He’s All Grown Up

Saturday, July 9th 2022

The day has finally come. My youngest brother is going to, permanently, have a thumb mark imprinted onto his forehead. He’s getting married.

The big event was happening at a place called Ye Olde Plough House in Bulphan, Essex. For a treat, I decided to book a room for myself and the missus. The rooms are pricey, but. I thought we deserved it.

The only other problem that may be an issue would be the family. I have pretty much cut-off contact with several members of my family. The main being my mum. I knew this would be an issue but didn’t let it worry me that much or at all. But the wife seemed to want to worry for the both of us.

So the day came we packed our bags, got in our taxi and off we went. The place itself is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. But looks pretty fancy from the website. When you arrive, the front looks like a nice-looking version of those American motels you see on the t.v and in movies. Everything is on the ground floor. But walking around, you have to watch out for the steps into the different rooms around the building, including the guest rooms.

We got our room key from reception and made our way to the room. Our room was at the back of the hotel. After we got ourselves sorted. We headed back to find out where the ceremony was going to be held.

Then it happened. I saw my mother. I thought, screw it. I told my wife what it was I was going to do, as we walked straight toward my mum and stepdad. It was simple. I was checking the lay of the land. So I walked past and said hello. The response was a cold hello back, with an extra looking in the other direction. So from there on out, I knew how to continue. No communication. Fair enough. She was, clearly, not happy with me, their loss.

We made our way into the bar area. I found one of my brothers. He didn’t know what was happening either. So we waited, for more information, as the other guests bought drinks from the bar.

Finally, we were all called to head for the room where the ceremony was going to happen. The room was big enough for just about everyone. There was a decent turnout. I was shut down, straight away, as I brought my camera to film the proceedings. The couple didn’t want anyone filming or taking pictures as they had someone dealing with it all.

The ceremony was a registry wedding. We got to have a laugh, as my brother welled up a bit when the future wife arrived, the “tough guy” that he is. Tried to brush it off jokingly.

I was happily surprised to see my uncle, cousin (his son). My cousin brought his wife along as well. My sister, whom we found beforehand, joined the seats behind us. I was surprised by this as I thought she would have the same attitude as my mum, but clearly not. My niece had grown since the last time I saw her. My nephew had grown even more since the last time I had seen him. Was when he was a baby.

Everything went smoothly and we enjoyed my brother screwing up the lines he had to recite.

Afterwards, we went outside and saw there was a Rolls Royce. Well, I thought it was a Rolls. But just checking online as the spirit of ecstasy, it was not. It turns out it was a 1930 Pierce-Arrow Limousine. It was gorgeous. I would have loved to have been in there. Everyone immediately started taking pictures. After a while, they finally drove off. I didn’t know where they were going, as everything was planned, in the same building. We went around the back to an outside seating area. We had drinks and canapes. I enjoyed the feta cheese and spinach wraps. The wife did as well.

The happy couple eventually came back. The family and friends photos section began. I also took the time to enjoy the place we were staying the night.

The gardens were a wedding photographer’s dream as there were items placed here and there that would make a great picture.

Eventually, we all entered the main room for the reception. We were seated with my brother, his other half, my uncle, cousin with his wife.

The guest tables were decorated with serviettes. Printed on them was the name and date of the couple and day. They clearly spent a lot of money. Everything was fancy. A little too much for what I am used to. We all received a cookie that also had their name and date on it. I ate mine later back in the room. It tasted like a soft shortbread biscuit with icing. It wasn’t bad.

Meals were brought out and filtered out amongst the guests after the couple arrived in the room. The starter was a caramelised onion tart with side lettuce. To be honest. The lettuce tasted better. The main was chicken with vegetables. It wasn’t bad at all. There was also a yellow gravy sauce. That didn’t look appealing. The cheesecake dessert, I had to admit. The more I ate, the better it was.

Afterwards began the speeches. We had a hard time hearing everything that was being said. They didn’t have a mic. But it was clear that my brother had had too much to drink as he couldn’t stop crying and telling everyone how much he loved us.

We then were asked to exit the room while they set up for the evening festivities.

The wife and I decided it was time to walk around the gardens. We were impressed. I think we mainly enjoyed the different trees they had. They had several of one of my favourite, a weeping willow. These were situated at the back and along the side of the road. There were also a couple of stone archways. That looked like something out of a Shakespearian greek tragedy. There is a fountain as you enter the seating area. Plus a stream, a bit further up, with a couple of stone bridges.

After our walk, we went back to our room.

The amount we paid, I feel, didn’t justify the money. But with the view of the gardens, you’re nearly there. We have been to other places where we got more for a lot less. I think you are mainly paying for the surroundings.

I got changed to go out again. I had had enough of wearing my shoes and suit. The wife decided to stay behind. She did herself proud. She was worried about her anxiety and other things. But she was still a little drained from the day’s events. She did okay. Plus with having a couple of drinks. The other thing was that she didn’t wash the dress she was wearing before the event. She wore it brand new. The problem was that the day was extremely hot. Everyone was sweating buckets. She ended up with her dress dyeing her body and turning her body a dark blue colour. She started moaning that she looked like a Smurf.

I went back and had another walk around. For some reason, I didn’t feel I belonged anymore. I know it sounds stupid. I spoke to my brother and cousin again. I decided to buy some drinks from the bar. The wife had asked for an appletiser. But sadly, no crisps. My brother was there, completely wasted. Still standing. But wasted. I said I was going to head in, for the night. Telling him that I would see him later. He said okay, then grabbed me and kissed the side of my head… Which was weird. The couple he was talking to saw my expression and laughed.

Back in the room, I dropped my drinks on the side and got myself comfortable. I tried to start this blog but had problems with my internet. I tried YouTube, but nothing. So I just laid out on the bed and watched the tele.

Spider-man: Far from home was on so. I decided to watch that until I started falling asleep. The wife was already asleep. I had to shut the blinds as a hotel worker kept going back and forwards. The wife was sleeping on the bed at the time.