 Disastrous
start! After having only three hours sleep I woke up with
a temperature, cough and sore throat and wondered how
I was going to get through the day.
Thank goodness for my wonderful chief bridesmaid, Sara,
who was on hand. Kal was duly thrown out of the house
and went for a fry-up with my brother Paul (how can men
eat at a time like this?) before going to the hotel to
change. Meanwhile, my parents and the other bridesmaids,
Pauline and Tasnein, arrived followed shortly by the make-up
lady.
Chaos descended upon the house! Midday arrived and I felt
more unwell, in full flow of a panic attack and had not
got my dress on. At this point, Sara took charge. Two
paracetamol and a can of Red Bull later, she got me on
my feet and into my dress.
As I looked at myself in the mirror, a tiny miracle occurred,
I started feeling better, my nerves went and I did not
stop beaming for the rest of the day - thank God for Red
Bull! I came down the stairs to be greeted by my relieved-looking
parents and bridesmaids. My beautiful bouquet - a hand-tie
of lemon and cream gerberas, roses, tulips and carnations
- was handed to me and I really felt the part. All I needed
was my garter and the bride was ready.
 The car arrived at 1pm and took the bridesmaids
and then Dad and I to the church. As I stepped out into
glorious sunshine, I was met by a lovely sight, which
will be imprinted on my memory forever - outside the church,
bathed in sunshine, were the smiley, excited faces of
my bridesmaids and the ushers waiting to greet me. My
Mum was just thankful I'd got there.
I walked down the aisle to The
Prince of Denmark's March and stood next to my husband-to-be.
The bodice of my dress was deep blue and gold and I was
bursting to know what he thought of my departure from
tradition - a wink confirmed he approved!
The ceremony lasted nearly an hour but seemed to whizz
by. Father Michael is renowned for his warmth and friendliness
and afterwards everyone said what a personal and informal
service it was. I was afraid no one would sing the hymns
but the strains of Morning
Has Broken, I Watch the Sunrise and Our God Reigns
rang through the church. The readers read beautifully,
everyone sang their hearts out and the minor difficulty
I had putting the ring on Kal's finger brought a laugh
from the congregation. And then, we were man and wife.
The congregation was able to witness us signing the register
in the middle of the church to the tuneful lilt of an
Irish prayer sung by the choir. We left the church to
the strains of Toccata
and stepped out in the sunshine as Mr and Mrs Karim.
We enjoyed a pleasant half hour as everyone milled around
outside the church, offering their congratulations. After
some of the official photographs had been taken and the
first glass of champagne was drunk, we set off in the
car for our journey to Rothley Court Hotel for the reception.
The journey was special as it was our first time alone
as 'man and wife' and, as the hotel was a 30-minute drive
away, we were able to make the most of this new feeling.
We arrived at the reception in style and were greeted
by the Master of Ceremonies and more champagne! The hotel
itself was beautiful - a country house hotel set in picturesque
grounds with lawns, flowers and a meandering river. The
photographer was spoilt for choice. For two hours, every
possible permutation of family or friends was snapped
in a variety of locations. By the end, my smile was wearing
thin. Those not being photographed enjoyed sitting on
the veranda sipping punch and soaking up the sunshine
or wandering around the grounds renewing past friendships
and making new acquaintances.
Afternoon wore on into early evening and it was time for
the formal line-up and meal. I was proud to see how beautiful
the table decorations looked. Sara and I had spent hours
painting terracotta pots gold for church candle and floral
centrepieces - Blue Peter eat your heart out!
The food was surprisingly good (I always have doubts about
mass catering) and our guests appeared happy and relaxed.
Our wonderful cake decorated in vivid orange gerberas
was cut and more champagne flowed. Next came the speeches!
 My
father entertained us with amusing tales of his experience
of marriage and recounted how when Kal asked for my hand
in marriage he said he could have the rest of me as well!
Kal followed and gave a humorous, off-the-cuff speech
- not one for preparation is my husband. Departing from
tradition, even I stood up and spoke briefly to propose
a toast to our departed and much missed grandparents.
Finally came the pièce de resistance from David,
the best man. Having known Kal since he was small and
having been the butt of several mischievous pranks, there
were a few scores to settle. Witty stories of Kal's past
were retold, useless presents that Kal had bought (including
PVC red pants and a talking parrot) were produced and
total embarrassment was achieved when he recounted Kal's
pet names for us - Lizzy Wizzy and Tiny!
 With the daytime reception out of the way Sara
and I retreated to the honeymoon suite for rest and recuperation
and to figure out how I was going to hook up the back
of my dress so I could dance without falling over. A large
kilt pin did the trick. We sat by the windows for a restful
half hour, watching the men play an impromptu game of
cricket on the lawns as the sun set. This was inter-family
bonding at its best. The evening guests started to arrive,
the disco struck up and I descended the stairs to find
my husband and enjoy the evening reception. Our first
dance was to the theme from Beauty
and the Beast - an unusual, slightly tongue-in-cheek
choice but also quite appropriate as we were going to
Orlando for our honeymoon and we are two big kids at heart!
Besides, it is a love song of sorts. Our best man and
chief bridesmaid cruelly left us dancing alone until the
last verse before joining us on the floor!
Several 'slow dances' later, the disco got going with
songs from the Eighties (which my younger brother thought
were old fashioned!) and lots and lots of Abba! The evening
shot by, fuelled by several Red Bulls and vodka to stop
me from flagging. Before I knew it, we were dancing to
Dancing Queen for the final time then the last slow dances.
Farewells and goodbyes were said and I realised that my
day was over.
It had just flown by,but we had had a truly spectacular,
magical day. Totally exhausted but blissfully happy, we
went back to the honeymoon suite to find that our friends
had been industrious during the evening.
The bed was turned upside down, shaving foam messages
adorned the mirrors, balloons and confetti were strewn
everywhere and the final touch - personalised toilet paper
inscribed with 'Lizzy Wizzy' and 'Tiny'!
Do Differently: Panic less! It all came right in
the end.
Groom's Comments: Florida was great!
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