When she was a tenyearold girl, Ethel went with her parents to a cousins wedding in a small town in Yorkshire. At first everything seemed fascinating, but soon she watched the bride and groom sit exhausted at the long table, faces ashen, not even managing a smile while the guests leapt up, sang, danced and shrieked bitter! at the top of their lungs.
The noise wore Ethel out. Even at that tender age she decided shed never want a wedding like that. She felt sorry for the tired pair.
If I ever get married maybe Id rather skip it altogether, she muttered.
Years passed, Ethel grew up, and when she met James she forgot all those childhood doubts. Being near him made the world melt away it was just him and her.
How wonderful it is to have someone who gets you from half a word or even a halfglance, she would think each night as she tucked herself in. Good thing I found James.
Ethel knew she loved James; she recognised it as love. She adored his devotion, the way he adored her and gently brushed away any stray worries.
Our relationship is built on trust, she told her friend Clare, and theres a complete understanding between us. What I love most is how he respects my opinions, even when they clash with his.
Clare laughed, Youre lucky, Ethel full mutual understanding is a rare find. Tom and I are a different story; we each have our quirks and cant seem to compromise. Imagine the drama! I still dont know if I want to marry him.
Ethel shrugged, Youll figure it out in time. No rush to pop the question now.
Clare sighed, Right, my mum warns me not to hurry. She doesnt like Tom at all.
James and Ethel understood each other so well that signing up at the local register office felt as natural as breathing.
Ethel, I think its time we tied the knot, James said one evening as he walked her home. What do you think?
She replied, Im all for it, but Im not keen on a massive guest list. I remember that childhood wedding and decided then I never wanted that sort of chaos.
James chuckled, Fair enough. But why worry? Maybe ours will be different.
Honestly, James, I want a wedding for just the two of us. No screaming, no shouting.
James smirked, Im not a fan of crowds either. Off to bed then, well talk tomorrow. He gave her a gentle nudge toward the front door.
Sleep eluded Ethel. She really didnt want a noisy celebration. At twentysix, with James two years older, they were no longer the carefree twentysomethings they once were. After work one evening they met at a café to revisit the topic.
James, Im leaning toward a ceremony for just the two of us, Ethel said.
James feigned awe, Two, how romantic! Imagine a grand restaurant hall, tables set, just the two of us. You in a white gown, me in a tailcoat, candles flickering, soft music playing Wed pop champagne and toast each other.
Ethel rolled her eyes, Im serious, James. A private wedding. But how will we explain that to our parents?
James sighed, My family will raise a fuss the only son, theyll expect a proper do. And youre the only daughter, after all.
Thats exactly why we should decide for ourselves, Ethel snapped, Our lives, our choice.
James shrugged, Tradition, you know.
I dont need tradition. Id love to wed in a hidden chapel up in the Lake District, just us, maybe even get married again later if we feel like it, Ethel mused dreamily.
James laughed, Wed be the first to get married twice!
Seriously, Ethel said, Just sign the papers and off we go on a honeymoon, and thatll be it.
James corrected, A honeymoon isnt a wedding, love.
Ethel quipped, Fine, a wedding for two then. Ill wear a white dress, youll wear a tailcoat. Picture this: Im lifted onto a yacht, youre my dashing captain.
James grinned, What else are you dreaming up?
A week later they slipped the register office forms in under their parents noses. Two months remained before the big day, though they still hadnt nailed the details. They hoped the time would bring clarity.
One rainy evening they were lounging in Jamess flat, reluctant to go out.
Hello, lovebirds, called out Martha, Jamess mother, popping her head in. What are you celebrating? I heard talk of champagne.
James replied, Just the third anniversary of us meeting.
Martha raised an eyebrow, I thought you were getting married youre always meeting each other. She smiled knowingly. I heard youve already lodged the paperwork.
James asked, How do you always know everything?
Martha teased, I run this town, dear.
Ethel spoke up, Weve indeed applied to get married, now were just figuring out the ceremony.
Martha declared, Leave the planning to us. You just buy the dress, the rings and Jamess tux.
James whispered, We dont want a lavish event, just the two of us.
Martha snapped, A wedding is a wedding. No compromises.
Just then George, Jamess father, entered cheerfully, Did I miss the wedding talk? Ah, finally the kids are doing something proper.
James admitted, We want a twoperson ceremony.
George boomed, Thats not how we do things. Our son is the only heir, we need guests, a proper restaurant, the works.
James protested, Why should we follow your wishes and not ours?
George cut him off, Because and stormed out.
When James walked Ethel to the door, he said, Now its your turn to break the news to your folks.
She replied, Theyll say the same thing youll hear.
At home, Ethels mother, Martha, was visibly upset.
Mum, whats wrong? Ethel asked, alarmed. Your heart again?
Martha sighed, Not my heart, my soul this time. Anna called, saying youve applied in secret. A wedding for two? Really?
Ethel sighed, I hoped youd support us, but
George entered, Tradition must be upheld. Youre not the first to marry, nor the last.
Ethel begged, I dont want to ruin the most important day of my life.
George replied, It will be fine, nothing will be ruined.
Ethel insisted, I want a wedding for two and a yacht.
George chuckled, Whos against that? Youll get a yacht and a honeymoon after the proper ceremony.
Ethel finally saw the point: the parents would have their way, with dozens of guests and all the usual pomp. No one was backing their minimalist plan. When James told his mate Sergey about the twoperson idea, Sergey shrugged, I thought youd have a proper night out.
James sighed, Our parents will decide. Sergey patted his shoulder, Thats how it goes.
With only a few weeks left, the parents fussed over flowers white or pink? and a guest list of about two hundred.
Ethel and James stared at each other, mouths agape at the sheer number.
James muttered, We hoped for something small.
George reassured, Dont worry, well handle everything. Well book the wedding and drop you at the airport the next morning for the seaside, just the two of you.
The ceremony took place in a beautifully decorated restaurant hall, white roses everywhere. As Ethel stepped out of the lift in her immaculate white dress, James waited in his tailcoat, looking every bit the dashing groom. The buzz of the party swirled around her, and she felt a surge of joy.
This chaos is oddly delightful, she thought, spotting family, friends and all the familiar faces.
The reception was lively, with everyone shouting bitter! and wishing them happiness. Ethel was radiant, and James beamed if she was happy, he was too.
Later, as they boarded a plane for their honeymoon, James whispered, That was quick and wonderful.
And with that, they set off, ready for whatever the next chapter held.
