats.
The civil ceremony had two readings - John’s sister Rosemary read ‘The Promise’ and I read an extract from Captain Correlli’s Mandolin. Then, with difficulty, I got through my speech and we had excellent speeches from John and the best man, John’s brother Richard.
The meal was superb and the disco enjoyed by more guests who joined us for the evening.

Probably the most emotional day of my life since the children were born!


The Promise by Eileen Rafter (Read by Rosemary)

The sun danced on the snow with a sparkling smile,
As two lovers sat quietly, alone for a while,
Then he turned and said, with a casual air
(Though he blushed from his chin to the tips of his hair),
‘I think I might like to get married to you’

‘Well then‘, she said, ‘Well there’s a thought,
But what if we can’t promise to be all that we ought,
If I’m late yet again, when we plan to go out.
For I know I can’t promise, I’ll learn to ignore
Dirty socks and damp towels strewn all over the floor.

So if we can’t vow to be all that we should
I’m not sure what to do, though the idea’s quite good’.
But he gently smiled and tilted his head
Till his lips met her ear and softly he said

‘I promise, to weave my dreams into your own,
That wherever you breathe will be my hearts home.
I promise, that whether with rags or with gold I am blessed
Your smile is the jewel I will treasure the best.
Do you think then, my love, we should marry - do you?’
‘Yes,’ she said smiling, ‘I do’.


An extract from Captain Correlli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres (Read by Bob)

The year is 1941. The setting is the small Greek island of Cephalonia, during the German occupation. Dr Iannis, a wise and learned man, is counselling his young daughter, Pelagia, on the many facets of love.

‘Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion….That is just ‘being in love’, which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.’

The Speech by the Bride's Father

This is such a wonderful day and I am not going to spoil it by talking for very long.

Firstly can I thank you all for being here on this very special occasion.
We can all think of someone who, sadly, has been taken from us. I think, of course, of Annabelle’s Mother since this, quite simply, would have been the best day of her life. She met John in her last few weeks and had comfort from that meeting. She wanted the best for Annabelle and realised that John was that person to provide the best and that the relationship was to be a secure one.

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know John over the past few years, appreciating his character, his ambitions and I take it as a great compliment that he calls me dad and so I do welcome him as a third child in the family - certainly he has been a lot less trouble than the other two! John has one quality that I rate above all others and that is, that he loves my daughter and brings her happiness.

I admire as well as love my daughter as a beautiful and independent woman. Although she will deny this, I remember when she was choosing her ‘A’ levels, I had to sign a blank form and then she filled in the subjects. That was fine because I support all the decisions she has made, in the past, the present and into the future, for I know she makes them unselfishly and with thought. Especially good was her decision to say ‘yes’ to John’s romantic proposal, following him asking me for Annabelle’s hand.
So, Annabelle, thank you for bringing me up. You have done a good job. although I might have gone off the rails recently as you have been concentrating on John!

When Annabelle and John said they were going to get married I thought, and possibly was stupid enough to say, ‘why?’. Now I understand why - this is such a beautiful occasion and thank you my children for continuing my education.

So if you will all, please, raise you glasses to drink a toast to the two people whose special day it is and to whom we wish a wonderful and happy life together.

Annabelle and John