The pictures referred to in the following vary in size between 34 and 88 KB in size, averaging 66.
Getting married in England in December is not a good idea if you're at all worried about the weather. Luckily for us, Saturday 14th December 1996 was the one nice day in an otherwise miserable week - cold enough for the puddles to have frozen, but the bright sun warmed you once you were out of the wind.
Stowe, a stately home to the north west of Buckingham, used to be the country seat of the Dukes of Buckingham (in this, they were unusual among the British aristocracy, since most seem to have their family seats in entirely the wrong county). Since this was the family that named a London residence Buckingham Palace, it is an understandably grand building. It is build along the crest of a ridge, which allows it to look out over vistas in both directions.
Here is the rear of the building, Alan's nephew Charles riding one of the lions, and the view from those rear steps. You may just be able to see an arch in the distance, the other side of the valley. As a contrast, there is the view from the front. (BTW: although Stowe is now a school, those are guests, not pupils.)
The wedding itself took place in the Music Room, an ornately decorated room that is now much used for smaller weddings. Here the assembled guests awaited the excited couple who were soon played to their places by a string quarter. The ceremony itself was a deliberately brief civil affair, and once the register had been signed, and everyone had photographed it too, we turned and left, seemingly walking on air.
One advantage to being the wedded couple is that you're the first to get to the drinks, which were being served in the Marble Hall next door. Being December, we'd chosen to have mulled wine served rather than the more traditional sparkling wine. The pillars in this room are red Buckingham marble, and the roof is a disturbingly oval dome - disturbing in that your eyes try to tell your brain that it's circular when it isn't.
Next, the couple trouped outside for some photographs in the sunshine. You'll notice the two pairs of matching rings here - how sad.
After this, the infamous expanding group photograph was taken. Firstly the couple, then with our witnesses (does it say something that Colette's witness Liz wouldn't pose in this one? Ah, these Scots can't take the cold). Then immediate family members, followed by their families, and finally (after a little bit of chivvying), all those who could be persuaded outside in the December sunshine.
After this, it was definitely time to move back inside again. By now, the Music Room had been cleared and it was time for the finger buffet. Firstly we needed to cut the cake.
Many of the guests were friends from alt.fan.pratchett, and this group had to include Terry himself - after all, if it hadn't been for him, we'd never have met. Our surprise when Bryan actually arrived only some two hours late can be seen in this group - thanks for the clock, by the way.
Colette's family, Alan's mother instructing him (Mum, I know what I'm doing), and Alan's sister Isobel's family (this is the only picture with Phil in, since he was behind the camera for the rest), with daughter Purdey trying to make friends with a flower stand.
And finally, some miscellaneous pictures.
