Ok so here's the thing, I love being in love and I love other people being happy.....but I've never really been that enamoured with marriage or weddings. Weddings have never moved me to tears, I have never been the type of girl to daydream about my own wedding or being a bride. Throughout my childhood I saw many marriages around me fail including that of my parents so I never really thought it was worth the money or effort, plus I always thought that buying a house was a bigger commitment anyway.

However I have found myself slowly softening to the idea of marriage and all of a sudden it doesn't seem that terrible. Maybe it comes from being a family now, the fact that we have already made the commitment to buy a house and raise children together, or maybe it's just the fact that we have found the right person. Who knows! However we both agree that we probably will get married, but we'll do it in our own way, I'll keep my surname & the day will be small, inexpensive, informal, relaxed, fun......with NO organised photography session! (I have softened on the marriage subject so much that I now even have a pinterest board devoted to wedding ideas now!) 

Why all this talk of marriage & weddings all of a sudden?! Well on Thursday we attended the wedding of two of our closest friends, Peter & Laura, a couple who like us didn't do things in the conventional order! First came baby, then came a house, then 6 years later another baby.....then a year after that marriage. They have been together for 11 years and they really are made for each other. Don't get me wrong they have had their ups & downs like all of us, but they didn't give up and worked hard at their relationship, and it really was worth it. I think both Ken & I were surprised by how emotional the day was for us. It really felt like they were making their family complete and It really did feel like a celebration of their relationship & everything they have achieved together. It was totally 'them' and it was a really beautiful day full of friends, family and lots of laughter! We were so happy to share the day with them, especially as we had the honour of being their marriage witnesses. 

It was a great day all round, the bride looked beautiful, The groom was dressed up (very out of character! hahaha!)  their daughter Abigail was a beautiful flower girl & baby Samuel made a very cute page boy, and the rest of us didn't scrub up too badly either. The wedding ceremony was held at The National Trust owned Tredegar House in caerphilly. It was a beautiful setting & the weather held out long enough for the photos to be taken, which was a blessing as once the rain started it didn't stop all day! The 'after' party was held in the old stable buildings on the grounds so we could relax & enjoy a party without disrupting the daily runnings & visitors to the main house. It was a long day as the ceremony starting at 10am, but it was worth it as Henry was so worn out by partying all day & late in to the night that he slept in until 10.15am the next day! 

Here are a few* pictures from our day......


* A LOT!