If you regularly read my blog you may have seen a recent item I did about the hunt for some clothing for my Cousins wedding.

Of course, this was no ordinary wedding, but a Regency Style Wedding, in beautiful Suffolk.

The sticking point was that all guests had been asked to dress in suitable Regency style, which left me in quite a quandary. After all, it is not quite my decade of Vintage.

I was lucky enough to find a wonderful lady called Amanda who owns a website called Complete Costumes that both hires and sells clothing from virtually every era in History.

Making contact with her, I was able to arrange a date to go and visit her and try on the different outfits she had to offer, to make sure I could get something that would fit me.

Testing it Out

If you missed it, you can read about my adventure here

Now it was the special day and I was raring to go with my Regency look. I had the outfit all ready and I just needed to get my hair and make up sorted out.

On My Way

I had stayed in a local hotel overnight and had used foam rollers in my hair to give it a tight curl which I was going to hopefully pile on my head with ringlets at the sides.

Trying my makeup look out…

Because I know how long it takes for my rolled hair to dry, I had taken my hair dryer and a cap that attaches to it. Sitting watching a film on my tablet I was drying my hair slowly, turning the hairdryer off if it felt too hot.

It was during one of these drying periods that I noticed the hairdryer was glowing orange and when I checked, the hairdryer had heated up so much it had started to melt!

Really not a good start.

Thankfully the Wedding was in the middle of the afternoon so I thought I had enough time for it to be dried.

Off for Breakfast in my curlers!

Getting up in the morning, I started to unroll my hair only to find that some of it was dried and the rest was wet and sticky with setting lotion.

PANIC!

I just didn’t know quite what to do.

Taking the sections of hair that were still wet, I pin-curled them with hair grips and then used the hotel hairdryer on those sections specifically. When it was all dry, I took the pins out and was left with a complete fuzzball of blonde hair on my head.

My only thought was that as I had recently had it dyed, maybe it was a bit more porous and that is why it hadn’t dried and then went soft and fuzzy?

Not a bad effort?

Either way I was a bit lost on what to do as time was ticking on and I needed to salvage it somehow.

On a whim I decided to try and curl it in a regency style poodle at the front of my head. Random, but I didn’t have a lot of choices left.

Semi Poodle?

Eventually I was dressed, accessorised and ready for the big day.

The Full Works

The Bride, Emma had asked if I would give out the Orders of Service to the guests at the Church so I arrived there early to do so, only to find that the Church Wardens had done it all for me.

From the tip of the boots to the top of my hat

Sitting in a Church that was hundreds of years old, in an outfit that harked from a time over 200 years ago waiting for the similarly attired guests to arrive.

Perfect Location

When Emma arrived on the arm of her Father, I was blown away. She literally looked like she had stepped out of history.

Wearing a cream and gold gown with an Ostrich feather bedecked hat, she was simply glorious.

Her handsome husband to be was decked out in full Naval regalia and the look on his face as his Bride walked down the Aisle was just wonderful.

What a Line Up!

The service was lovely, if a little different to normal. There was no singing allowed, but four choristers delighted us with the three hymns that had been chosen.

My Walker was not very Regency

Emma had five bridesmaids, all wearing a different colour gown made by Auntie Jane and they were absolutely beautiful.

I have to admit that the best part for me was the reading by one of the bridesmaids Amy, which was called ‘The Lovely Love Story’ by Edward Monkton which was all about a Dinosaur and a Lovely Other Dinosaur.

A Beautiful Story…

It was so sweet and it certainly put a smile on my face, as well as many of the other guests.

Emma and Peter signed the register along with their witnesses and walked together slowly down the aisle, out into the beautiful English Countryside.

Sublime Outfits

Thankfully I had a walker/seat that I could use to get outside and took the most of the opportunity to sit and people watch. Pictures were being taken, people mingling and chatting with one another.

With all Parents

Looking at Peter and Emma together was wonderful. They looked so fantastic in all their finery and I was so glad that I had been able to get an outfit sorted as I wouldn’t have missed this for the World.

Such a Wonderful Occasion

After taking pictures outside of the Church, the whole wedding party departed in their cars to a local beauty spot in Bury St Edmunds, Abbey Gardens.

Abbey Gardens

These gardens are extremely picturesque with the ruins of a medieval Monastery and overflowing flower beds. It was the absolutely perfect place to get wedding pictures and literally just around the corner from The Athenaeum where the reception was to be held.

The Happy Couple

Emma had already advised that I would be on the table with her Mum and Dad, My Uncle and Aunt. I was also really chuffed to be seated with my two cousins, Alison and Dale and their Mum, Auntie Josie.

A Little Rest in Abbey Gardens

As with a lot of families, especially those who live a distance apart, we only usually see each other at Births, Deaths and Weddings. This would be a lovely chance to catch up and enjoy each others company.

A Beautiful Table

Walking into the room where the Reception was to be held, my eyes were delighted to see huge roses, books, teapots and flowers everywhere.

Flower Bedecked

Emma had gone for an Alice in Wonderland theme.

Table Plan

I was sat on the Cheshire Cat table and in front of my place was a large brown paper wrapped package, tied up with string, a Queen of hearts tag and an ornate metal key.

For Me?

There was also a lovely glass bowl holding sweets, chocolates and sweet confectionary, miniature teacups, teapots and little multicoloured mice with long tails sitting inside teapots (made by Emma’s Mum)

Marvellous Mouses

In a sugar bowl was a small material wrapped ‘ball’ tied with ribbon and I didn’t have a clue what it was all about.

What on Earth?

It turned out that these cute little parcels were ‘Bee Bombs’; bundles of wildflower seeds to throw in your gardens!

What a smashing idea.

On a raised area was a stunning cake and a family of knitted bunnies, all bedecked in their wedding finery. I was later told that the cake had been made by Peters’ Mum and Emma had knitted all of the creatures.

The Cake

It was a real family affair.

Regency Rabbits

It was at this point that Emma explained that the wrapped parcels on our tables were books personally chosen by her, but once opened, if we already had it or it wasn’t to our taste, there was the opportunity to swap with some  books on a main table or with each other.

The key which was very decorative was also practical as it was a bottle opener!

Swap Shop

The first course was served. An artichoke tartlet, smoked mackerel pate, a chicken skewer and a skewer of chorizo and prawn. Each of the morsels were delicate, tasty and very moreish.

Starter Plate

In between courses there was a portion of chocolate covered strawberries which were fabulous and whilst unexpected, very welcomed.

I had chosen Pork for the main course; this was done in three ways. Roast pork, pork fillet and pulled pork all served with mashed potato and carrot with a white creamy sauce.

Pork Three Ways

I have to admit it was so very good and even though I was very full, I didn’t stop until every speck was gone.

There was a little gap between courses and we all sat chatting, before it was dessert time. I literally was full to bursting, but when the little plates came out with jelly, a lemon tartlet, chocolate mousse in a chocolate cup and fresh raspberries, I had to try at least one bite of everything.

Delightful Desserts

It was all divine and of course, I polished the lot off!

There was a fantastic Toastmaster who led the proceedings throughout the reception and he was also instrumental in handing out little gifts to the parents, bridal party and then my name was called out?!?!

The Marvellous Toastmaster

I was confused and didn’t respond and then he came over to me and handed me a lovely red decorative tin. It was as a thank you for handing out the orders of service!

Stunning

During earlier conversation with Emma and Uncle Alan, I had confessed that I hadn’t had to give the booklets out as it had already been done for me, so I felt very guilty to have a present for doing absolutely nothing.

Inside the cute little tin was two tube of L’Occitane hand cream which had such wonderful scents. I was both very grateful and very lucky.

Top Table

After the dinner had finished, I headed to the ladies to change outfits. I hadn’t realised the evening was speeding by and as I had hired the two outfits, I was determined to get the wear out of them.

Emma thought it was fantastic and encouraged me to change. Off came the peach, cream and tan dress and on went a silky green and gold gown, tiara, gold shawl and bag.

All Change

Heading back to the reception room, the speeches were in mid flow so I stood outside the door listening as I didn’t want to walk right through the middle of someone’s special moment.

Eventually I was able to sit down and it was then the Toastmaster told us he had also been hired for his storytelling abilities.

Sadly, due to the COVID pandemic, Regency dancing was not allowed and so the happy couple had to change their plans somewhat. This involved a little storytelling and a quiz!

The Happy Couple

The Toastmaster had a melodious voice and told the tale of Bury St Edmunds and how it got its name. He talked of Kings of Old, torture, miracles, Henry VIII and more.

I was completely transfixed and lapped up every word. After all, I love History and I love learning, so I was in my element.

After the story, it was time to get ready for the quiz.

Cards and Teapots

To be honest, at this point I was pretty tired, in some discomfort and it had been a long day. I planned to make my goodbyes and so spoke to Emma and Peter, thanking them for my invite and to say what an amazing day I had experienced.

Moving on to make my goodbyes to all the family, Emma asked the first question of the Quiz.

Nobody else on the Cheshire Cat table knew the answer.

Table 1 – The Cheshire Cat

The question?

What was the name of Alice in Wonderland’s Cat?

However, it was somewhere in the back of my brain. Then it hit me – Dinah!

I passed the answer to Alison who was doing the writing.

Then the second question came, and It was all too late…… I was hooked!

Green and Gold

Well, you know me, I do love a good quiz.

I stayed until the last question was asked and re-made my goodbyes before asking them to let me know how we scored! Oh and for the record we were pipped to the post and got second place.

End of the Night

The quiz was just such good fun that it didn’t matter who actually won, there was much fun had trying to come up with the answers.

All told, it was the perfect end, to a perfect wedding on a perfect day.

Till next time

SPSG xxx