Cream tea wedding

May is a busy month for wedding photographers! Had a lovely English village traditional wedding last week, and today a cream tea afternoon meal. I love sharing in the couple's day and celebrating with their family and friends.

English weddings are different than American ones. By English I mean not Ireland, Scotland or Wales. :) Southern England in particular is like a movie! There's no separation of church and state here- Church of England (C of E for short) is the official religion. That means the church had a government sanctioned and funded role. There are set agreed Sundays when communion must be offered, people must get married in the church in whose parish (=geographical are) they live. Couples can't just pick a pretty church. There is a standard order of service, including readings. I like it actually. It's more like a service and less like a production. Bridesmaids and groomsmen don't stand at tge front. The bride and groom don't stand on a podium. It isn't like a show or performance. Here's what it looks like:

-Guests all stand
-Bride is escorted in with bridesmaids behind her
-Bridesmaids sit down
-Bride, father and groom stay standing and face the altar (away from guests)
-Vicar asks if there's any lawful reason they can't marry
-Vicar talks about purpose of marriage and what it is
-Father gives bride away (usually veils not involved)
-"Will you take this man/woman to be your husband/wife?" Answer is "I will"
-Couple sits down on the right as members of congregation
-Readings
-Couple stand again
-Giving of rings, while saying standard vows " I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. With my body I honor you. All that I have I share with you." Sometimes adding "for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, so long as we both shall live."
- Vicar holds their hands and wraps the enormous long thin fabric he wears around his neck around the hands, saying "what God has joined let no man separate"
-Kiss
-Signing of the register, the legal record book each church keeps couple's details in. There's no marriage license. Witnesses sign too.
-Couple are announced and walk out straight outside. As they go out the church bells start ringing and ring for at least 15 min.
-Guests follow the couple out and all congratulate them (like a receiving line)
-photos then couple leave for reception




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