Sarah & Gareth's weddinG

Nutters by Day

The first few people arrive at Nutters, apparently experiencing mild disarray, with no-one really sure what to do next, after the co-ordinated euphoria of the church service.  A suitable metaphor for marriage, perhaps...

Not even the bridesmaids want to get involved, who have the shifty look perfected.

The incessant photography was all too much for Sarah...

...but she soon brightened up after a few of Gareth's pre-prepared gags.

This is where (I think) I take back control of the camera and straight away go for the in-your-face approach.  Cheers, Avis!

Oh, and just to recap, we're at Nutters, a family-owned restaurant in Rochdale.  See this website for more details.  And here it is in all its splendour, an 18th century manor house, set in 6 and a half acres of groomed parkland with spectacular views across Ashworth moors, Greater Manchester and beyond (it says here).

We were at the, er, Joseph Perrier Suite.

More will appear here soon.

Yeah, that was somewhat of a lie.  But I'm back, only three years later!  (It said last updated December 2007 on the title page - how has time gone so quickly?)  We'll start with a dressed-up cute kid looking distressed - it's as good a place as any.  I've no idea who (or whose) he is.  He could be the best man('s) for all I know.  (He isn't.)

Louise can't help but mess with Paul's suit, which he treats with an impassive face.  But the irritation lies just under the surface.

There are some shenanigans spotted in a nearby field.  Wait, is that the bride?  What is going on?

Some bridesmaid action.  Er, in the photography sense, of course.

A proud Peter with his Schofield girls, Louise and Lynne.

Lynne attempts to read Louise's mind.  "I know what you're thinking... you want to drink lots of champagne...".

A young girl goes tumbling down the hill.  Not sure why.  It does look ruddy good fun, though.

The bride is back from taking photos and effortlessly beaming to camera, bookended by those ubiquitous Schofield girls.

Sniff, sniff.  Do I detect the luxurious odour of champagne?  Was it 2 bottles for £19.99 from Asda?

Avis shows off her Dynamic Shading Facilitator.

Louise tries to carry too many things, whilst trying to bat away an imaginary fly.

The reception room calm before the storm.

One of the tables.  Hmm, wonder if that is my pint over on the far side.

Oh no, more photos.  S'a nice day, so why not, I suppose.  "You boy, out of my shot!"

Not everyone likes having their photo taken.  Whilst they seem to be posing amicably here, Avis

They all look a bit guilty.  Not sure what's been going on here...

...or indeed here.  This wedding is crazy!

Right then, time to head indoors for the reception, and the most important area of the evening.  The bar.

Before long, we were settled at the tables for the speeches.  First up, the proud bride's father, who delivered an emotional number which some of the audience gently weeping.

Next, the groom studiously read from a number of cards.  This is an actuary being extrovert.

And three (wise) best men.  The one in the middle was also the announcer guy, what do you call 'em?  The, um, master of ceremonies type person.  Is that right?  Who knows.  The one on the right looks a bit like Will from the Inbetweeners, but it's probably just the angle.

And here is the menu, in justified text style.  Hmmm, what am I going to do about the duck main?

So, here we have the starter...

...the funky-lookin' bread rolls...

...and my specially Nutter-cooked fillet steak (all you have to do is ask).

Graham couldn't resist a bit of socialising.  Schoey doing the rounds, as they used to call it at the Bank.  He still somehow knows that I am taking a photo of him.  I wondered what Sarah was doing for a second, but she is blowing bubbles.

Two boys at our tables.  I know not of their names.

Louise was certainly enjoying the evening meal.  "Phwoarr, yeah, give us some more of that duck, chuck."

I don't just want a hunky hero of a man.  I want a hunky hero of a man adorned with a fascinator.

And last but not least, some dessert action.

And, well now, that was an update wasn't it?  Bet you weren't expecting that.  I promise it won't be another three years until the next one.  But for now, that is all.

I will now get things rolling with a disturbing shot of Rowllings enjoying his bread and butter pudding.

The bubble blowing proved very popular with the boys, one looking serious and the other, well, seemingly enjoying it rather too much.

Just look how popular the bubble blowing is, and how rapt Paul is with Louise's sterling effort.

Time for a random snapshot of a random snapshot.

And Lynne did glow.  This is a rare normal photo of her.  Hence it is on here.

Sarah listens intently to Louise seemingly reading out from the camera.  Paul seems a little bit bored and does one of the Haka's facial expressions.

It's getting later now so it's time to switch to Nutters By Night!