43 years ago

43 years ago on the 3rd of October Steve and I were married. I posted this image on my Instagram last week and it had the biggest response ever so I thought I'd dedicate this week's post to our happiest of days. 

We were married at the Registry Office on St Mary's followed by our wedding reception on Tresco - a half hour boat ride away by open boat.

The boatman of the day was David Stedeford, kingpin of Bryher Boats in those days. He told us that had it not been for the fact of our wedding that they would have cancelled the boattrip as the weather was so rough. This fact was wasted on me as I spent the entire day floating along on cloud nine! 

Steve and I sat under cover with my mother-in-law Kate and sister-in-law Gill with her children, Steven, Kate and babe in arms Gem. I recall that the sun was shining despite the atrocious state of the sea which I viewed as if I were somehow removed from it all. Seemingly it was a hellish trip. My best friend Marjory hung her head over the side of the boat for the entire journey puking her guts up as the waves crashed over her head - poor Marj!

We arrived at Old Grimsby and were met by the pony and trap, the traditional mode of transport for weddings at that time. 

Our wedding reception was at the Island Hotel which was also my place of work. I was a scatty chambermaid in those days. Our photographer was John Davidson a friend and fellow employee from work. 

Steve's fellow gig rowers were waiting for us at the hotel creating an archway with the gig paddles for us to pass under for good luck. Steve had rowed Stroke in the Czar for many years before I turned up on Tresco and he carried on with that for many more after we were married.

No blog post of mine would be complete without reference to my outfit... The wedding gown came from Pronuptia in Truro and was made of the finest Itailian tulle. It cost me £220 which in those days seemed outrageous. The lace was cream in colour and was beautifully weighty. The lace collar however wouldn't stand up as I had hoped despite much pinning and spraying the night before, however once on, I forgot all of that and felt like a princess for the day!

Marjorie has dried off by this time. I don't think she ever forgot that terrible bumpy boat ride where she thought she might die.

The last posed photo of the day. All too soon it was time for us to head off to the airport on our way to Tenerife for our honeymoon.

And this is my favourite photo of the day. The deed was done, the wedding breakfast and speeches over and at last we were able to relax. I was so relieved! In fact, I pretty much look like the cat who got the cream, which I was. Steve was Tresco's most eligible bachelor when I arrived on Tresco in 1978 and some three years later we were married. One or two of the local girls were not impressed that I'd swooped in and scooped him up, but hey, I fancy he had some say in the matter too. 

I do hope you've enjoyed this trip down memory lane with me. Steve and I have been together for 46 years now, married for 43 and can highly recommend it!

                                                                        Anna x

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an island wedding, featured, happy memories, our wedding day, we got married