Today began with getting ready and helping the bride to look her most gorgeous (not hard as she already is) all accompanied with the talented photographer Linus Moran snapping away as we got ready.

Before we knew it it was past the time we were meant to have left- upstairs in the hidden depths of the house we had no idea of time nor that everyone else had left for the church and our car had arrived...

Cue a panicked dash to the car, checking the house for anyone left behind (it was a big house with many hidden corridors, secret stairs and multiple places for someone to get lost).

Our driver was the sweetest old man, whom I'm sure is used to hearing all types of conversations and confessions in the back of his car. But he kept quiet only to at one point to let us know he had no idea of the way to go...

Not what we needed to hear as our hearts were already racing.

But, after stopping in the middle of the local village (holding up all traffic) and asking anyone he could see for directions we were soonish back on track and as we drove the clouds parted and the sun really began to shine.

It was a beautiful, leafy drive to the venue and it seemed surreal that the day long awaited and planned for was finally here. 

Close to the venue our chat was interrupted by the driver telling us we had 5 minutes to go and it was the bride's last chance to change her mind and drive in a different direction...

Fortunately there was no decision to be made and soon we arrived.

The next few minutes passed in a blur of panic as the bride took care of a meeting with the registrars whilst I and the other bridesmaid realised we really had no idea what to do. How should we walk? Do we go slow? Fast? One behind the other? Side-by-side? Holding hands? How on earth do two grown women act as bridesmaids? 

Before we knew it the time had arrived and as myself and the other bridesmaid began walking (to the backdrop of the bride yelling at us not to hold hands) the rest of the event passed in a blur of emotion as we watched two of the nicest, funniest and friendliest people possible marry each other.

Many tears were shed (I think seeing the groom break into tears as he watched his bride walk towards him was the last straw for anyone holding back their own tears of happiness), many laughs were had and, as the sun shone on us, they were married.

Before long we were back at Northmoor House where good food and drink kept us happy, great speeches made us laugh and shed more tears and music kept us all dancing until long past the midnight hour.