Married twice in one day!
Thursday 4th September 2008
Your wedding day's supposed to be the happiest of your life. But boy, can it be stressful. That's why, when I got engaged to Ian Moriarty, 31, in November 2006, I decided I didn't want the day to be perfect.
'I don't want to wind up in tears if something goes wrong,' I told Ian.
'So long as we both make it to the church,' he smiled. 'That's what really matters.'
So instead of spending hours trawling round florists and fancy venues, we'd decided to have the reception at the house my mum, Felicity, 67, and dad, Eric, 66, shared in the village of Bourton, and get married at the church up the road. Friends and family pitched in to help. Mum's friend, Brenda Holmes, did the flowers, and my mate, Harriet Wollerton, 30, embroidered a white cushion for our ring bearer, my 5-year-old nephew, George, to carry.
Our big day was 28 June 2008. For the previous week, Mum and Dad's garden had been full of people, cutting back the bushes, mowing the lawn and putting up balloons. And now, here I was, walking up to Holy Trinity Church, holding Dad's arm. Ian was already inside, waiting for my grand entrance. The vicar, Simon Mondon, George, my two bridesmaids, two pageboys and my sister, Eleanor, 34, my matron of honour, were waiting with me.
'Ready?' Dad asked, as he handed George the ring cushion, which had our white gold wedding bands tied to it with ribbon.
'As I'll ever be,' I grinned.
But just then, Eleanor gasped. I hadn't seen what had happened, but as I whirled round, George was hanging his head.
'I was just fiddling with the rings,' he pouted.
'One flew off the cushion,' Eleanor said. 'But I didn't see where it went.'
Peering at the cushion, I could only see one wedding ring tied to
it. Ian's was missing.
'It'll turn up,' I shrugged, as the others scoured the ground.
Ian's ring had cost £200, but I wasn't going to let that ruin my day.
'Here,' the vicar said, taking off his own gold band. 'Use mine.'
'Thanks,' I smiled.
Then, as the organ struck up, I walked into the church. Ian was standing at the altar, a big grin on his face.
'You look amazing,' he said.
'Thanks,' I whispered. 'Don't panic, but we've lost your ring.'
Ian was so nervous, he just nodded. Soon, we'd reached the part of the ceremony where we had to exchange rings. I picked up the gold band.
'I give you this ring…' I began, stifling a giggle.
The vicar's ring was far bigger than Ian's. It looked ridiculous.
But our guests didn't have a clue what was going on, so I pulled myself together and got my words out.
'You may kiss the bride,' the vicar smiled.
After the ceremony, Ian gave the vicar his ring back.
'I can perform a blessing with the real ring when we find
it,' he told us.
By now, I was sure we'd have to buy Ian a replacement, but I was too busy hugging friends and having my photos done to worry about it. By 7pm, we'd had dinner and were all milling around the marquee in Mum and Dad's back garden.
'Hang on,' I heard someone say behind me. 'Isn't this Ian's ring?'
I spun round to see my friend, Kathryn Holmes, 28, holding one
of the bridesmaids' bouquets and peering into it.
Rushing over, I saw something glinting among the flowers.
'That's it!' I gasped, pulling it out.
I grabbed the band's microphone.
'We found the ring!' I laughed.
As everyone cheered, the vicar stepped towards me.
'Shall we do it now?' he asked.
'Get married for the second time today?' I asked.
'Why not?' Ian grinned.
So, standing there on the makeshift dancefloor in my mum and dad's garden, the vicar asked me to repeat after him.
'I give you this ring…' I said again, slipping Ian's band on his finger.
It fitted perfectly.
'You may kiss the bride,' the vicar smiled. 'Again.'
Everyone cheered. It was so spontaneous. I could never imagine feeling happier than I was at that moment. In the end, I was glad George lost Ian's ring. After all, how many brides can say they got married twice in one day?