A different point of view

My son got married last year. I asked him and his new bride if they would tell their story, the thing is, what more was there to say apart from ‘we had a truly amazing day’, ‘the sun shone, everything was perfect’... So, I’ve decided to tell it my way. Words by Sarah Jane Holt

I’ve never been married. I probably value my independence far too much – and I do lead a great life! Luckily though my first serious, yet brief, relationship resulted in two amazing children, Lucie Marie and Léon. As they grew into adults, we socialised together, went on holiday together, and have always lived within ten minutes of each other, so it had to be a very special person to become part of our family trinity. After nearly 30 years of never having a serious girlfriend Léon met Robyn, proposed, and the next thing I knew I was part of the wedding plans.

Easyyoumayhavethought.Butno,theywanted to incorporate certain traditional elements into the wedding whilst bringing in their love of Marvel and DC characters. The gorgeous dress and groomsmen outfits were quickly sorted – with a lot of the ‘fun’ stuff left to me. I took my lead from the Gotham CityblackandwhiteinvitesthatLéondesignedand a cake they were having created with the Gotham City skyline and Harley Quinn and Deadpool cupcakes.

I had many ideas; first for a comic at every place setting for guests to follow Léon and Robyn’s journey to matrimony, and then for a load of superhero-related extras and artwork, but it was Lucie Marie who brought those ideas to life – we’re a formidable team!

The four-page comic told stories about the couple, how they met, the proposal, stag and hen parties, plus their favourite things. We also created the seating plan, welcome boards, fun question cards and party favour bags. We were still gluing and tying the morning of the wedding but it all came together perfectly.

Each table was marked with a Funko Pop superhero figurine (Léon and Robyn collect these) but we soon realised that with the figures being quite small they could be lost on the tables, so we turned out the kitchen cupboard, took labels off tins and gave each figure its own silver plinth – I stillhavelabel-lesstinsthatIhavenoideawhatthey contain… one day…

Robyn isn’t a fan of flowers, even silk ones. When I asked her what she did like, the answer was ‘chocolate’. Problem solved: Deliciously decorative chocolate trees and bouquets were ordered (including Robyn’s favourite Ferrero Rocher which had to be recovered in silver paper to fit the colour theme).Andhowtomakebouquets?Robyn’smum Natalie had the answer: She created really unusual bouquets for Robyn and the bridesmaids by sourcing Harley Quinn and Deadpool comics and crafting them into globe bouquets – really unusual and simply stunning.

‘You had to be there’ moment: Léon starting off his speech paying homage to Peter Cook’s‘ImpressiveClergyman’characterinPrincess Bride by simply stating very loudly, “Mawwiage” –if you’ve not seen the film (which it appeared half the guests hadn’t) go out and get a copy.

‘I was a mess’ moment: The music Léon chose (and edited) for Robyn’s entrance. As a lover of epic films, Léon’s track from two little-known composers (whose work is often found on film backing tracks) combined a cinematic orchestra sound with soulful, haunting vocals. The track, Victory is by Two Steps from Hell (yes, I know, unfortunate name, but take a listen). Even the registrar commented on how she had seldom heard such powerful and moving music. The thing is, Léon had played his edited track to me months before the wedding, and I kept listening to it to try and stop crying each time I heard it – and of course I failed.

Proudest moment: Seeing my boy so happy that when he got the shakes so badly he couldn’t put the ring on Robyn’s finger and couldn’t hold the pen to sign the register (it took quite a while!), he just laughed it off.

‘Stand back and take it all in’ moment: I was sat at the top table; who’d have thought it? It brought a lump to my throat to realise how perfectly matched Léon and Robyn are – their quirky eccentricities creating the ideal couple. I had to grab a drink quick and smile before anyone noticed that yes, SJ is off again!

Reality check moment:

Lucie Marie saying to me, “Look at Léon, all ‘married and stuff’, he’s a real grown-up”.

AndfinallyLéonandRobyn,toyoubothallIhave tosayisinthewordsofthe‘ImpressiveClergyman’, “wuv, twue wuv, will fowwow you foweva… ” 