One month ago, I had the immense privilege of conducting the wedding of my sister and now brother-in-law. Here is the promised blog!

In the week running up to The Day, I was treated to photos of the preparations, especially the flowers. My Mum and Gran are both brilliant flower arrangers and I’ve seen them do arrangements on lots of occasions, for flower festivals, for Christmas, for special services and for my own wedding!

When we were little, Isabelle and I would be in church as they did the flowers. My very earliest memories are of Granny doing the flowers in the church in Tarvin where she used to live. When our little family moved to Retford in 1997, one of the first things we did was go to church, and I don’t think it took Mum long to get involved with things like the flowers. So from a very young age, Isabelle and I would play as the flower arranging was going on, collecting little scraps of flowers and greenery, making tiny bouquets and walking down the aisle, pretending to be brides.

Wind forward a couple of decades, and there I was, stood in the church we’ve been going to all that time, stunning flowers all around me, wearing my bridesmaid dress, waiting for my sister to arrive so I could officiate at her wedding. WOW!

As the wedding was only 4 weeks after Aidan’s due date, it was decided Nathan would be on standby in case I didn’t feel up to it. Now, I wouldn’t have minded if Isabelle and Rick had not chosen church, or if they’d have asked another minister, I’d have been perfectly happy concentrating on bridesmaid duties. But as they did ask me, over my dead body, was anybody else going to do the service!

On the morning, Dad and I arrived at church early so he could ring the bells and I could give Aidan a big feed and hopefully knock him out for the next hour or so. Various lovely people were in church. The bell ringers were gathering and came to say hello. The lady who was verger is called Lavinia, and she was our brown owl when we were Brownies. Collin on the organ is one of the nicest gentlemen I know, and he has been playing the organ there at least since I joined the choir when I was 7.

Just being in that wonderful place, with all the pre-service fizzy-ness that you get when something very special is about to happen, was exhilarating. Our lovely church isn’t having the easiest time at the moment, and so it was a real delight to feel joy, excitement and peace that transcended all that.

As guests were arriving, Collin was playing the organ as always. When he started playing ‘Over The Rainbow’ I took myself off and shed a couple of tears. When was 7, Isabelle’s year goup did the Wizard of Oz and she was Dorothy. Experience has taught me that this was a good move. I knew I would be able to hold it together better during the service if I’d released some emotion beforehand.

Due to the timing of everything, I didn’t see Isabelle completely ready, with hair, makeup, dress, veil and bouquet until she was walking up the path to church with my Dad and the two other bridemaids. I didn’t half get a lump in my throat at that point! Both Isabelle and Dad were quite teary, and with the bells ringing and her veil dancing gently in the breeze, so was I. She looked phenomenal. We had a pause outside to take a few deep breaths, and made our way to the door.

I picked up my bouquet (handily stashed at the back of church) and followed her down the aisle (our preference having always been the traditional English order of bride first). When we got down the aisle, I squeezed between her and Dad, put my bouquet down, picked up my white stole (paid for, gifted to me and blessed by the people of this church), kissed it, put it on and picked up my service book.

‘Those who live in love, live in God and God lives in them’. Welcome to Isabelle and Rick on this wonderful, wonderful day!

And off we went. Witnessing the marriage of two of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known. Isabelle, I met on the day she was born. Rick, I’ve known for a good long time too. And I’ve rarely met two people so well suited. When people ask me how my sister is, I often reply with ‘urgh, sickeningly happy. You’d think it would have worn off my now, but no!’. Obviously, I’m joking. I’m delighted that she’s so happy. I’ve never seen her glow so much. She was glowing on her wedding day, of course she was, but I mean more than that, I mean on normal, boring days. She’s glowing. They’re both so very happy and it’s delightful.

Nathan was, of course, amazing with the kids throughout. We had an emergency bottle for Aidan in case he woke up and was hungry during the service, and Sophia was kept quiet with a huge bag of crisps! All day, I was able to concentrate on being vicar/bridesmaid, and Nathan took care of the kids apart from feeding Aidan – which my dress had been adjusted to accommodate.

Thinking back to the service, when it came to the vows and giving of rings, I had to work hard to keep my voice steady. Leading them in those words and seeing them give themselves to each other, was just beautiful.

‘All that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you’.

When it came to the prayers at the end, I knelt down with them to pray God’s blessing on them and their marriage, before standing to bless the congregation. I’ve never done this before, but looking them in their eyes, and touching their hands was just so special.

At the end, just before the wedding march started, I was able to fluff Isabelle’s train before they walked out of church. Many people thought I was mad, attempting to be bridesmaid and Vicar at the same time, but I was certainly perfectly placed to do that dress fluff!

So I stayed well back for them to go down the aisle together and started off the round of applause. Hugely relieved, I put my service book down, took off my stole, picked up my bouquet and followed them, watching them walk hand in hand into the rest of the day and the rest of their lives.

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