ROB AND LINDSEY'S WEDDING: The Craxford Family Genealogy Magazine

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THE MARRIAGE OF LINDSEY BURNS AND ROBERT ELDRIDGE

Saturday September 5th 2009: A pictorial record of the day

PART 1: THE SERVICE

St John the Baptist Church, Royston, Hertfordshire

INTRODUCTION

The invitation

"It all started when one of my bestest and oldest friends met Rob on the train on the way home from Stevenage one night. She told me all about this gorgeous guy she'd met on the train and how, unfortunately, he'd had to get off before she got his number. Luckily for her, she bumped into him in The Dolphin Pub one night where, this time, she left with his number! Luckily for me, after a few dates they went their separate ways. Not long later, she pointed him out to me, across a crowded Postie, and I too thought he was rather attractive! I made the first move, went over for a chat and let's just say we hit it off!"

"We then went out on a few dates and realised that this was for real! Rob visited me every weekend throughout uni. So when I came home it was only 8 months before we moved into a house together in Royston. And just 8 months after that, we bought our first house together in Melbourn. We've lived in Melbourn with our two cats, Crackers and Munch, for over a year now and are so happy to now be engaged. We are both really looking forward to the next stage in our lives and our future together. THANK YOU CAROLINE!!"- Lindsey Burns (1)

PREPARATIONS


*A date with the hairdresser*	*Made up*	*The wedding car*

The wedding had been a long time in the planning. Bookings had been made and invitations had been sent over twelve months in advance. Each guest was sent a fridge magnet with the date inscribed as an aide-memoire. The day started early for Lindsey as her bridesmaids gathered around her for a champagne breakfast and the morning was spent attending to the coiffure and manicure and cosmetics and getting dressed (an inside source reported there to be "lots of hair, lots of make up and general girliness!"). At least the weather was kind: the sun shone although there was a blustery wind. The car arrived for the bride at half past one.


*Rob with his best man and ushers*	*Matthew and Amy*	*The bridesmaids*

At the same time, guests were beginning to arrive at the church. The appointed time for the service was 2 o'clock. Rob was accompanied by his best man, Mark Flynn. Also in attendance were his two ushers, Carl Gambles and Tom Atkinson. Lindsey's bridesmaids were Vikki Burns, Jenny Eldridge, Kirsty Gambles, Jessica Swann and Nicola Swann; the contrast of the silver grey of their dresses and the bright and varied colours of the flower posies was a particularly stunning touch. Karl's children Amy and Matthew officiated as flower girl and page boy.

The guests congregate outside the church

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THE SERVICE

The parish church of St John the Baptist stands on Melbourn Road, Royston. It is the only surviving part of an Augustinian priory, which dates from the latter half of the twelfth century. Its initial siting may have been influenced by the existence of a nearby wayside cross at the crossroads of Ermine Street and Icknield Way established or restored by a Lady Roisia (Crox Roisia) from which the town's name was derived: Roisia's Tun or Royston. Restoration work was undertaken in the 1850s and 1860s and between 1872 and 1875 the church began to take on its present appearance. (2)


*Lindsey's arrival*	*Rob waiting*	*The bride's side congregation*

The service was conducted by the Revd. Leslie Harman, vicar of the parish. Perhaps as a gesture to tradition, the bride was some fifteen minutes late entering the church, during which time the organist played a recital and Rob kept glancing back towards the door from his first row pew. Then, preceded by the choir, Lindsey, supported on her father's arm, led her bridal procession down the nave to the steps of the chancel to the strains of the Minuet from Handel's "Music for the Royal Fireworks".


*At the altar*	*Nicola Swann sings*	*The rings*


Groom's mother read a lesson	Click for the Order of Service	The Bride's mother read a lesson	*Jane read a poem*	*The marriage certificate*

As part of the service there were readings from the Bible by the mothers of the groom and bride. Brenda Eldridge read "The Wedding in Cana" from St John's Gospel and Lynda Burns read "God is Love" from the First Epistle of St John. Jane Wallington then read a poem entitled "Happy Ever After" which she had written to celebrate Rob and Lindsey's union. After the marriage vows and exchange of rings the party retired to the Lady Chapel for the signing of the register. During this time, Nicola Swann sang Christine McVie's "Songbird". The formalities complete, the procession reassembled and left the church to the sound of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March".

THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND DEPARTURE


*The procession forms up after the signing of the register*	*The Wedding March*


*Pageboy delight*	*The family photograph*	*Happy flower girl*

The congregation followed the bridal party outside to a celebratory pealing of the church's bells. Groups of well-wishers milled about whilst the official photographer arranged his subjects: the bridal pair; the bridal pair with their attendants; the bridal pair and their families. Cascades of confetti gave the amateurs their chance for some candid shots. After about thirty minutes it was time to leave. Lindsey and Rob made their way down the churchyard path to the entrance where their wedding car was waiting. The reception beckoned.