My best friend's wedding

My best friend married the love of his life today.

I have never felt so privileged to be a part of something so special. From the start of the day where we rolled circular tables across the floor, dressed them and prepared the napkins to walking down the stairs and aisle with my best friend’s 14-year old daughter on my arm with the bride and groom following closely behind as smiling friends and family looked on, I have felt so lucky.

My face hurts from smiling and laughing so much*. The love that my best friend and his wife have for each other is truly infectious (totally vaccine proof) and you could see it spreading around the room. Small children ran round and the epitome of a family wedding was embodied by a small boy bedecked in waistcoat and bow tie running across the dance floor - the only thing missing was an epic knee slide.

The Best Woman delivered a truly brilliant and heart-felt speech, which was a little daunting to follow. Fortunately, I was armed with words I had first prepared over a year ago and proceeded to gently roast the groom whilst applying some flambé to the bride. I think I stayed the right side of appropriate as I was allowed to remain for the food which followed the speeches and received a few pats on the back and general congratulations.

Old friends were hugged. New friends were made. We ate. We drank. We laughed. We danced. I taught some youngsters air guitar and rock pouts. We danced some more. Tears stung my eyes at the sight of my best friend (who hates dancing) dancing with his daughter to a tune she had been waiting for all night. We watched as the bride and groom slow danced to “Dream a Little Dream” and then with my best friend’s daughter escorting me onto the dance floor we joined in for the last dance and I spun her around the dance floor.

As the lights were flickered on at the end of the evening, we made our way through the venue and laughed like loons as my best friend’s daughter pretended to play the self-playing piano.

Finally, everyone made their way up to their rooms. The groom asked me why I was holding back and I replied that I was going to make out with the beefy security guard, but the truth was that I was making up for being a terrible best man for him on a prior occasion and I was damned if I wasn’t going to be the last person standing this time.

I can’t remember when I last felt such an all-consuming feeling of love and happiness.

It’s been a rather lovely day.

*for evidence and my outfit, see extras.