... And the reception

You've seen the wedding pics, now for some reception pics ...

On each table there was a table name, my table was called Lord Nelson & Lady Hamilton, I like to think it was a fitting name ;)

 

 some of the other tables were called John & Yoko, Monica & Chandler, Kate & William, Mark Anthony & Cleopatra, Romeo & Juliet

 and at each place setting there was a card.

This picture is a bit blurred, but the card reads

"A donation has been made on your behalf to Cancer Research UK to celebrate the marriage of Leanne & Mark"  

This charity is very close to our hearts, as my aunty, Marks mother, died from breast cancer 10 years ago.

The cake, lovingly made by Wayne, my daughters fiancee.

Mark making his speech ~ 

as you can see in this picture the head table was called Eileen & David in memory of Marks parents. (As well as the loss of his mum ten years ago, his dad (my uncle) died last year.) It was such a lovely way to include them in the celebrations.

Doesn't really need an explanation, so I won't :)

First dance

My Midlands weekend

At last we have had some sunshine and it couldn't have come at a better time than this weekend, for my cousin's wedding in Upton, Nr Nuneaton.

The hotel we stayed in was called The Millers, which is not far, in Sibson, from the reception. It is run by Old English Inns and definitely looks the part. It was really good value for money at £55 for a double room for the night and full English, plus continental, 

breakfast the next morning.  Even the dinner the first night was really good value at £9.99 for 2 main meals. Mmmm large battered haddock, chip & peas, love it.

Whilst eating our meal we were sat next to a beautiful fireplace and in the corner of the restaurant there was a working waterwheel.

And if your looking for a wedding reception venue, this could be the place to go.

We took a drive to Tamworth to look around the shopping centre, it's about a 30 minute drive from the hotel but mostly through beautiful country lanes, so a very pleasant drive. Tamworth has an indoor shopping centre above their multi storey carpark, level 5 as well as high street shops where there was also market stalls, which I love. A nice surprise was seeing some owls, probably my favourite bird, being exhibited in order to raise money for The Midlands Wildlife Trust.

The evening wedding reception was a little unconventional, held on a farm which is also used as a lorry park, in 2 large marquees. A reception with a pink bath, 

musical instruments, dressing up clothes, masks, 

odd table decorations, 

 

massive balloons and a mini art gallery,

outside a wood burner and a bar-b-cue.  It may have been unconventional but it was so very much the style I would have expected from my cousin and her new husband.

The happy couple had made their own play list, so no DJ, which had people up dancing throughout the night and into the early morning.

I do love family gatherings and this was no exception, three of my American cousins came to celebrate, two of which I had never met before. It was lovely getting to know them, I love to listen to their accent and was amazed at the tobacco chewing, heard of it, not seen anyone doing it before. I don't think it's done much in Britain today.

It was a wonderful weekend and to top it all the sun shone the next day and amazingly, now on Monday morning it is still shining, long may it continue.