As promised, my review of English weddings.
First of all, this was swanky and small. Molto small - I'm thinking: 50 guests?
Swanky in its venue - the lovely Shrigley Hall near Manchester. It's not a baronial manse as I had envisioned - it's the estate built by new money *blech! p-tooey!* of some sort of industrialist or other. Maybe a mill owner. And a child labor exploiter.
Regardless - it's gorgeous and a terrific spot for weddings as your floral bill will be next to nothing!
I learned that "Buck's Fizz' is the beverage of choice following the ceremony. It was given to guests as we departed the ceremony into the courtyard. Said courtyard was endearingly laid with flagstones. (But if those flagstones wreck your $150 Anne Klein heels, it's hideous.)
"Buck's Fizz" is a mimosa. I told everyone that they should start calling them mimosas, because it is prettier than saying "Buck's Fizz". Really. The person who came up with "Buck's Fizz" should have been sacked.
The dinner was delicious. Amazing how good food can contribute to the atmosphere. I think it should be broadcast on CNN - since having tasty food at a wedding is obviously a revolutionary idea.
Then we have the speeches. Forget soggy, maudlin oratories: the naughtier the better as far as British wedding speeches are concerned! Think : Four Weddings and A Funeral.
And happily, tradition has it that only the gentlemen speak. Praise Jesus, is all I have to say.
So - long story short: Canadian weddings fall short (I'm tempted to say "suck") and British weddings excel (meaning, if you're less-evolved: they RAWK.)
