Claire and Richard — Manor of Groves — Sunday, 14 September, 2008

Richard arrives, mostly suited and booted, but its not long before the first….

…spreadsheet check!

According to the aforementioned spreadsheet “15:07:23 Adam check Richard’s tie”

Being near enough to Stansted’s landing pattern meant that Ariella was always captivated

I quickly became captivated by the lights in the lobby…also I learned that the hat/Rabbi thing wasn’t just something I had only seen in the movies

See…there’s those lights again

By tradition the Groom comes to meet the Bride to confirm to the Rabbi and a witness that she is, in fact, his bride of choice…this is called Bedecken
Both parents walk the Bride (and the groom incidentally) down the aisle

Naturally I was captivated by the cultural symbols.  I was also given a skull cap to wear.  Being the ever astute photographer it only took my about 5 minutes to realise that everyone on the left was wearing one…thats because everyone on the left was a man.  It all made sense once the light bulb turned on!

The B&Gs Brother-in-law Sha’anan does a ‘reading’ (not sure if readings the right word as it was sung)

But, no matter what type of service, theres always a receiving line — YAY!

Ariella misses the warm Israeli sunshine

Wine?

The B&G weren’t much into couply shots…this is number 1 of 2

I’m not sure if this is the Hamotzi or whether the act of cutting it is called the Hamotzi — either way I was something different for me

The fabled Israeli dancing…everything I expected it to be only faster!

Shortly before Hamotzi guests can participate in the Washing

Ariella (quite a star in the blog as well as a star for the entire family) sits in the middle of the Israeli dancing

Father’s for Justice are taking it all a bit too far :)  I took Spanish in High School so I have little chance with Hebrew

Fortunately, for the boys, all that dancing had made Richard about 4 pounds lighter

“Oops up-side ya head I say oops upside ya head”

On a day when Torro Rosso won their first Grand Prix it was only fitting that Rabbi Davis did a great bull imitation…what you can’t see is the chap holding the serviette awaiting his charge

The entire room — all 178 guests — toasts the bride.  No pressure.

When giving the speech you are all on your own :)

Richard’s dad

Dancing with Dad

The chaps in the most amazing band, Creation, take to the floor to stir things up

You’re being a bit greedy don’t you think?

Blue tone

Regular blog readers will know that I predicted this!

It certainly wasn’t New York, New York

Many thanks to everyone for a genuinely unique experience.  I felt privileged to be a part of it.