WEDDINGS AS SYMBOLISATION OF THE UNION OF TWO PEOPLE AND THEIR COMMUNITIES?

Part of the Hanbury Marriott Hotel

Hertford, it might be said, is one of those towns which are located in England's idealised or idyllic  green and pleasant lands. And it was to Hertford that my partner and I went on a recent pleasant and sunny Saturday, to attend the seemingly long awaited wedding of my partner's relative and his elegant and beautiful bride.

We travelled for probably 150 miles and spent over 3 hours, including a short comfort break at a motorway service station, getting Hertford. Upon arriving there, we made our way to the Cafe' hotel, Cinnabar, in Fore Street. Nowhere to park so we proceeded to find the multi-storey car park which the member of staff from Cinnabar Hotel kindly directed us towards. We found it alright, having to bypass it on the opposite side of the road, then making our way to the next roundabout and then coming back on ourselves before darting off along the entry to the car park. 

By the time we had parked the car, we had about 20 minutes to get to All Saints' Church, which was just across the dual carriage way. However, due to the absence of any pavement on either side of the dual carriageway, we had to precariously navigate our way along the narrow flat corridor diving the traffic coming from our left and our right. That was no fun and I suspected that we would have been the cause of much puzzlement from the people passing us by in their vehicles.

Still, all that embarrassment would be forgotten shortly, after we made our way, by foot, to cover the 200 or so metres to get to the church, and begin to meet up with family and friends whom we had not seen for some time.

A corridor in the sumptuous Hanbury Marriott Hotel

The groom and his brothers and parents and other relatives were already outside the church waiting and enjoying the occasion.  The Church is of the solid and grand variety which speaks of a history going back to 1895, when the current Church was build to replaced the previous one, which was destroyed by fire in 1891.

Before long we would all be ushered into the Church by the Groom, to witness the solemn act of him and his beautiful bride tying the 'knot', although not without the Groom, in all good taste, seizing on all opportunities to display the twinkle in his eyes.

The wedding stage having been completed by the young female Vicar, everybody dutifully made their way out of All Saint's Church and proceeded to the front of it, for the many individual and group photos and videos to be taken. That having been completed, we all made our way to the 16 or so miles to the Hanbury Marriott Hotel and Country Club, in Ware, for the reception.


The reception took place in the spacious Jacobean Manor buildings, which is now home to the sumptuous Hanbury Marriott Hotel and Country Club, and which, according to an entry in Wikipedia, has a very interesting history going back to the 17th century.

A towering view of All Saints' Church, in Hertford

As weddings go, this one, of D and C, was of the 'more upmarket' and ostentatious variety. The kind where even the chairs and tables, as is the norm at these weddings, were exquisitely dressed in white, and competed with the guests for attention, and the guests were attended by staff working as members of designated teams. The food was lovely, with its range being varied, and the drinks were profuse and  just as varied as the food; all of which were provided  for the guests at no cost. 

Part of the Hanbury Marriott Hotel

The bride and the groom painted a picture of being in a loving relationship which is characterised by a deep love, appreciation and respect for each other.  As the gamely, charismatic, charming and extremely funny groom commented, during his speech, a number of things had happened which, for him, confirmed that his delightful bride, is, indeed, the 'one for him.' Like the Groom, his brothers entertained the guest with funny stories and anecdotes of interesting and sometimes, painful and traumatic experiences they have had in their lives, and of how their strong family loyalty and support of their parents had seen them through.

The entertainment also included taped and live music, both being of a high and enjoyable standard.

The groom and the bride are of different 'racial' or ethnic origins, which makes their marriage an 'interracial' one; as were the guests.  And this, it seems to me, is something which needs to be celebrated, as it was at the wedding, and replicated more often, so that their are more 'living examples' of how people of different races, ethnic communities and religious affiliations, can, and do need to come together and symbolise the fact that, we are all of 'one world, one human race, and one destiny', and should therefore live in peace with each other and eschew racism and xenophobia; in all of their manifestations. 


Cheers to D and C and to the happy future you both deserve. And to them and their parents; thanks for inviting and entertaining us, guys. We had a great time, which has tended to be how it is whenever we meet up.