Last weekend I had the pleasure of officiating a very alternative wedding indeed – a festival wedding with a Steampunk / Ska vibe in deepest Suffolk!
The wedding had been set up just like a festival, with music, portaloos, cans of cider and BBQ on to go… all carefully arranged around a large tent, which was packed with straw bales and gypsophila to add to the country vibe. The ceremony was decorated with voodoo folk touches in the form of mexican dancing skeletons and decorated masks, slotted in amongst the bunting.
The bridesmaids carried boquets of baby’s breath which had been cleverly dyed to match the colours of their dresses (purple, green and black) whilst the bride herself coloured a rainbow spray of roses. Not one too wear white, the bride entered in a teal green dress and bustle ready to meet her tartan-clad punk rock husband. Their two daughters wore rainbow tutus which were super cute! There whole room was filled with glorious colour.
I couldn’t resist a quick selfie with the sound man – his DJ box was filled to the brim with old CDs and records ranging from ska to punk to reggae to blues – and all that fell inbetween. We listened to an 80s gothic sound track together whilst waiting for guests to arrive, and as I set up for the ceremony we had a little shanty singsong too. I may have bopped about a bit before the proceedings all kicked off… it was too hard to resist!
The bride and her father entered to an original 1897 sound recording of ‘Daisy Daisy Give Me Your Answer Do’ and guests sang along to the chorus with little lyric cards that were waiting on their chairs following the instruction ‘To be opened on arrival of the bride!’
It could not have been more apt a song for this couple, and at the end of the ceremony they exited the tent on an actual bicycle made for two, riding to the beat of The Cure’s ‘Love Cats’ whilst everybody clapped and cheered at their wobbly ride out across the field!
The ceremony was very emotional, and both the bride and the groom found themselves tearful as together we all celebrated the trials and tribulations that their love had endured. But they stood loud and proud and I couldn’t have loved them more for it. It was a very meaningful day to them both.
There was no exchanging of wedding bands – the couple had opted for tattoos instead – but we did cary out a hand fasting which incorporated not just their union as a couple, but the coming together of their family and two girls as well. Where love was concerned, my couple were traditional at heart and the ceremony was filled with honour and sentiment.
What I loved about this wedding more than anything else, is that the whole day had been so perfectly planned to match my couple, their style and the lifestyle that they live. The day was about them, and they didn’t try to do anything that they didn’t feel was right or appropriate to their way of life. They proudly celebrated their union in a way which said – this is us! And why not? That’s what love is all about in the end…. being yourself, and being accepted for being you too.
I had so much fun, and their guests did too. I didn’t want to leave! Everyone was either chilling out with drink or dancing around a strawbale by the end. There was love, laughter and happy tears in abundance. My couple made sure that everyone had a good time, and everyone really did – them more than anyone!
You beautiful pair – you were such a pleasure to get to know, and a joy to work with. I’m so honoured that I could help to give you a day which meant so much to you both… x
