September 9th - Santa Margherita and the Wedding

Well today was the big day, the wedding!!!!

As the wedding did not start until 4pm, the morning was a quite relaxed affair. I had a lush croissant for breakfast, filled with apricot jam and a caffe latte. Then I just had a walk around the bay. I met up with a couple of people and just chilled out relaxing and soaking up the scenery.

Then about 2pm, I went back to my room and got changed ready for the wedding. The wedding was being held in a lovely place called Villa Durazzo, which was located high above the bay. People started to arrive at the Villa just after 3pm. The wedding was set-up outside the Villa with a lovely well and beautiful surroundings, it was also very picturesque. However, this is when the weather decided to change drastically. After a lovely sunny morning the clouds came over and a huge thunder storm could be heard in the distance, and it was coming our way!!!!

There was no rain yet, but the wedding was moved inside the Villa. However, the inside of the Villa was equally as stunning as the outside. Eventually, the bride arrived and the ceremony got underway. The bride (Lilith) looked stunning in her dress. The ceremony was carried out by the local mayor and was spoken in Italian and translated. One of Lilith's good friends sang 'Somewhere over the rainbow', which was very good, it was a bit surreal considering the thunder storm outside, which people laughed about at the end. Then the rings were exchanged and vows read. In Italy the proceedings were slightly different, in that the mayor reads out 'rules' that must be obeyed during the marriage, each of these rules is given a number. Rule 144, I think (don't worry he only read a few out) was regarding domestic jobs and house cleaning. At this point everybody just laughed.

Once the ceremony was concluded, everybody went outside and the photo's were taken. At this point there was no rain, the thunder storm was getting closer though. We just about had enough time to take the photo's and then we proceeded into another lovely building for drinks and the anti-pasta course. Lilith had warned everybody the night before not to eat any lunch as there was about ten courses!!

Now at this point the rain finally arrived, and boy did it rain. It was a torrential downpour, with the loudest thunder I had ever heard. However, everybody was inside sipping champagne, and getting merry. Eventually everybody proceeded into the main room for the meal and the speeches of course. Andy (Groom), father of bride and the best man. All the speeches were very good and funny, and the best man had some good stories to tell.

Then we moved onto the meal which was very nice. Then, as the rain had stopped, we went outside to cut the cake, in the lovely gardens overlooking the bay, which at this point was covered in darkness. We had 'love heart' shaped sparklers and more food and champagne, it was lovely.

Then to round off the evening it was time to go back inside for a bit of dancing and more drink and more food, everybody was stuffed. Eventually, everybody said there goodbye's and went back to their various hotels. It was a great wedding and a fantastic occasion and a lovely setting.

Thanks Andy and Lilith for inviting me, it was a wonderful day. I hope you both have a fantastic life together.