The guests arrive

The reception was held at Longstowe Hall (1), set in the countryside some ten miles outside Cambridge. Dating from the reign of Elizabeth I, the Hall remains a family home and lies hidden within ancient woodland . The grounds are extensive including a formal rose garden and a long lawn which runs down to the edge of the lake. The bride and groom greeted their guests in the impressive surroundings of the Great Hall.

After the formal greetings, guests moved from the Great Hall through into the gardens. There they were met by staff offering champagne or a glass of Buck's Fizz. At intervals trays of canapes were passed around the increasing throng. With the bridal couple involved in another round of formal and informal photography, it was an opportunity to chat, admire the surroundings, stroll around the gardens or wander down the sweep of the lawn between the flower beds to look at the water. The weather was cool and blustery but remained dry. As five o'clock approached, everyone was called to order at the top of the lawn for group pictures.

Dinner is served

The wedding reception proper was held in a large marquee at the rear of the Hall. Tables were laid out, decorated and set for dinner - each labelled with a distinctive name ("Bellagio", "Luxor" after the famous hotels in Las Vegas). Guests were invited to find their table from the seating plan just inside the entrance. Their seat at the table was identified by a pot of preserve or chutney, the tag customised with their own picture. Throughout the evening guests were entertained and mystified by the dexterity and prestidigitation of Lee Smith, whose enterprise, Walkabout Magic (2), is based locally in Hitchin.

In something of a break with tradition, the speeches were made prior to the service of the meal. (Rob confided in one editor that this was to allow him to dispense with his nerves early so that he could enjoy his food!) Roger complimented his daughter and welcomed Rob into his family commenting that he had already survived his trial by sisters. Rob's reply brought tears of joy from his new bride. Mark, the best man, raised a glass to toast the bridesmaids after he had recalled a few risqué anecdotes from Rob's past life.

Continued in column 2...

Speech! Speech!!

The meal finished, it was time to cut the cake. The top piece was a rich fruit cake which surmounted tiers of decorated and iced chocolate or carrot cup cakes. In a further salute to Nevada, each guest was given $100 of fun money to spend in the wedding casino located at the far end of the marquee which provided a blackjack table and a roulette wheel. Their services were in heavy demand. After Rob and Lindsey had taken to the dance floor for their first waltz, the evening's entertainment continued with a disco.

Tailpiece

The new Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eldridge have left the building bound for their wedding night in Cambridge before embarking on their honeymoon. They have planned a two week vacation in America, staying at The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas and visiting New York.

Roger and Lynda: the guests salute you! Thank you for the invitation, for the well planned and executed organisation and above all for a beautiful and memorable day.

Footnote

Were you a guest? Do you have fond memories of the day or thoughts about the article that you would like to share? If so, email us at the address at the bottom of the Letters page or on page 1 of the BROWN pages. See other people's comments at: Letters to the Editor.

Photographs by Alan Craxford, Richard Eldridge, Jenny Eldridge, Jackie Hayward and Jane Wallington

References

1. Longstowe Hall, Cambridgeshire the website
2. Lee Smith, Magician Walkabout Magic the website

Please contact us

If you have any questions or comments about the information on this site in general, or you have further information regarding this article, please contact us at Alan. We look forward to hearing from you.

Added: September 20th 2009
Updated: April 21st 2012

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