Sam Smith : 100% Genuine Red-Head

6th August 2005 - Wedding of Elizabeth Anne Smith and Matthew Ross Jenkins

 

On Friday 5th August, as a bridesmaid with the groom's sister, I was taken out to dinner with the future bride and groom.  Hmm a wonderful relaxing Thai meal with a little too much wine.  It was also then that I was presented with a gorgeous silver and purple necklace to say thankyou for being a bridesmaid.  To follow with tradition, the bride Liz wasn't allowed to sleep in the same bed as the groom Matt the night before the wedding, so I stayed in the same room as Liz, and Matt's sister Mel, the other bridesmaid, stayed with the groom. 

 

The day of the wedding was very exciting and a wonderful sunny day.  All the family were arriving, the bride was getting ready showing no signs of nerves at all, and Mel and I were worried that our hair didn't look quite right - hehe, how typical! Walking down the aisle, I felt a little tear appear at the corner of my eye.  Not only did Liz look gorgeous in her dress, but seeing her walk down the aisle arm in arm with my father, and seeing my mother at the side of the chapel crying too, was almost too much to withstand.  As bridesmaids and witnesses, Mel and I sat at the front, trying hard to sing the hymns of the service well, and trying our hardest not to keep crying all ceremony.  Luckily for all, the ceremony was not too long and was really lovely, with happy well-known hymns and a few readings.  After the ceremony, in St John's College Chapel, Oxford (gasp in awe), everybody congregated outside for a wine reception before having photographs taken.  This was my chance to finally talk to my family and friends.  The photos were taken, which seemed to take a while to be honest, and people were feeling more and more restless and hungry.  Then the champagne reception was upon us as we entered the dining hall for the reception dinner.  Once again as bridesmaid, I sat on the head table, next to the bride.  Firstly, the speeches, to start with my father, then the groom, then the best man Matthew.  The three speeches were really really funny, well spoken, not too long and unbelieveabley moving - yes of course i cried once again.  After the speeches, it was time for the meal - this three course meal with wine and baileys or port was unbelieveable - absolutely outstanding.  After all the eating, there was more and more drinking and nice feeling, and then the family started to slowly drift off home.  After this, the few friends and family members left went to the pub to celebrate further.  This was lovely as the friends and families all mixed in well together.  It was the end of a well-planned, lovely day that I thoroughly enjoyed and am really proud to have been a part of - go Lizzy!!!