Wedding to savour in a changing world

I WENT to a family wedding last week, a happy occasion which has been months (almost years) in the planning

- ANDY PHILLIPS

 

Happily, it went off without a hitch. The bride looked beautiful in her dress, the groom had a constant smile, and the guests all got on, whether they had known each other for a few minutes or their entire lifetimes. It was, in short, everything you would want a wedding to be for two people who you love, and love each other. And yet, there was plenty which was not traditional about it.

It did not involve a church, for starters. Or a vicar. It all took place in a boutique hotel, with the ceremony in a room overlooking part of the gardens which then transformed into the dining room while the happy couple and their guests had photos and enjoyed a drink at the bar.

Instead of a religious figure, there was a well-spoken celebrant who spoke of love and commitment, but not the Father, Son or the Holy Ghost (or Holy Goat, if you've seen Four Weddings and a Funeral).