Katherine and Todd's Wedding Day!

I'm begging your indulgence this post, as I'm such a proud auntie this week, I want to share my happiness with you! I've had such a busy week but it was worth it. What a wonderful day, full of joy, laughter and love!

We helped out all day Friday with decorating, flowers, transporting the cake etc (quite a challenge that one!), and were worn out from all that - so I don't know how my family have coped over the last few months. It was all worth it though. The wedding was at St Mary's Church in Lydney and the couple were married by Jonathan, the vicar, who is also their close friend, which made it even more special.

The reception was held in the beautiful Wye Valley, opposite wonderful Tintern Abbey!


I thought you would like to see the wonderful effort Katherine (and Todd!) had put into making everything look beautiful so here is a view of the table decorations.

The Wye Valley is known as the birthplace of British Tourism, after the Reverend William Gilpin, who coined the term "Picturesque", in the C18th. He saw the landscape as

"expressive of that peculiar beauty which is agreeable in a picture."

His writings influenced the remarkable popularity of English landscape painting during the last decade of the 18th Century, and inspired the Romantic poets. In honour of this tradition, each table was named after a different poet, with an appropriate verse of their creation.
Katherine had baked and decorated these gorgeous heart shaped biscuits for each guest, and the little (home made) envelopes contained packets of seeds for every one to take home and plant. I'm so proud of how beautifully she did all this ( plus making all the invitations and Order of Services!) All the children had special place settings (according to their ages) with bumblebee toys, bubbles and colouring books etc.

My brother made such a great speech, and when Todd spoke, Andy said he was almost moved to tears ( wow, praise indeed!) I was happily dabbing my eyes!

So, here we are, scrubbed up - in our wedding finery, and me in hat No 2.


Here is my happy family, my brother John, sister- in- law Rosemary, my younger niece Lizzie, who was bridesmaid, and of course the beautiful bride!

And here's the happy couple! My lovely new nephew Todd couldn't stop smiling all day.

I am in this one, can you spot me? You'll have to look hard, I was hiding , I really prefer to be on the other side of the camera!

A very proud Auntie Julie with my lovely niece!

So, after a wonderful day they can open their presents and then go on an amazing honeymoon, to Borneo, hopefully to see and give support to endangered Orang Utans.

Thanks for letting me share with you all. x