I can’t believe I finally made it to the “real” Jersey, the Channel Island that Claire calls home. What a beautiful place the entire island looks like one supersized the old fashioned English village. I arrived a few days before the wedding giving to catch up with Claire and Justin before the big day. They were wonderful hosts showing all the wedding guests around the island. It was great just getting to hang out with Claire, something that we don’t get to do too often since we live so far apart.
The wedding itself was amazing – Claire looked stunning and Justin gorgeous in his kilt. I was honored to read a poem called Footprints during the ceremony and got quite a few comments on my Southern accent following the wedding. The reception took place under a marquee at Claire’s father’s home, Champs Clairs. We partied until the wee hours of the morning following a South African style bbq, in honor of Justin’s home country. I caught Claire’s bouquet – very exciting.
I had never been to an English wedding before so I got a first hand look at some unique traditions that you would not normally see at a wedding in NC. One, of course, was the ladies wearing hats to the wedding – something I had seen in the English movies (Four wedding and a Funeral – one of my favorites), but not something I had ever seen before in person. Traditionally the best man and the maid of honor will give short speeches at a US wedding, but here the father of the bride, the best man, and the groom all gave 5 to 10 minute speech that were very impressive.
Overall, what an incredible wedding and wonderful weekend. The 5 days I spent with Claire in Jersey were not nearly enough - I miss her already and am planning my next trip to see her. Claire and Justin – I wish you all the love and happiness in the world!
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