Friday
I started the day by wishing Kirsty a Happy Wedding Day and then she showed me her dress and there was a lot of tears which doesn't bode well!
We all got dressed and went down to the Jockey Club where we had been given the use of a seven bedroom town house to get ready. So much space and all so old with lovely paintings on the walls. We had tea and coffee left in the kitchen and Jane had brought pastries for breakfast.
Kirsty was very calm and as soon as we got there Rochelle started on her hair and Natalie did my makeup and I felt very pampered.
By the time I put my dress on and hat I felt like a million dollars.
The photographer arrived and started taking photos of us all getting ready and she was a very nice lady and made us very relaxed.
Sam laced up Kirsty's dress and then the big photo shoot started. I have never had so many photos taken but it was all lovely and I managed to control my tears.
We had photos taken outside by the statue of Hyperion a very famous Newmarket horse.
We then all had some champagne and the photographer went over to Waterbeach to take photos of James at home.
We had to put all our bags together and the staff took them all over to our rooms at the Jockey Club.
We walked round to the main entrance where the cars were waiting and Jon came round and he was quite emotional to see Kirsty and he looked so smart in his tails and had no need to worry that he would be too short!
We drove to the church and we went in and it all looked lovely, we were ten minutes late and the vicar was a bit annoyed but I thought all brides had to be late!
I will never forget seeing Jon and Kirsty walking down the aisle, he looked so proud and although no photographs were allowed in the church it will be in my mind forever. I then looked across at James and he had tears in his eyes, too. I managed to control myself and enjoyed the service. I did my reading and only had a wobble on the last word which was 'love'.
The rest of the day was just wonderful and everyone had an amazing time. The canapes when we got back to the Jockey Club were delicious as was the champagne and the photographer took photos and a young man, Will, sang on the terrace and the weather was lovely.
We had the line up which the very nice French head waiter had asked us to hurry along as the chef was coking scallops and was getting worried if we were late.
We took our places and the room looked beautiful, all white and navy with vases of peacock feathers on the tables. The photographer had already printed a photo and framed it and put it on the top table by the time we sat down! Kirsty and James loved the champagne flutes we had bought for them and had engraved with Mr and Mrs Kemp.
The meal was beautiful and everybody enjoyed it. The desserts were presented to the top table with dry ice which smoked all over them and it was very effective.
Them came the speeches and Jon did such a good one which amused everyone. The best man's was not as shaming as it could have been and James' dad also did a speech.
The rest of the evening went very well with lots of chatting with family and friends. Jon's sister, Christine, had brought a portable printer with her and printed off some photos which was so nice of her and lovely to have straight away.
I think I talked for England that night and my voice was hoarse. My friend Mary said I should take my hat off for the evening but I enjoyed wearing it so much I didn't want to!!
The evening guests arrived and we had more talking and some dancing. I think I managed to get to speak to most people but it was hard work remembering names.
Jon left to go to bed before me as he was really tired and I finally gave in about 12.30.
Our room at the Jockey Club was lovely although not the one we were supposed to have. James and Kirsty had requested the rooms they used to use for the honeymoon suites for his parents and us. His parents got theirs on the ground floor but we didn't. However, the room was still beautiful.
I didn't not take long to fall asleep!
WEATHER
Sunny 22 degrees.
Saturday
I was awake by 7.30 and enjoyed a hot shower in the very large bathroom.
We went down for breakfast to the Coffee Room and it was all set out very nicely. We met up with my sister, Malcolm and then Kirsty and James. James' family soon joined us and it was a very subdued but happy meal.
We then packed our bags and loaded the car with all the boxes and flowers to get back to Centre Drive.
Once unloaded the house looked like I had never tidied it but not to worry.
We spent the rest of the morning trying to put things away and then it was soon time to take my sister, Barbara, to Ely to get her train back to Southport. Due to races there was a lot of traffic but we had plenty of time so no problems. It was lovely too see my sister, just a shame it was so short a time.
We got home and then got ready to go to the races to see Steps. James had set up a gazebo and his family were already there with the M&S picnic and lots of wine and champagne.
Some went off to put bets on and I stayed in the gazebo for most of the time and in fact only saw about five horses the whole day! It started to thunder and we had an amazing storm and people were drenched and the ground under our gazebo became like a lake and we all had to sit with our feet up on the chairs. Lots of people left the races as they were so wet and muddy but eventually the rain did ease. I went across to the Food and Drink tent as I wanted to see a young lady who is a friend of my cousin's daughter and I have been in contact with her on Faceebook. She makes the most amazing cupcakes and so I wanted to say hello and buy some, they didn't disappoint!
Steps came on and I couldn't find any of the others so stayed with Mary and Roger. It was by now thundering again and I felt very uncomfortable being out in the open holding an umbrella in a thunderstorm so we went into the stand and watched on the big screens.
Once the concert ended I went home with Roger and Mary and the rest of the group went to Sam's for tea. Sam works in the racing industry and has a flat more or less on the racecourse which is very convenient.
Jon had felt very tired just after the first race and as he and Malcolm could see the weather closing in they had gone home in a taxi and he had had a sleep.
I got back and had a cup of tea and was glad to be in the dry.
We ordered an Indian takeaway and slowly through the evening we had some very tipsy daughter's and their men arrive back at the house.
Jane and Jason got a taxi back to Soham as Jane said the bed settee was too uncomfortable to sleep on.
I fell into bed and didn't take long to get to sleep after another very busy day.
WEATHER
Thunder and lightening, rain 19 degrees
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