The Wedding

Emeli!

On Tuesday I caught the train from Reading to Kent to meet up with Simon and start getting ready for the big day. It was great to see everyone again, especially wee Emeli, Ben's niece, who we saw a few months ago in NZ.

So after lots of good catch ups the big day finally arrived. Ben stayed here on the eve of the wedding (we're staying with Ben's parents) and he was up very early on Thursday, he just couldn't wait to see his beautiful bride. We left for the venue at about 10.30am, the wedding started at 1pm but we wanted to check in to our accommodation and I was dying to see the venue because Simon had told me how amazing it was. He wasn't wrong, it was out of this world.

Chilston Park Hotel has been around since the 15th century and as soon as I got there I was impressed.

Chilston Park

Some of the grounds

Where the ceremony was

My handsome beau a.k.a Best Man

Dapper lad

Converted stable = accommodation

Once we got settled in we started enjoying the sunshine and getting ready for the wedding to start. I was quick to find wee Emeli.

Warming up for a smile

Got it!

Could not believe I didn't have to wear a jacket!

I got quite emotional when Julia came in, she looked stunning and Ben looked like the happiest guy in the world. 

Ben, Simon, Stephen and Martyn

Thomas and Eleanor (Thomas is Simon's BIGGEST fan)

Stunning bride

Mr and Mrs Mills!

After the ceremony we enjoyed some sunshine in the grounds around the house. This is when I first met the magician! Apparently they are quite common at English weddings. He did card tricks and was just amazing really. He was there for the whole day and kept everyone very entertained.

Magic!

Bridal party

Next was the wedding breakfast. I really all the traditions that they have which were different from other weddings I'd been to. Ben and Julia greeted everyone as we walked in and this was quite special. I sat next to some friends I'd met last time in Kent through Julia and had lots of laughs. During the breakfast the magician got me really good!

Wedding favour

YUM!

Magic!

Fancy!

BFFs

The meal was superb. Then came the speeches. I was nervous for Simon but he spoke so well (I knew he would) and represented us kiwis very well. Ben's speech made every woman reach for her tissues, it was lovely.

Then we all danced the night away and everyone was tucked up in bed by midnight. Very respectable I thought.

Hard to believe Julia is 7 months pregnant!!!

In the morning we all enjoyed a buffet breakfast and then a few of us had a walk around the grounds to enjoy it one last time.

Simon, Zara, Ben and Julia

Friends for life

View from the walk

Cut in half by lightning?

Follow the arrow

So many daffodils!

This was our gift to Emeli in NZ. Chuffed she was wearing it today!

Tomorrow we are going to Canterbury to do a bit of sight seeing, just the two of us, so that will be nice. Then we are having dinner with the crew one last time before heading back to Reading on Sunday. It'll be sad to say goodbye because we don't know when we'll see them again... What an amazing time we have had though, so many good memories made.

So our first and maybe last English wedding has come and gone and as you can see from the pictures it was well worth the trip! 

All the best to new Mr and Mrs Ben Mills! X