The Bridal table in full splendour
The reception was held in Garden
World's amazing hall, with the
tables placed around a swimming
pool, and dripping with tropical plants.
The harpist, who had provided music
throughout the wedding, played
appropriate love songs during the
reception too - the harp was the
very best instrument we could have
chosen for this spring garden wedding,
and the harpist herself was magnificent!
The brunch was a buffet of
wonderful food, in huge amounts
... my favourites were the Maraschino
cherries rolled in bacon, and the
cheesy haddock, but the whole spread
was a delicious fantasy! On offer
were yoghurts, a fresh fruit platter, cereals,
scrambled eggs, bacon and cherry
rolls, grilled tomatoes with cheese, beef
sausages, haddock in cheese sauce,
breads, danish pastries, croissants,
muffins, and scones with butter
and honey. Wow!
Laughter during the toasts and
speeches.
In good tradition, Andrew embarrassed
his daughter and
delighted the guests by recalling
a story of rebellion and
discipline from her childhood. All
the speeches were kept
short and to the point, and every
word carried!
The champagne was non-alcoholic,
and tasted just like the
real thing ~ and we could have as
much as we liked
without worrying about who was driving
home! :-)
The fresh orange juice set it off
nicely, and we finished
off the meal with coffee and tea.
The proud husband toasts his
beautiful wife.
Phil made the kind of speech that
makes you want to cry
with joy. The deep love and respect
between these two
bodes very well for their future!
I didn't make a speech (the Bride's
mother doesn't!),
but if I had been able to, this
is what I'd have said:
Luana, it has been an honour and
a privilege to have you
as my daughter. You were a gift
straight from God, and are
a very special person - not just
because you're my child,
but because you are finely and
wonderfully made that way.
Today my mission is accomplished.
I feel a deep pride and
joy in you; you have come through
the first 20 years of your
life with strength and grace,
and you are more than ready
to be an excellent wife ~ just
as you have been a more than
excellent daughter. Your patience,
kindness, concern for
others, and your innate goodness
are a light to the world.
Always remember their source
~ your Saviour and
highest Lover, Jesus Christ.
Truly, I envisage in you the woman
of Proverbs, chapter 31.
Remember especially v30: "Charm
and grace are deceptive,
and beauty is vain [because it
is not lasting], but a woman who
reverently and worshipfully fears
the Lord, she shall be praised!"
