Kicking off the five weddings this year was Gareth Corris and Louise Steele’s big day back in May 8 (yes, I know it was two months ago!). So how did I get an invite? Well Gareth’s older brother is my brother-in-law Ben. Like I said it’s all relative.
The big day took place at the Marriott Victoria and Albert Hotel in Manchester. Forget the traditional architecture, backdrop of the city skyline and the canal. Oh no, to me the best part of this hotel was the doorman by the name of Babysham who may have been less than five foot but had the most infectious laugh and charm.
I managed to convince Ben and my sister Wendie to crash in there room for the night. After all there were two double beds and I was not paying over £100 for a room of my own! Rather than pay half I managed to take advantage of my status as the vulnerable younger sibling with a piss poor job that pays pittance, therefore rendering me eternally broke. Result: free accommodation. I did have to fork out a grand total, bank breaking £25. (I also bought them a round (note singular – hotel prices after all!)
Back to the wedding. I wore my turquoise green knee length chiffon dress. So it was not entirely new (I’ve worn it once on a night out in Flares, Derby and a birthday night out in Manchester) BUT it is one of favourites. Hair was done up in a traditional bun much to the approval of my mum who maintains I look 30 when my hair is down and big. Funnily enough Wendie wore green too – a gorgeous emerald A-line dress which was voted Top 5 in Grazia! Not that sis cared anyway despite being a subscriber of the fashion rag.
Before the reception guests hung around the bar. With my ridiculously large wine glass filled with white wine and lemonade, I did my usual and mingled. Wendie, myself and a girl called Jess almost missed the start of the ceremony because we were nattering in the beer garden.
But thankfully the bride was fashionably late. The wait in silence, prompted Ben to whisper rather inappropriately and loudly to the groom, ‘maybe she’s not coming!’ He was wrong.
Louise wore a stunning, strapless gown and looked radiant. As she walked up the aisle with her proud father David I turned to look at Gareth who had a huge smile on his face. I could tell he was nervous as he waited for his wife-to-be by the deep breaths and nervous glances to the door (no, not because he was checking for the nearest exit routes!) But as soon as the door opened and the music started, his face said it all: She’s The One.
After the ceremony and photos, came the meal. As I was a single guest, fortunately I was seated on the same table as Wendie, Ben and Jess – at least there would be three sane people to talk to if by freak of nature I was sat next to someone who had zero social skills. But no need to have feared as I was seated next to a gay couple (one was called Phil) who told me all about how they met on Facebook and how much they hated commercial music like Madonna. My years of being around the Gays came in handy as I knew instantly what topics to embellish on.
Then came the evening do – the dancing. I’m sorry to say that I forgot what the bride and groom’s first dance was. To be fair I was not familiar with the song anyway. As the night went on I noticed just how empty the dance floor was. It was pushing on 10pm and still people seemed reluctant to dance. Usually I never pass on an opportunity to shake and twirl until the early hours but note to Mr DJ, Biffy Clyro and The Killers doth not a dance floor fill with an all ages demographic! Instead, by this point I was enjoying my overpriced G&Ts and the one Strawberry Daiquiri that took 10 minutes to make and cost £7.50!
It was only when Jane the maid of honour came up to me asking for my help that my inner DJ Debs, the one that is reserved strictly for house parties and cheesy places like Flares, came out. I went up to the DJ and made a few requests. That quickly turned into a full tracklist. I am proud to say that the songs I picked got people on the floor. Whitney Houston, Madonna, Cheryl Cole, GLEE!, Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow, ABBA, Dirty Dancing and so forth works everytime! I was so proud of this moment that I even texted a few people declaring my fabulousness!
By the end of the night, things wound down and cue the ballads for the loved up couples. Fortunately these tender moments were captured by yours truly – more on how they were almost destroyed! The night for me ended around 2am. Ben and Wendie had already crashed out by midnight, rock and roll.
Gareth and Louise’s wedding for me was a real first – I had never been to a full, Western wedding where the emphasis was all about intimate, small and private. I doubt there were more than 100 people at the ceremony. It was an eye opener to be at a wedding where unlike typical Chinese dos with an average turnout of 300, it was all about the close family and friends of the bride and groom. It was a privilege to be invited.
Wedding gift: $30 for their honeymoon somewhere in the Caribbean.
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