A little taste of Guernsey, although not a cow in sight!

How do you feel when you marry your ideal?

Ever so goosey, goosey, goosey, goosey.

English Song, 1929

(one of the quotations on the wedding tables, bride and groom are both language graduates so the whole event was peppered with literary touches and references)

{Click to embiggen if you'd like a closer look}

1. Early morning caffè latte and spiced chai latte at the airport - the bride, the groom and their happy bridesmaid... Labels by the groom: Falla - bride's maiden name, an ancient Guernsey surname - first recorded on the island in the early 15th century and hers for nearly 30 years, but not for much longer at this point; Nugget - short for the Golden Nugget, which both affectionately call me - it's a long story; and the happiest Condemned Man I've ever seen!

2. Clouds from above, plane propellers and sunshine flare - probably one of my favourite views in the world - fun and adventure beckon...

3. Approaching Jersey - a brief touchdown en route to Guernsey.

4. Almost there...

5. View from the wedding reception venue - yes, it is the British Isles, really!

6. Postboxes - just like those on the mainland, but blue.

7. Checking out the church - favourite wildflowers growing out of walls, so pretty and summery.

8. Beautiful churchyard - bride's family christenings, weddings and funerals stretch back five generations in this place. The cloth on the registry table has the embroidered signatures of four previous Falla brides (including her mothere and grandmother) right where A's hand rested to sign her own marriage certificate - very special.

9. A quiet bay for a happy day and a moment for calm contemplation of things to come.

10. Abstract beach beauty - my heart is full.

11. Dinner outdoors with friends and family, warm sea air, lovely conversation, delicious seafood = perfection!

12. The sunset view from our dinner table...

13. Heading to Herm - the bridal party and close family went over for the post rehearsal dinner.

14. St Peter's Port from the sea - so beautiful.

15. Castle Cornet - didn't manage to see inside but enjoyed the Antony Gormley figures... No pics of my own that day but please enjoy these...

16. Floral displays for the church taking shape under the guidance of A's sweet mother. How gorgeous are these delphiniums?

17. At the hairdresser - champagne and laughter to start the day - so lovely!

18. A perfect occasion for celebration - the sun shone brightly (thank you for all your happy sunshine wishes!) and the bride and groom shone even more brightly than the sun!

19. The morning after - a lingering scent of lavender and freesias...

20. A quiet wander around the harbour, Sunday brunch with the wedding party, lovely memories shared and starting to settle into the happy places of our minds. It was raining as they flew out but beautiful Sri Lanka and the Maldives call them for their honeymoon...

Picture of the bride and groom courtesy of LK, all others mine. It felt very weird not to be carrying my camera on the day of the wedding, and spending so much time in front of one was fairly uncomfortable for me, but I promise to share some of those too as they become available via other sources. I took relatively few photographs as it was a very busy few days leading up to the event but there are more, some of which will no doubt appear over the next little while as I sort through them.

But for now, I have a cup of tea in hand and am planning some catching up with all my favourite people and places in Bloglandia... I've missed you all!

Happy Monday! ♥