Here comes the bride (again)

Some of my Blip friends may recall that in 2022, Anniemay and I took part in Dan and Varnika’s colourful, noisy, bonkers, three-day long wedding ceremony in Goa.  Unfortunately, as it turned out, that’s all it was - a ceremony.  Despite the fact that Dan has lived and worked in Goa for more 10 years, their attempts to become a married couple in the eyes of the law, has proved nigh on impossible.  

So following a number of long-distance phone calls, the decision was taken to try and organise a wedding in the UK.  And not a cast of hundreds, three-day affair, but a simple “do you take?” job in a registry office.  Which is what we did.

A community room behind the Civic Offices in Central Milton Keynes was made available.  Once the over-60s ladies' yoga class had finished, a few chairs were brought in and with the addition of a bunch of flowers, the room transformed. The icing on the cake was Varnika’s decision to wear the white wedding dress, that she’d worn in Goa.

The celebrant was both funny and business-like.  At one point she instructs Dan to take Varnika's hand.  He's a bit unsure which hand; "take the hand which is not your sword hand".  He's even more confused; "so you can protect her."  The whole thing - although low-key - is surprisingly moving.  

Afterwards we headed down to a bar in the business district of CMK, for a few beers and a game of pool.  See extras.