Wedding Season, Baby Playdate and Dissertation Writing!

The first of my 2024 cousin's wedding and one of my childhood best friends got married within a week of each other. I also did lots of dissertation writing and had a playdate. 

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I have 7 weddings this year, and the third wedding of the year was one of my cousins. Technically my 2nd cousin, but we grew up quite close and don't need the extra separation. It was a chilly day but the rain at least stayed away. It was more of a relaxed, boho themed wedding and very retro, with lots of record decorating the venue and linked to the table seating plan, menu and table numbers. It was lovely and there were lots of tears. I wish I took more pictures before I cried and ruined my makeup. 

They had not one, not two but three different live bands. The first was my favourite and a family friend who we know relatively well, with a county acoustic theme. The second was more old school and the bride and groom had their first dance. The last one was not my favourite. I think by that point, I was shattered and over it, as well as still feeling quite poorly. They were an incredibly loud huge band - maybe 7 members if not more. It was also more dancing music, which isn't my favourite. 

The next day, I headed back to Nottingham after watching the Wimbledon finals, ready for work the next day and then a few days of dissertation writing. To break it up, I was asked if I could watch my nephew for a few hours, which of course I said yes to and I loved every single second. He's my happy place and brings me so much joy, albeit I was very tired afterwards. 

The next day was one of my childhood best friend's wedding. It was an unusual experience for me, given we were pre-told there was going to be no food, and just a dessert bar at the reception. I set off bright and early for a 3 hour drive towards Durham and then called at Pizza Hut on the way for a very speedy lunch 10 minutes from the venue. From there, we headed to the church for a relatively quick non-religious ceremony, with a couple of special family speeches included. 

The weather was glorious and very hot, so we all went outside for pictures with all the guests, as well as family pictures and individual pictures which we all just chilled and chatted as there were no canapés or drinks, but it was actually quite nice. Then, as they were finishing with bride and groom pictures, we headed inside for the reception. 

The venue had been decorated incredibly. There was a beautiful top piece, lots of flower arches and I was so impressed with the two wedding favours. They had hand stamped cookies which were delicious and then individual names on the table with laser cut wood and it was so lovely. I defintely will be keeping mine and putting it to use! I also loved their little guest book, where the bridal party took polaroid photos of everyone and then each person could write an individual message inside.

The reception was short and sweet, which was odd to me, but I actually really liked it because I often get really overwhelmed after so many hours of socialisation so this is probably more my type of reception. They did speeches, we went for dessert table by table and then we just chatted and socialised. The bride and groom cut the cake, but there was no dancing. By 6pm (the ceremony started at 2pm), a lot of guests had left and the bridal party started to pack up the room and stack chairs and tables. By 6.30pm everyone was leaving so I started to make my own way home too. 

The next day, was the big proof read day. I woke up and had a picnic, because it was another beautiful day and then my cousin had asked me to dog sit so I headed over to her house and spent the afternoon sat outside in the sunshine, with her dog, proof reading complete draft number 3. They arrived back just as I started on Chapter 5 but nevertheless it was productive. After an hour or so playing, we ordered a takeaway - their treat - and then I headed home before work the next day.