Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+

A scene from Four Weddings and a Funeral?

June 15, 2011 by Helena Halme 3 Comments

We were invited to a wedding in Devon last Saturday. I knew the reception was going to be held in a marquee on the grounds of the family’s stunning farmhouse, so the outfit had to be suitable for a country wedding. Especially the shoes; I remember too well those times when at a BBQ or a school summer party I’d be the only (stupid) woman in kitten heels slowly sinking into the grass.

Leading up to the weekend the weather forecast got worse by the day. On Friday night the BBC news predicted heavy rain from the West – the beautiful county of Devon was completely blue on the weather map.

‘Let’s put our wellies in the car,’ said the (not normally at all) practical Englishman.

‘You can wear wellington boots to a wedding but I’d rather die,’ I thought but just nodded. I’ve learned it’s best to nod when the Englishman has a good (but mad) idea. I’d bought a lovely and surprisingly comfortable pair of Castaner espadrilles in a small shop in Covent Garden, which would go perfectly with an outfit I’d worn to Glyndebourne festival a few weeks before.

When we left London early Saturday morning the sun was shining, and it wasn’t until we pulled up to our hotel that the heavens opened. Perfect timing…

The rain beat down outside when our friends made their vows in the most crowded little country church I’ve ever seen, with the most eccentric and charming vicar I’ve ever met. He could have given Rowan Atkinson a run for his money.

‘I’m glad I’ve got our wellies in the car,’ said the Englishman and nudged me when we got out of the church and put up our umbrella. Driving up to the farm along a bumpy track, I saw that the Englishman might be right after all. There was water running along the ditches and the temporary car park was a mud bath. I gave in.

My Hunter (what else?) wellied wedding look
The marquee was huge.

I wasn’t the only one sporting wellies…

Group photo being taken from the window of the farm house.

Long tables in the marquee.

As if by a miracle, the rain stopped just as the photographs were being taken. There was even sunshine later on in the evening.

In spite of the bad weather to start off, this was one of the happiest weddings I’ve been to a for a long time. The food was excellent, the wine and champagne flowed, the local college big band performed to adoring guests who filled the dance floor to its absolute brim. There were Lords and Ladies and more eccentric Englishmen and Englishwomen than you could shake a hairy stick at. It was as if I’d been on the film set of Four Weddings…

You may also like:

Books Set in Scandinavia New Book Trials and Tribulations It’s Publication Day

Comments

  1. janet brown says

    June 16, 2011 at 5:49 am

    This is beautifully funny–I'm going on to read more (thanks for the "click the picture" prompt–

    Reply
  2. Helena Halme says

    June 16, 2011 at 6:48 am

    Thank you Janet!xx

    Reply
  3. Miss Cavendish says

    June 21, 2011 at 5:50 am

    You know, my favorite wedding look was when I wore wellies with my long argyle socks, silk dress, cashmere cardi, and wild tasseled scarf to the backyard tented reception on a damp, chilly night. (Proper heels for the church ceremony, though. . .)

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

Read an Exclusive First Chapter

NEW

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Buy Direct from the author

Follow me on Instagram

There’s nothing like meeting up with a good frie There’s nothing like meeting up with a good friend who also happens to be an amazing author! 
✍🏻🥰
Freddie @freddieppeters and I write in  different genres but we have so much in common. Our 3+ hour lunches are legendary.
🥂📚
Always prolific, Freddie has once again beat me to publishing her latest financial thriller, Book 2 in the Nancy Wu series, SON AND CRUSADER. I cannot wait to read it!
📘🕵️‍♀️
Do you have the holiday blues? Pick up a book and Do you have the holiday blues? Pick up a book and take yourself somewhere new. 
Reading is a vacation for the mind.📚❤️🚢🏝️😁📖
How to describe meeting a person who is so inspira How to describe meeting a person who is so inspirational that you are just in awe of their achievements, yet touched by their humility? ‘Joyful’ is probably the word. 
⭐️🤩🙌
It was an another epic @thebesagroup President’s Lunch @oxo_tower with the added bonus of our Canadian friends/colleagues from Mechanical Contractors Ontario attending. Meeting the brilliantly inspiring @officialayosokale whose speech was just exceptional was a definite highlight as was seeing old and new friends. I’m so grateful to be invited to this event every year!
🙏❤️💃🥂
September in Spain part two: figs straight from th September in Spain part two: figs straight from the tree, Pilates by the pool, great coffee, and fantastic views over the valley.
Load More Follow on Instagram

writing and publishing tips

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

Read Exclusive First Chapter

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in