After scoffing half a tin of beans with a piece of toast we got him changed in to his pyjamas, did his teeth and he blew kisses to all before yawning and heading for bed.
Hoping for a settled night, we headed upstairs ourselves a few hours later, anticipating an early rise with the mini rock star. Suddenly my mobile rang and I picked it up wondering why Ellie would be calling me as we were the ones holding the baby!
"Mum, the car's locked in the car park."
I knew immediately that this was partly my fault, having suggested the multistory car park in Elgin as a good secure parking solution, while Ellie and Conor were out for a meal, followed by Star Wars, The Force Awakened, in 3D. I knew also that the only solution, other than book in to The Mansion house for the night and turn their knickers inside out, was for me to get in the car and pick them up taking Conor back up the next morning to free his trapped vehicle.
Quick change and off in to the wild wet night I headed to rescue my eldest child and her husband from the perils of Elgin , leaving my dear sweet grandchild and the rest of my family fast asleep in their beds.
It was while I was passing the Cullen bay hotel that I thought about Mike and Jill, my number one Wedding Crasher couple and their wonderful day back in January. From then on the journey went in a whirl as I mentally went through all my weddings and thought of how much love and effort had gone in to each one.
Yesterday was wedding no.40 for me this year and my final one to add to my blog, so in many ways it was a time of huge relief as I have actually finished my challenge ( unlike the Banff bay swim!) and can rest back on my laurels having made many friends, had over 30,000 blogs views and 486 Wedding Crasher FB page likes....Well done everyone, a real team effort.
Yesterday was Susan and Barry's turn to tie the knot and had chosen their local Church of Scotland Church in Cornhill for the ceremony. It was windy and grey but thankfully dry as we parked opposite the church and I was glad I had picked up a fab plush velvet Christmassy number in a visit to the Red Cross a month or so before, combined with my woolen coat, I was snug as a bug in a rug.
The Church was looking lovely, all the window sills decorated in beautifulwinter foliage with tiny little felt owls and deer peeking through. We were warmly welcomed by Barry and his posse of kilted buddies bravely standing at the open door and exposing their knees to the January elements.
We enjoyed the organ playing as the guests came in from the cold and were seated in the beautiful wooden pews. Eventually the Bridal march played out and the 3 bridesmaids came in wearing full length plum chiffon with white fur stoles covering the delicate lace bodices.
Barry was waiting at the door for Susan and walked her down the aisle, meeting Robin at the front. Susan was wearing a beautiful cream sating gown with an antique lace fitted top with three quarter length sleeves. Her hair was delicately pinned up and held with tiny diamonte flowers that matched her grosgrain ribbon belt.
We sang hymns together and listened as Robin spoke of God's workmanship in each of us asking His blessing over this couple on their special day and in the days to follow.
After a handfasting ceremony the new Mr and Mrs Watson led their guests out in to the brisk air and headed off for some photos at home with Buddy the dog.
We headed home too and caught up with the kids, taking Conor up on his offer of a lift to the Springs ( Well, he did owe me one!)so we could enjoy a glass of bubbly with everyone else.
It seemed ages since we'd walked through the doors and I was amazed by the Christmas wonderland it had become.
Even better was seeing Gemma and Jocelyn behind the reception desk and we had a quick catch up hearing about everyone's Christmas before bagging the prime seats next to the feature 'fire in teh wall' , where we warmed ourselves while sipping a glass of wine.
Susan and Barry had decided against a line up or a top table, or name cards, so it was with great trepidation that we entered the dining room and tried to guess where we were to sit. Thankfully one of the bridesmaids told us we were at table 2 which it turned out was with the bride and groom and their parents.
The favours were little bags that were were kindly invited to fill with sweeties from the sweetie table ...
The speeches went well, with Alistair, Barry's brother telling us of Buddy the dog's mistrust of Susan when they first met, refusing to get out of her side of the bed when she went to the bathroom in the middle of the night and then peeing on her clothes the next day. Thankfully nine years later things have improved slightly, but he still loves Barry more than anyone in the world.
In a lightening move, Barry and Susan ran up to cut their cake which had been made by a friend and looked totally beautiful with holly and ivy trailing from the top layer with icing pine cones and berries.
Our meal was delicious, in great company. Obviously Susan and Barry's families all get on really well together as the atmosphere was so relaxed and Susan's Mum told us that she was in her element with all their family and friends in the one place.
Over the year, having written now about so many weddings, I can honestly say that friendship and love of friends and family are a most important aspect of any wedding. So special to hear the stories in the speeches of long lasting friendships and deep love of parents for their children, nothing beats that.
We retired after a slice of cake and a cup of tea , to the foyer and caught up with Wayne and Nicola my number 10 blog couple who had been at the whole day and it was lovely hearing all their news and seeing how happy they both were.
The evening guests arrived and we waited for 'The Limit' to set up and get the party started. Soon the bridal party gathered under Jillian's careful direction and the Grand March was underway...
We decided to back out gracefully, as Robin had to be up early in the morning to officiate at a funeral and found Barry and Susan up dancing with their guests. We said a fond farewell and wished them much love for the years ahead, thanking them for allowing us to be a part of their special day.
So as we backed away from the dancing, the fairy lights, the love and the warmth and headed out in to the night to get our taxi, I felt a little sadness knowing that this was the end of my blog, because let's face it folks there's only so many ways to describe a magnificent white dress and I know as you should by now that every bride is totally beautiful because of the love that shines from her face and radiates around the room to her husband to be and all the loved ones attending.
Well that's it folks. Thanks so much for everyone who has liked, viewed, commented, corrected, laughed and learned along the year with me....so it's goodnight from me and it's goodnight from the 'definitely not a humanist minister' bloke who always seems to crash these weddings with me.....Goodnight x
