We were so thrilled yesterday to watch our godson Jim marry his beautiful fiancee Gemma in such a wonderful ceremony in the perfect venue on the perfect day.
The wedding was in a gorgeous manor house near Shepton Mallet and the weather could not have been more perfect. (actually a little cooler would have been even more perfect but we get so few days like yesterday it is not right to complain) Actually the very bright sun also made the photographs hard to capture - but we captured them with our hearts even if the photos are not great.
What made it even more perfect was it was THEIR wedding. They had made all the decorations, made it so personal, put everything up themselves (lots of hard work) and wanted no stuffy formality - it was fun and games (quit lieterally with games on the lawn) and probably the most personal and appropriate wedding I have ever been to. It was small but every guest was there for a reason and made to feel the day wouldn't have been perfect without them.
Jim is our godson, son of one of my oldest friends (in years known not in age of course) and the baby I helped to deliver almost 30 years ago. How did he get to be the man he is today so quickly. Nigel was so blessed to have been invited to be one of the best men (he had three) and he has always been so incredibly close to him.
The service was outside and it was a beautiful beautiful service
I loved that they decorated the venue themselves - with help from so many others too
Cue a lot of photos of such a happy happy day watching two people so obviously in love commit to each other for ever
Jim with his mom ... my friend Gina
Gemma was walked down the aisle by both her father and her step father and I loved that they all enjoyed it so much and the 'dads' high fived when they delivered their daughter to Jim.
The mother of bride and groom were the two witnesses
and Nigel passed over Gemma's amazing ring which Jim had designed himself and it interwove with her engagement ring ... very clever.
I have never seen a bride show more obvious love and joy when she was finally married
as well as lawn games and canapes before dinner, there was a sweetie tent with chocolate fountain and candy floss. My sort of wedding!!
The reception was in the coach house which they had again decorated themselves - it looked like a fairy-tale and yet also had the Japanese flair they love - they are hoping to live in Japan for a while soon. The place names were paper airplanes and battles ensured and we had favours and bubbles to play with too.
The cake was amazing featuring a Japanese warrior carrying away his bride, but Gemma has surprised Jim with an addition of a futurama rocket he hadn't seen. I love that they have such fun together.
Jim made the most amazing speech and prayer which reduced us to tears and they gave everyone who had been a part of the wedding - the bridesmaids, parents and best men gifts. Nigel was totally blown away by hos which was incredible. Ever since Jim was born Nigel has said to him 'Who'se the best team in the world' and long before he understood what it meant, a little tiny Jim replied 'Angels'. It has lasted the years. The very first time we met Gemma Jim said - 'go on - ask her' and Nigel did and she dutifully replied 'angels' It has been such a long standing tradition between them. He bought Nigel a genuine MLB Angels team shirt. Nigel was beyond words not only at the generosity but at the thought.
It was such an amazing day and we are blessed to have been part of it and even more blessed to have had this wonderful young man as such a significant part of our lives for the past 30 years.
We hope they are blessed with an exceptionally long and happy marriage.
Hi Karen & Nij,
What a beautiful wedding!! Everything looked lovely and it seemed like a fun time for all. I am happy for you both as well as Jim & Gemma. Thanks for posting photos of their special day.
Hugs from across the pond,
Mike in sunny FL
Posted by: Mike Smith | July 07, 2017 at 02:50 AM
What a lovely couple! And such a beautiful day for an extra special occasion. Thank you for sharing the photos. :-)
Posted by: Barb inAK | July 07, 2017 at 03:31 AM