Chapter 19: Vows & Fun
On Saturday 13th April, they are getting ready to celebrate their hen's & stag's do with their best friends at Hambledon vineyard. On their first day, they are going to make their own English Sparkling Wine all together, have lunch then they will do a chocolate & wine tasting. Julia & her girlfriends will then hit the SPA whilst the boys are going to do some quad race around the vineyard.
They have a very good dinner booked on Saturday evening in the main house, in a room privatized for them.
On Sunday, after a big breakfast, they are going to go for a discovery tour of the vineyard, have lunch in the cellar and then whilst Julia & her girlfriends are going to have a sparkling afternoon tea, the boys are going to have a paintball session – David feels strong enough to enjoy it and not let it trigger him.
"Love, are you ready? The car is waiting for us"
"I am coming, David, I am coming"
"You are more vocal usually when you come"
"Cheeky, David, very cheeky"
They both laugh out loud.
"OK, I am ready. Let's go!"
"What took so long, love?"
"Nothing, Darling"
"Mmmm"
"Am I not allowed to have some surprise in store for you?"
"Yes, you are, Ma'am"
They arrive there just in time to meet all their friends in the main hall. They introduce all their friends to each other then they start the first activity scheduled: the fabrication of their own English Sparkling wine all together. They all enjoy themselves a lot.
They have a late lunch and there is a good atmosphere in the group, at the beginning everybody was doing some efforts to get along for Julia & David, but with the time, their friends discovered common passions & discussion topics.
The chocolate & wine tasting is great as well, they all enjoy it immensely.
Julia & her girlfriends have a nice and relaxing time at the SPA and they even have a group massage.
David and his friends have great fun on their quads but David is coming back quite dirty as his friends pushed him in the mud at some point.
David is entering their room and finds Julia in a relaxing bath.
He approaches her and wants to kiss her but she pushes him away gently.
"David, hands off! You are so dirty"
"Oh, do you want me to show you how dirty I am, Prime Minister"
"I do when you will have removed all these dirty clothes & take a shower to remove all the mud from your hair, face & hands"
"Your desires are order, Ma'am"
David cleans himself up and watches Julia intently from the shower. Julia holds his gaze and then starts to caresses herself. She starts with her breast, her nipples which are just above water level, then moves her hands down and starts to stimulate her clit before entering one then two fingers in her sex. She closes her eyes as the pleasure is building up, knowing David is getting more and more aroused.
David stops the shower and jumps in the bath, making the water splashing around them on the floor and which startle slightly Julia who opens her eyes, only to see his eyes full of desire before he attacks her mouth hungrily.
"David, we have to get ready"
"Mmmm, first I want to make you come hard and scream my name"
Julia pulls him close to her which makes the water splash even more strongly and they kiss hard. Then David carries her out of the bath and pins her against the tiles of the bathroom, he lifts his amputated leg, so she has good support on her other leg and he thrusts into her with passion.
They continue to kiss and caress each other everywhere they can access to and they reach their peak at the same time. Both screaming the other's name.
"God, David. That was memorable"
"It was memorable indeed"
They both laugh.
"I think we need another shower, you look quite flushed, love"
"You too, David"
"OK, let's be quick as we are expected downstairs in 20 minutes"
During the dinner, Helen as prepared a quiz for both of them, to see if they know each other well. She asks them the same questions about their other half and compare with the answers they gave us by email, separately, before this weekend and they count the points.
1. What is her/his date of birth?
Julia's answer: David is born on the 18th June 1986
David's answer: Julia is born on the 12th June 1977
2. In what city was she/he born?
Julia's answer: David is born in Elderslie
David's answer: Julia is born in Cheltenham
3. What is her/his middle name?
Julia's answer: Easy, we needed for the wedding, it is "Stinnys"
David's answer: As Google says correctly, it is "Elisabeth"
4. What is her/his favorite color?
Julia's answer: David really like "blue", even if he doesn't vote Tory
David's answer: Julia likes "lavender" both the flowering plant's scent and its color
5. What is his favorite movie?
Julia's answer: Star Wars, without hesitation
David's answer: Star Wars, without hesitation
6. Who is her/his favorite actor/actress?
Julia's answer: Mmm I would say "Keeley Hawes" as he really likes "Line of Duty", "Ashes to Ashes" and "MI-5"
David's answer: Richard Madden! She liked him to much in GoT
8. What is her/his favorite series?
Julia's answer: Game of Thrones, without hesitation
David's answer: Game of Thrones, without hesitation
9. What is her/his favorite song?
Julia's answer: I would say "Rocket Man" from Elton John, he really liked the movie
David's answer: She can listen to "Personal Jesus" from Depeche Mode 10 times in a row
10. Who is her/his favorite singer?
Julia's answer: Let's say "Elton John"
David's answer: That's difficult but I would say "Harry Connick Jr."
11. Who is her/his favorite band?
Julia's answer: David loves U2
David's answer: Depeche Mode! No doubt about that one
12. What is her/his favorite sport?
Julia's answer: Football!
David's answer: Football!
13. What is her/his favorite food?
Julia's answer: David loves pizza
David's answer: Julia is fond about Indian food
14. What is her/his favorite vacation spot?
Julia's answer: Anywhere in Scotland
David's answer: The French Riviera
15. What is her/his favorite country other/his than her/his country of birth?
Julia's answer: I think it is Ireland
David's answer: Julia speaks French and has studied there for a semester, so I would say France
16. What is the quality she/he values most about you?
Julia's answer: he says very often that he admires "my sharp mind"
David's answer: I would say "my chivalry" as our psychotherapist said recently
17. What is the fault she/he hates the most about you?
Julia's answer: he hates my obsession with order
David's answer: she hates my messy side
18. What is her/his main obsession?
Julia's answer: security
David's answer: order
19. What is the first gift she/he gave you?
Julia's answer: a bouquet of orchids whilst I was at the hospital
David's answer: to get Charlie is his new special school
20. What was her/his nickname as a child?
Julia's answer: Little Dick
David's answer: Princess J.
They had only made one small mistake each: David's favorite song is actually "Nothing else matters" from Metallica and Julia's favorite holiday spot is Corfu, followed closely by the French Riviera.
They are all very drunk at the end of the evening and they fall into a peaceful slumber.
On the Sunday morning, David is awaken suddenly as Julia is shaking and screaming. He switch the light on and holds her close against his chest.
"You are safe, love. It was a nightmare. You are safe. I am here with you, we are both safe. I love you. We are getting married in 3 weeks. Everything is fine. I want you to concentrate on your breathing and count with me. One, two, three, four,… "
The panic attack is slowly waved off.
"Sorry, David"
"Don't be sorry, love. We both know it can still happen from time to time to both of us and we know how to help the other to cope with it"
"We do, but I am sorry, I had a nice surprise for you this morning"
"Well, I am sure you can still surprise me tonight or another day"
"Can you, please, just hold me close now. I need a bit more sleep"
"Of course, love. I am not going anywhere"
They both fall back to sleep and wake-up 2 hours later, feeling both much more rested and fresh.
They have breakfast in bed and then they join their friends for the second day of festivities. They go for a discovery tour of the vineyard, the weather is nice and the tour is great. Then they do a bit of wine tasting and have lunch in the cellar. Julia & her girlfriends have another SPA session and a sparkling afternoon tea. David and his friends do a paintball session. They all enjoy themselves a lot and David is very proud as he is not triggered. Then they come back home.
"David, I need to have some work done, I am afraid. I will be in my office at number 10"
"OK, love, no problem. I will call the kids and study for my DI exam"
After 2 hours, Julia is texting him: "Can you, please, come in my office, I want your opinion on something"
Julia is waiting for him in her office at number 10. She got changed and wears a black pencil skirt, a classical white shirt with 4 buttons open from the top to show the glimpse of nice red lace lingerie… David enters the room and looks at her with wide eyes.
"Julia, you got changed?" stutters David..
"You are very observant, Sergeant. You should apply for Detective Training"
"What is that for, Prime Minister? You have a late visioconference meeting?"
"Not really, no. You see my fiancé had his stag's do this weekend and every self-respecting bachelor party has to include a strip teaser"
"But maybe your fiancé didn't want any and specifically asked his friends not to include that"
"Maybe, but maybe his fiancée could do it then?"
"You want to do a strip tease for me, here, in your office?"
"Yes, and I want you to make passionate love to me on my desk"
"Is it a fantasy of you, Prime Minister?"
"Absolutely, can you, please, stop talking now Sergeant?"
Julia pushes him gently backwards until he falls on a chair and she starts to undress herself very slowly.
She starts by opening her shirt, untucking it from her skirt, unbuttons it very slowly, descending it off her shoulder, her lower back then letting it fall down on the ground softly. She is wearing a beautiful red lace corset. She unzips her skirt teeth by teeth and turns herself in order to give him a full view of her ass, then she does some "vahiné" moves and pulls her skirt down. It falls as a small black pool on the ground. He can see her beautiful corset fully now, with a matching garter belt and black stockings.
"You are so beautiful Julia, I am a very lucky man"
Julia blushes slightly but continues her strip tease by removing her stockings slowly and sensually, then the garter belt. She then lowers a strap of her corset, then the other, she removes the knot at the back and loos it up and then pushes the corset down and steps out of it slowly. She is now completely naked in front of him.
"Every self-respecting bachelorette party is including a strip teaser. I had the same idea love, but I did not change my clothes yet, I am sorry"
David starts to undress himself slowly as well. Unbuttoning his shirt slowly before taking it in one hand, making it swing on top of his head before launching it softly on Julia who can't help but laugh.
Then he unzips his fly teeth by teeth as well and removes his jeans whilst not facing her, so she also has a full view of his ass. He is left in his boxer short that he removes so very slowly.
They are both fully naked in front of each other and quite turned-on by the strip tease they have both performed & watched.
David takes one step to her, Julia does the same, then they hurry towards the other, their mouths crash and they kiss passionately for several minutes, both only stopping only to gasp some air. David doesn't waste any time and bends her on her desk and enters her from behind, knowing she is more than ready for him. He uses one hand to hold her close to his body and the other to caress her breast, her nipples, her stomach, her spine and finally her clit.
They both speed up the pace as David is thrusting into her deeply. They are both overwhelmed by pleasure at the same time as Julia's walls clenching on his sex ignites his own orgasm.
"I wanted to make love to you on that desk since the day we moved in together in Downing Street"
"Me too"
"We can tick the box now"
Julia laughs "Indeed, and I am open to a replay any time, Sergeant"
It's David's turn to laugh "Your desires are order, Ma'am"
The 3 following weeks are passing as quickly as lightspeed between the wedding preparation, Julia's work, David's training, the preparation of their first 3 days Official Visit abroad as a married couple. They meet the US president, Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump in Washington just after the wedding, on their way to Necker Island where they will spend 10 days for their Honeymoon. This is their wedding gift from Richard Branson who is an old friend of Julia. The Foreign Secretary will be in charge of the Government during their Honeymoon with specific guidance from Julia beforehand and specific orders not to disturb her unless in case of extreme emergency.
The evening before their big day, they lay in David's bed in his old room at his parents' house in Elderslie, they are facing each other under the sheets after having made love very slowly and tenderly.
"I can't believe we are getting married tomorrow!"
"I know, I still can't believe a wonderful, strong, brilliant and sexy woman as you accepted to marry me"
"David, are you not scared sometimes, because everything went so fast between us?"
"As you know, I was not very stable psychologically when we first met. I was not in a good place. I even tried to strangle you because you sweetly tried to wake me up one morning, something I will never forgive myself".
Julia gently squeezes his hand and kisses him softly.
"I have forgiven you David, a long time ago"
"You really saved me, Julia. You believed in me. You told me to get help. Your love and your strength helped me to heal, to reborn and accept that there is a dark part in myself, like in every human being. I feel stronger than ever today. I am in love with a beautiful, sexy, fiercely intelligent and strong head Tory. I feel like I am back in my teens sometimes with you. You are bringing out the best part of me and I am deeply in love with you. So no, I am not scared. I am amazed that you are in love with me and I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure I am not dreaming"
Julia kisses him softly again.
"And you, Julia? Are you scared about it?"
"Well, I have met the former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla several times when I was the Home Secretary. They met on the 13th November 2007 at a dinner organized by a common friend, they get married on the 2nd February 2008. They welcomed their baby girl Giulia on the 19th October 2011 when Carla was 44 years old and they are still happily married more than 10 years after. And, he is a conservative and she is a liberal". They both laugh.
"More seriously, David. Somebody would have told me one year ago that in a year time I would be married to a handsome, sexy, intelligent, head strong Scotsman 9 years younger than me and who votes labor, I would have laughed out loud. But today, nothing seems more right than being together with you. I love you deeply and from a statistics point of view, we might have a lot of odds against us, but I am used to fight against all odds, and win!". They both laugh again and kiss passionately.
Not so very long ago, this wedding would have been impossible as both David & Julia are divorced and their former wife/husband, are still alive.
Even though the Anglican Church was founded by a King wanting to rid himself of his queen, the British royal family and the religion it heads have been struggling with divorce and remarriage for centuries. It's not until the last half of the 20th century that divorce becomes common and the stigma begins to falls away.
Julia & David have decided to follow some of the traditional Scottish Rules with a modern twist in some others.
In the morning, after a good Scottish breakfast prepared by David's mum, Julia is getting ready in David's parents' room with the help of her mum, Helen & Trish. One of the 2 photographers capturing her preparation. Julia refused to have the wedding broadcasted, she might be the Prime Minister but this is a private matter which she & David want to keep for themselves, their families & friends. They agreed to publish an official portrait of them in the press on the Sunday with an official press release but nothing more. However, they hired 2 photographers to capture their big happy day and Julia wanted to have a film of the 2 ceremonies as well.
David is getting ready in his old room with his parents and the other photographer capturing his preparation.
Ella & Charlie who are already ready, thanks to Vicky's efficiency, are bouncing between Julia's room and David's room, overexcited. Ella is bride's maid & Charlie is page boy and they will bring the wedding rings attached to a heart shaped white satin cushion for the ring ceremony in the Church.
Charlie is proudly wearing a mini-version of the wedding kilt David is going to wear and Ella is wearing a mini-version of the lavender colored bridesmaids' dress Julia and her have chosen together, with a lavender crown. They both look so beautiful and happy to see their dad so happy and marrying Julia. They are also a bit nervous as they will be reading a text during the wedding but it is a surprise and neither David nor Julia knows about it, thanks to Julia's & David's mums.
Julia's make-up artist is finalizing Julia's make-up whilst the hairdresser is finishing Ella's braids and tie them together like a crown, which will support the lavender crown. Then she suggests to apply light make-up to Ella (just a bit of mascara and transparent gloss) who is over the moon. In the same time, the hairdresser works on Julia's bouncing natural curls and sparingly attaches some small fake diamonds in her hair. Then she does Julia's mum, Helen & Trish's hair as well.
They all help Julia to put on her off-shoulder lace A-Line ivory wedding dress. Julia looks at herself in the mirror and she becomes very emotional. Her mum sees it and hugs her tenderly.
"You look magnificent & regal Julia, but most importantly: you look so happy"
"Thank you mum. I am very happy indeed. I know it sounds very cliché but this is the happiest day of my life"
"Happier than when you were elected Prime Minister?"
"I was very happy on that day too, of course, it was a life-goal of mine for a very long time, but it doesn't compare to the inner happiness I am feeling today for marrying David. I have never expected this. I have never expected to fall in love so deeply. I have never expected.. him.."
"I am so happy for you Julia and I wish you all the happiness of the world"
"Thank you mum"
"Are you ready?"
"I have never been more ready for anything in my entire life"
"Let's go then"
She helps her to wear her matching wedding ivory bolero with the luckenbooth David gave her in the morning after breakfast, before they separate for the preparation. The beautiful classical heart-shaped brooch is made of silver and engraved with two intertwined hearts.
Then she hands her a lavender and rose bouquet, a miniature version of the one David gave her when she got back home after her long recovery after St Matthew's. Julia admires the bouquet and she smiles as she notices a sprig of white heather hidden in the bouquet as she knows it's a popular good luck token in the Scottish Borders.
They are about to exit the house and Julia's mother stops her.
"Julia, don't forget to put your right foot forward!"
"I didn't forget mum, don't worry"
She exits the house putting her right foot forward and holding the pause to allow the photographers to capture this tradition. They have decided not to do the feet-washing ceremony on the day of their wedding, in order to avoid Julia to feel uncomfortable with her prosthesis.
They decided to do the 'wedding scramble' which is traditional in most parts of Scotland - as the bride steps into the car, her father throws a handful of coins for the children to collect. Believed to bring about financial good fortune. As Julia's dad is dead, Julia's mum is doing it.
David and all the men present wear traditional Scottish attire, consisting of a kilt and its accessories and a short black jacket; a sprig of lucky white heather, sometimes adorned with a tartan ribbon, is frequently hung on the lapel of the jacket.
David is waiting for Julia in front of the registration office, feeling so happy. The protection team managed to evacuate all the paparazzi but David can't help to scan the surroundings and the building around.
Julia arrives in her usual BMW serie 3 black sedan customized with white ribbons for the wedding. Ned (one of David's friends) plays the pre-arrival music: "Hallelujah" from Leonard Cohen sang by Bon Jovi in the wedding room and everybody stops talking and sits on the chairs.
David holds his breath, Julia steps out the car and he looks at her mesmerized, encaptured by her beauty.
"Julia, you look stunning, love" and he can't stop himself and kisses her briefly on her lips.
"David, you are handsomely dashing in your traditional wedding kilt"
"I love you"
"I love you too"
"Ready?"
"With you, for everything"
David holds her hand and they walk to the registration office wedding room where the Registrar and all their friends & family are waiting for them with the song "Canon in D" by Pachelbel playing in the background.
When they reach their chairs and sit down, facing their guests, the very self-confident Julia Montague feels suddenly a bit overwhelmed by her emotions and clasps David's hand is a swift gesture. David simply smiles gently at her, it calms her straight away and she smiles back.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the British crown and the British government (there is a muffled collective laugh from the audience and David & Julia smile), I welcome you all to the Paisley Registration Office. You are here to witness the joining in matrimony of Julia Elisabeth Montague and David Stinnys Budd. Today marks a new beginning in their lives together and it means a lot to both of them that you, their family and friends, are here to witness their wedding vows and celebrate their marriage. If any person present knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage you should declare it now". There is a long silenced pause, so the Registrar goes on.
Marriage is a desire by two people to share themselves and their experiences with each other, and a willingness to accept each other for who they are. It is making a commitment to friendship and mutual respect and calls for honesty, patience, courage and of course, humour (there is another muffled collective laugh from the audience).
Marriage requires closeness and distance – the closeness of a couple growing together and enough distance to allow each partner to be an individual. A good partner in such a marriage will be loving, caring and above all a best friend.
I am now going to ask you each in turn to declare that you know of no legal reason why you may not be joined together in marriage. Please repeat after me…".
With a slightly trembling voice, Julia repeats after the Registrar: "I do solemnly declare – that I know not – of any lawful impediment – why I, Julia Elisabeth Montague, may not be joined in marriage to David Stinnys Budd".
As he speaks, David sounds very emotional: "I do solemnly declare – that I know not – of any lawful impediment – why I, David Stinnys Budd, may not be joined in marriage to Julia Elisabeth Montague".
Helen is standing up and starts her reading:
"The Art of a Good Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner"
She hugs Julia briefly & pats David's arm and comes back to her chair.
The Registrar continues:
"The purpose of marriage is that you always love, care for and support each other through both the joys and sorrows of life. Today you will exchange vows of marriage which will unite you as husband and wife. These vows are a promise of a lifelong commitment. Before you are joined in matrimony here today I have to remind you both of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make. These vows which unite you constitute a formal and public pledge of your love for one another. Marriage is the union of two people voluntarily entered into for life to the exclusion of all others. Please, repeat after me:"
David, Julia, please face each other. Guests, please stand". David and Julia turn towards each other and hold hands, their eyes glistening and very loving, "please repeat with me".
Julia, looking at David intensely, speaks again with a slightly trembling voice: "I call upon – these persons here present – to witness that I, Julia Elisabeth Monatgue, do take you, David Stinnys Budd, to be my lawful wedded husband.
David looks into Julia's eyes intensely as well: "I call upon – these persons here present – to witness that I, David Stinnys Budd, do take you, Julia, Elisabeth Montague, to be my lawful wedded wife.
They both grin broadly and squeeze each other's hands.
They are both very emotional and manage barely to hold back tears. Julia's mum is crying happily and David's mum as well..
The Registrar completes the ceremony: "today is a new beginning. May you have many happy years together and in those years may all your hopes and dreams be fulfilled. Above all, may you always believe in each other and may the warmth of your love enrich not only your lives but the lives of all those around you. It now gives me great pleasure to tell you both that you are now legally Husband and Wife. Congratulations".
David & Julia look at each other very lovingly, then they hug tightly and kiss passionately with everybody cheering loudly around them.
Ella & Charlie are the first ones to run to them and hug them tightly.
In the meantime, Julia's mum & David's parents have discretely guided everybody to sit back in their chairs. Ella & Charlie take a step in front of Julia & David, take a piece of paper Vicky is handing them and start to read "Today is the day"
Ella starts:
"Today is the day, on your wedding day
Today is a day you will always remember
The greatest in anyone's life
You'll start off the day just two people in love
And end it as Husband and Wife"
Charlie is taking over, standing confidently in front of everybody and continues the reading flawlessly and without hesitation:
"It's a brand new beginning the start of a journey
With moments to cherish and treasure
And although there'll be times when you both disagree
These will surely be outweighed by pleasure
You'll have heard many words of advice in the past
When the secrets of marriage were spoken
But you know that the answers lie hidden inside
Where the bond of true love lies unbroken
So live happy forever as lovers and friends"
Ella finishes:
"It's the dawn of a new life for you
As you stand there together with love in your eyes
From the moment you whisper 'I do'
And with luck, all your hopes, and your dreams can be real
May success find its way to your hearts
Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys"
And they say the last sentence together:
"But today is the day it all starts"
Author Unknown
Everybody is clapping their hands and Ella & Charlie are both beaming.
David is crying and hugs them both, he is so proud, especially of Charlie who managed to overcome his reading issues, partially thanks to the methods used in his new school but also thanks to his courage & willingness. Julia is very emotional and hugs them both as well, she barely manages not to cry.
It's also a very strong sign that they are happy to see Julia & David getting married and love Julia very much.
Vicky is crying happily, she looks at Julia and mouths "thank you" as she know Julia is the person behind Charlie's transfer into his new school. Julia smiles at her and mouths "you are welcome".
Julia's mum is hugging them both followed by David's parents.
The Registrar is finalizing the ceremony:
"Now the solemn moment has come for Julia & David to contract their marriage before you their witnesses, families and friends – so can I ask you all to stand please and join together for the celebration of their marriage. Then Julia & David and their witnesses sign the marriage register, with the song "Baby I'm Yours" by Arctic Monkeys playing in the background.
Once this has been done the Registrars signs the register and present them with their marriage certificate.
Richard is then giving Julia a Scottish Quaich or 'Loving Cup' - a two-handled silver bowl which she tops up with whisky and then passed around for the wedding party. The Quaich is often referred to as the love cup as the newlyweds each take a handle to take a drink, showing they trust one another to share the cup.
The Quaich is actually a traditional Scottish drinking vessel, and its name derives from Gaelic cuach simply meaning 'cup'. However, the quaich was not used for just any drink. The Quaich was reserved for a good old dram of whisky or brandy! This Quaich is actually a gift from the Queen for their wedding, in solid silver with the coat of arms of Scotland on one side, the coat of arms of England on the other side, engraved with a beautiful J & D and the date of their wedding underneath.
Then they exit the Registration Office wedding room hand in hand with the song: "Happy" by Pharell Williams playing in the background.
All the guests gathered in front of the registration office and instead of throwing rice, they blow soap bubbles in the direction of the bride and groom. That provides very lovely pictures as they kiss passionately surrounded by the soap bubbles and also a lot of laughs- adults becoming children again for 10 minutes!
And then starts the Wedding Walk - the formal march taken by the wedding party to the church which is very close to the Registration Office. Preceded by a piper or fiddler, the bridegroom leads the maid of honour while the bride walks behind with the best man. After the ceremony, the newlyweds leave the church followed by the best man escorted by the maid of honour.
The guests are gathering in Paisley Abbey and then David enters the Church with his mum on his arm.
David is waiting for Julia down the aisle and is feeling very emotional to be in this Abbey in particular, where he was attending the Sunday mass every week with his whole family, and now Julia is part of his family.
The organ starts playing "the Bridal March" from Richard Wagner and Julia is walking down the aisle with her mum on her arm. David looks at her again mesmerized and can't avoid a happy tear to fall.
The minister (the Very Reverend Alan Birss) is waiting for Julia to reach David who can't refrain himself to take both of her hands and to kiss her chuckles.
The minister starts the ceremony:
"We are gathered here in the presence of God, family and friends to unite Julia Elisabeth Montague and David Stinnys Budd in holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, and is therefore not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, advisedly, soberly and with God's blessing. Today, they will receive God's greatest gift; another person to share with, grow with, change with, be joyful with and to stand with as one when trials and tribulations enter their lives. It is fitting, therefore, that we should on this occasion begin by asking for God's blessing on this marriage. Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with loving relationships such as Julia and David's, and we give thanks for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts. Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit. Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish. In your loving arms we pray, Amen.
You may all be seated"
"Marriage is a joyous occasion. It is connected in our thoughts with the charm of love, the warmth of home, and with all that is pleasant, as being one of the most important events of our lives. Its sacredness and unity is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations.
Julia and David, let me charge you both to remember that your future happiness is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence and affection. It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that your love pledged today must remain undivided for a lifetime.
It is your duty, David, to be to Julia, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.
It is your duty, Julia, to be to David, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to give to him the unfailing evidences of your affection; to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.
I call your attention to the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. The vows you are about to take are not to be taken without careful thought, for in them you are committing yourselves exclusively to one another for as long as you both shall live.
If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties before God, as I have defined them, you will unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other.
Julia and David please join hands and face each other so that you can look into each other's eyes and see the beauty of what is about to happen"
Ella & Charlie walk together with the rings attached to a heart shaped white satin cushion.
"Ella, please hand this ring to your Dad to give to Julia"
David takes Julia's ring and places it on her finger and says:
"I, David Stinnys Budd take you Julia Elisabeth Montague, to be my wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special, holy day, I affirm to you in the presence of God, our family and friends my sacred promise to stay by your side in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, protect and cherish you for as long as we both shall live. You were, are and always be my choice, every day until death do us part. Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is made of a permanent metal and diamonds, my commitment to you is forever. With this ring, I thee wed" and David puts the platinum wedding ring paved with diamonds on her ring finger, looking at Julia intensely, straight in her eyes, takes her both hands in his and kisses them on her wedding band.
"Charlie, please hand this ring to Julia to give to your Dad"
Julia takes David's ring and places it on his finger and repeats:
"I, Julia Elisabeth Montague, take you David Stinnys Budd, to be my husband, my constant friend, my partner in life and my one true love, in the presence of God, our family & our friends. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live. You were, are and always be my choice, every day until death do us part. Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is made of a permanent metal, my commitment to you is forever. With this ring, I thee wed" and Julia puts the classical platinum wedding ring on his ring finger, looking at David intensely, straight in her eyes, takes her both hands in his and kisses them on his wedding band.
David's sister is now making her way to the lectern and starts her reading
"Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love"
The reverend is now finalizing the ceremony:
"Eternal God, help Julia and David to fulfill the promises they have made here today and to reflect your steadfast love in their commitment to each other. Give them kindness and patience, affection and understanding, happiness and contentment. May their family and friends continue to support them in difficult days, so that their love for each other may continue to grow as long as they both shall live.
Let us all pray."
"Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On Earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
And the power, and the glory,
Forever and ever.
Amen."
"Julia and David, having witnessed your vows for marriage before God and all who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!"
Julia & David hug each other tightly and kiss deeply in front of everybody.
He murmurs in her ears: "Our Choice. Always and Forever"
She murmurs back in his ears: "Our Choice. Always and Forever"
It is my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time Mr & Mrs Budd.
They walk out the Abbey, arm in arm, smiling broadly and holding on tight to each other with the organ playing "the Wedding March" by Mendelssohn
At the exit of the church, David throw coins to the children present in order to ensure the good fortune of his marriage.
They pause for some pictures together, with their parents, with Ella & Charlie, with their witnesses and then they all embark in the cars and drive to Finlaystone House for the celebration of their wedding.
"How do you feel Mrs Budd?"
"Ecstatic"
"And how do you feel my beloved husband?"
"Over the moon"
They kiss lovingly in the car, for several minutes and enjoy their first minutes as husband & wife. Of course, they are not like any other newlyweds and there is an impressive (but discrete) security team protecting them. Police cars & motorbikes are leading the way in front of her ministerial car and some are behind it, but today Julia doesn't feel like the Prime Minister, she is just Julia, a woman in love.