Just a Family Affair (53 page)

 

My own wedding was short but sweet. I didn’t even want to go there with a seating plan. I had major generals at one end of the social scale and art school drop-outs at the other, a potentially explosive mix. We held the ceremony in the church round the corner from my parents’, followed by Pimm’s and canapés in their garden. A friend of ours who is a whizz with a camera wandered round taking pictures, and we left at five in our vintage A35, when everyone was feeling nicely mellow. Job done. It helped, of course, that it was a glorious hot day - there is nothing more pleasurable than getting quietly sozzled in an English country garden - but people even twenty years later say that it was the best wedding they have ever been to.

 

It’s not about penny-pinching and scrimping. It’s about spending money on the things that are important, and not bothering with the things that aren’t. What matters is getting the people who are important to you together, for them to enjoy your union, and then buggering off before drunken oblivion or total boredom set in. What doesn’t matter is a phalanx of overdressed bridesmaids, wedding favours for the guests and an official master of ceremonies in full regalia. Fine if that’s what you’ve set your heart on, but there is no need to feel pressurised into all the bells and whistles.

 

So with the help of the Liddiards I have put together a guide to a short but sweet and stylish wedding. And never be afraid to enlist the help of friends - amongst them will be keen cooks, photographers, florists, all eager to help. Their contribution would be a much more welcome present than a set of matching saucepans.

 

I recommend a two o’clock ceremony followed by tea and cocktails. All done and dusted by five so the bride and groom can escape and be alone together . . .

No one knows better than Mickey the importance of alcohol at a social function. Two or three of any of these concoctions will make sure your reception goes with a swing. But remember - have plenty of water and non-alcoholic alternatives available so the aged aunts don’t start a handbag war after one too many.

The most important thing is to keep the food plentiful and keep it coming so no one is necking back the cocktails on an empty stomach. Most people will have access to obliging teenagers eager to earn twenty quid - get a small team together and give them instructions to keep the food circulating so no one goes hungry.

 

Kick off with the traditional sandwiches - smoked salmon, cucumber and egg are popular - together with some savoury bites. Use a variety of white, wholemeal and granary bread. Follow with some substantial buttered tea bread, then finish with scones with cream and jam, biscuits and cakes. Here are a few of Lucy’s favourite recipes to inspire you.

When most people get married these days, they have usually lived together and built up a home, so they already have most of the things necessary for starting married life. And there is nothing duller and more prosaic than a department store wedding list, especially when you get to it late and there is only a gravy boat left. So with Mandy’s help here are a few suggestions for a more imaginative present list.

Not everyone has the time or the money for a romantic honeymoon in the Maldives or Tahiti. But a special first night with your bride is a must - every couple needs some time out together after all the frenetic planning, preferably in unashamed luxury. Here is a selection of hotels to suit all tastes.