Excited to be involved in planning my daughter’s forthcoming wedding, I offered, in a moment of madness, to do a reading for their wedding ceremony.
Instantly regretting my hasty decision, but not wanting to let the happy couple down, I began a frantic search of the internet, looking for something appropriate.
When I say forthcoming wedding, it was in fact over a year away.
Surely, I would have time to think of some special words for the wedding ceremony that would delight them - make their day special.
Everyone loves a wedding ceremony reading about love, so maybe a romantic piece from one of my favourite books would suffice?
Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’ came to mind. The part where Gabriel Oak looks lovingly into the eyes of Bathsheba Everdene saying:
“Whenever you look up, there I shall be, and whenever I look up there will be you."
Beautiful words indeed, but were they the right ones?
My daughter’s requests rang in my ears: “Nothing too mushy Mother…You know we’re not like that.”
Ok. Not mushy. Got it. So, it was time to do a search for funny wedding ceremony readings for some inspiration.
I found a funny poem, ‘Things I learned about love from my dog.’
Well, my daughter and fiancé do have a dog, but I had to concede, the mention of pooches may not appeal to other wedding guests, particularly those who don’t appreciate, sloppy, wet canine kisses, as described in that poem. Lovely as it was, it did not have the right words.
Race forward to two months before the wedding. (Where did that year go?).
My Mother of the Bride dress was hanging in the wardrobe, along with my matching shoes and bag, all ready for the big day at the stunning venue of Cleatham Hall, but still no wedding poem in sight. There was just nothing personal, no meaningful words out there.
A text message from my daughter: “Mum, can you please send a copy of your wedding poem to the Registrar. She needs to check it is suitable.”
“Of course,” I lied. “Just putting the finishing touches.”
Panic! I tossed and turned that night, and then it happened…
I glanced at Alexa’s clock - 3am. I have no idea where it came from. Luckily, I had the sense to tap the phrase that came into my head, into the notes on my phone, knowing that, like in a dream, the right words may be lost for ever by morning.
The following day, the rest of the words came quickly, effortlessly, almost faster than I could type them into my Macbook.
So, for my daughter and son-in-law – renowned for not being gardeners - I proudly read their unique wedding ceremony poem with love, on their wedding day.
The phrase that started my adventure into poetry, taking its rightful place at the end of their poem:
“Now you are rooted in each other’s heart.”
And so ‘The Write Words’ came to be.
If you would like me to craft words to celebrate or remember a special occasion or person,
I look forward to hearing from you. x Alice x
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