Wedding

When I read or hear of the astronomical sums of money that most weddings cost today, I am more than shocked. I know that times have changed and also ideas of what is really important but let me tell you of my wedding which took place in 1954. It was on the 25th of September, the day before my 23rd birthday. My husband to be and I had been engaged for 9 months and against the wishes of my mother, who thought I should not marry until I was at least 30, we decided the time was right to marry. The first slight hitch was also to do with Mum because I did not wish to be married in white, I didn't think it suited me! Mum was scandalised but I had my way and wore blue. Even the minister who married us raised his eyebrows when, during our pre-wedding talk with him he said that he always knew when the arrival of the bride was imminent when he saw a car approaching and saw a flash of white and I told him there would be a flash of blue. Something else came up during that conversation. The church where I was getting wed had been saving and collecting for many years to purchase a new organ and, sod's law, the new one was to be installed AFTER my wedding and for my big day, there would be just a big hole where the old one had been removed. The Sunday school piano was being pressed into service and the thing was, I had chosen for my walk up the aisle, The Pilgrim's Chorus from Wagner's Tannhauser! It would have sounded splendid on the organ but the Sunday school piano..... Now neither my fiance nor I were football fans so had no idea that Manchester United and Manchester City were playing against each other at City's ground on the Saturday of our wedding. So? You might say. My parental home was yards away from the ground, my wedding was scheduled for 2pm and the crowds were gathering for a 3pm start. Upshot was, the wedding cars had difficulty getting through, my father and I and 2 bridesmaids had to go together in one car and I was late for my wedding, something I had sworn would never happen. In the event I managed to walk up the aisle not wincing too much at the piano's brave attempt at Wagner and it was, in fact a very nice service. The reception, such as it was, was held in my parents' front room and the cake, which was made and decorated by my mother and her sister was a credit to them. This family reception, by the way, cost hardly anything and was none the worse for it. My husband and I had planned an early getaway and went off, by train, to the Lake District where we had rented a caravan and where I had my first effort at cooking as a married lady. This was stewed blacberries and apples, windfall apples and blackberries picked from nearby bushes. The marriage lasted for 49 years when I became a widow.

Begin at the Beginning

This is very new to me but I expect that is how most people begin their first blog. I might find that it is not for me but will give it a try. At my age, 80, I should have plenty to talk about and it will probably be mostly about my long life with a few remarks on my take on modern life and manners.

I think that will do as an introduction, I may or may not be back.