Surprise Ruby Wedding Celebration

The Ruby Wedding surprise party happened! There was some doubt earlier in the week as to whether it would actually go ahead with Annabel being rushed to hospital and the baby arriving prematurely. Having spent Friday afternoon making potato salad for 50 guests, I never want to peel or see another spud again for quite some time! On Saturday we were all soon hard at it preparing salads while Ollie attended to the meat and fish. There was such a spread that it was hard to make space on the tables set out in the marquee which had been erected in my neice's garden. Once the drinks table had been set out there was time for me to rush home to feed the dogs and get changed before returning to serve sparkling wine to the guests as they arrived. It was strange seeing faces I really did not recognise after the passing of a great many years although I did recognise Mary who along with myself was one of the bridesmaids although we had not met since the wedding, it was also great that Brian's best man was present. Many of the guests had travelled some distance and stayed overnight in various hotels / travel lodges locally. Brian and Sue arrived ostensibly for a family photographic session, to say that they were surprised when the curtains were drawn back to reveal a marquee full of guests was an understatement, it is rare that I have seen my brother shell shocked and totally lost for words!