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September 05, 2007
Ding Dong - the bells are gonna chime!
We have just experienced our first Scottish wedding...well we had been to a ceremony before but not the full day celebration. It was SO MUCH FUN. I have come to the conclusion that Americans don't really know how to celebrate properly. Our 2 hour wedding receptions just don't seem to cut it when compared with a whole day of merry making.
So our friends Peter (McNeely) and Joanne (Wood) were married last Saturday. (I am posting pics for those in Tacoma who know and love Pete.) Pete's American, Jo's English and they were married in Scotland so the day was a blend of several different traditions...although, now that I think of it, there wasn't a whole lot of American flavour except that the bride came down the aisle after her bridesmaids, instead of before.
The ceremony was in the beautiful parish church in the middle of town - as we entered the church (Holy Trinity, by name, where Knox preached) the bells rang overhead. Inside, the stained glass and Gothic arches provide a wonderful feeling of being caught up in countless generations of worshippers.
Our minister, Alasdair, conducted the ceremony with his usual grace, sincerity and occasional touch of humor.
Afterwards we all wandered down to the grounds of the old cathedral for some photo shots. St Andrews in the sun is breathtaking. The sea was deep blue, the grass was dry and friendly and occasional gusts of wind reminded one that we were, after all, right on the coast of the North Sea.
The best part of the day was the Wedding Breakfast, as it is called. This is the meal for the close friends and family of the bride and groom, held directly after the ceremony. We had the whole upper floor of the Doll's House Restaurant in town. Delicious food, great conversation and wine flowed in abundance. What else could you ask for? The atmosphere was one of joy and celebration - it was a moment I will remember for a long time.
And then in the evening was the ceilidh. This was the Scottish part of the day - Englanders would have a disco or some other dance, but Jo is an expert ceilidh dancer and she and Pete have some friends who make up a pretty darn good ceilidh band. We ended the evening dancing the Dashing White Sergeant and Gay Gordons and then bid our goodbyes to the bride and groom, walking home under the stars, very tired indeed but feeling like our friends were well and truly celebrated. I loved this day.
| By j and b | 08:49 PM
Comments
Did you do the "Dashing White Sergeant" or the "Gay Gordon?" I hear those are pretty famous and historical reels.
Posted by: Sister Kari at October 11, 2007 05:00 PM
Hey, I'd pay to see my brother "cutting a rug" but only if he did it in a "plaidie!"
Posted by: Sister Kari at September 26, 2007 07:48 PM
That sounds like such a fun time! I think you're right: the Scots really know how to party.
Posted by: Abigail at September 6, 2007 11:06 PM
I loved your pictures and the description of the wedding. Sounds wonderful!
Posted by: RT at September 6, 2007 10:08 PM
Bry - I love your description of the day! It reminds me of The Great Celebration described in "Tales of the Restoration." I'm sure I must have shared that book with you in the Big House at some point. (At least, I hope so.) Anyway, so glad you guys were able to truly celebrate what an amazing gift marriage is! :)
Posted by: Janna Mawhinney at September 6, 2007 03:23 PM