As I waited patiently outside Ealing Abbey, my little car was being ambushed by driving rain. All I could think was, 'Poor Lucy and Noel, come on weather, not on their wedding day, SERIOUSLY? Come on.’ Then suddenly, the clouds cleared and out popped the sun and a big blue sky in a biblical 'parting' sense... quite apt for my location - or maybe it was just the weather‘messing’with my mind! Regardless, an hour or so later we were in total darkness, but hey, Lucy and Noel, it was sunny on your wedding day!
No rain means no wet hair - and/or
awkward car exits - and thus a perfectly poised and beaming bride entered the
most exquisite Abbey, looking beautiful and arm-in-arm with one very proud dad
and nephew, in matching kilts. Bless. Too cute!
All smiles were on Lucy and
Noel as she walked the gazillion miles down the aisle. OK, OK, it’s a
slight exaggeration but abbeys certainly have long aisles. Father Peter
gave a lovely service and, thankfully (on the day), got their names right and
didn't confuse this wedding with that of Noel Gallagher’s. This is why there
are wedding rehearsals good people... they iron out these ‘minor’ confusions
between rock stars and deputy head teachers. Noel definitely looked less rock
star and more movie star though; when I was photographing him and his four
brothers (their mother deserves a medal I’m sure ;-), they looked like
something from the gangster genre. Mazing! (As Lucy and Noel are both teachers,
I must ask them to please forgive my massacring of the English language!)
After the service, everyone was whisked off to Denham Golf Course to enjoy drinks and nibbles followed by hilarious and tear inducing speeches. The JUDGES - aka the best men - donned white wigs, shouted 'ORDER, ORDER!' a lot and reviewed the evidence against the poor man and determined Noel was ‘GUILTY! Guilty as charged!’ He didn’t have a hope really!
The merriment continued with a striptease by the groom (it was a lot less salacious then I make out, but I’ll leave it to everyone’s imagination) and a beautiful first dance, not rushed but truly enjoyed by the bride and groom and everyone watching. I for one had some more time then usual to shoot it so I thank you both for that. And, of course, no self-respecting Anglo-Irish wedding would be the same without an acoustic guitar and some singing. Noel’s cousins were fantastic on stage and got everyone up on their feet and dancing like loons. Bravo ladies. You did your cousin proud!
So, to finish, I would like to say a ‘big banner’ congratulations to this wonderful couple. Lucy and Noel, you are without doubt two of the loveliest, most gorgeous people I have come across; both very talented… Noel with his stripping, Lucy with her Ping-Pong ;-) - and I honestly believe any kiddies you teach must surely love you and feel very lucky to have you guide them through the murky world of life and adolescence.
So hats off to you chaps. Go forth, conquer, laugh, love and have a bleedin’ good time doing it together.
With much love,
Loukie Xxx
P.S. I must also say it was lovely to see some old faces - especially Fish and Dieneke (past bride and groom of mine) and BenGC (the feral assistant) – I know you all had an amazing time… I have the evidence!!
