The wedding

The bride. Liz when a guide and  at engagement party

 I had made life difficult for myself by becoming a Catholic as I had to produce more documents! Simon received communion whch made me very happy. Down the aisle to Karg-Elert Nun danket. Beforehand Rhosymedre to calm me down! Photos - Our Lady of Victories has since been transformed!Car to De Vere hotel and then reception and speeches. Dad recorded piano music for it. It all went so quickly and so many people we knew were there from all over the country - Lana (in hat) Ron, Betty and Stan standing in for Mum and Dad, Newcastle in strength but no Nellie, Pauline Clarke from Norwich. We left to "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye" taxi to Rubens hotel. Got to room and suit full of confetti. Promptly burst into tears because I was so happy and I really missed Ann and Mum and Dad. Dinner sent champagne back - not cold enough. So to bed after many months of waiting!
Next day Mass at Westminster cathedral and to the airport to go to Munich. Coach to Austria dropping off people at grand hotels. Our hotel at Traunkirchen was small and goat's cheese was served. Oh well nothing else have to eat it! An idyllic time - it was where Brahms composed the second symphony and Wolf loved it - that was good enough for me! Trips to salt mine, Salzburg and wonderful Vienna and the musical instrument museum. On the last night everyone came on our balcony which was the biggest for the fireworks over the lake and somebody mixed my drinks. I was sick! Liz swam in the cold lake I didn't! At that stage I had not had lessons - only when at school.

The wedding

Signing the register with Fr Eldridge (in fact a registrar had to be present)

page 102 Dad gets the engagement month wrong. Aug 3rd 1974 happiest day of my life. I went to stay at Simon and Jenny's in Kew on the night before and had forgotten pyjamas. Result I nearly lost my voice for the big day. We had been for drinks at the Windmill after the choir rehearsal. Dad's anthem went well but the Byrd 4 part mass was more tricky for chorus singers. John East conducted and David Bevan played. Francis had the service sheets and decided not to sing so he left the sheets on the piano downstairs at church but we did not know where they were so we went ahead without them. My hair and beard had been done by Toni and I had a lovely 3 piece grey pinstripe suit with grey cravat chosen by Simon who looked immaculate. It was so lovely that so many people came from all over the country including Stan and Betty standing in for Mum and Dad (who recorded piano music for the reception) Newcastle relatives came in strength but Nellie refused. Pauline Clarke from Norwich, Ron Richardson.
There was a delay at the start as they were waiting for Fr Benedict who did not come. Bliss Fanfares twice! And there she was - so lovely like an English rose in white and simple veil. I was so happy. The night before I was worried but how could I be worried!  I had met the love of my life! The rest was a dream. Fr Eldridge very tall - Is he one of us? he asked Liz. After all the preparation! Simon receiving communion. Taxi to the hotel De Vere opposite Kensington gardens. All too soon the tea was over and the toasts done and we were off to "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye" in a taxi to the Rubens hotel near Victoria. When we got to the room I had confetti everywhere and I burst into tears because I was so happy and because Ann, Mum and Dad were not there but all our friends were! To dinner and sent the champagne back because it was not cold enough. And so the long awaited moment! The next morning to Mass at the cathedral and off to get the plane to Munich. From there coaches to Austria and our hotel seemed very small after the others! Meal of goats cheese - oh well if there's nothing else!