When I was a kid, little Lucy went with her parents to her aunts wedding in a village near Oxford. At first it seemed all right, but then she saw the bride and groom, exhausted from endless shouting of bitter! while they sat stiffly at the table with no smiles. All around, the guests were up on their feet, dancing, singing and laughing loud as anyone at a pub on a Saturday night.
The noise wore Lucy out, and even though she was only ten, she swore shed never have a wedding like that. She felt sorry for the tired couple.
If I ever get married maybe I wont even bother at all, she muttered.
Years went by, Lucy grew up, and when she met Mark, all thoughts of a grand ceremony slipped away. Being with him made her forget everything else it was just the two of them, like two peas in a pod.
How wonderful it is to have someone who gets you with half a word, or even a glance, she would tell herself as she curled up at night. Im lucky to have found Mark.
Lucy knew she loved him, and she realised that love was exactly that a quiet, steady thing. She adored him for his loyalty, the way hed brush the dust off her shoulders and how he adored her without fail.
Mark and I have total trust, she told her friend Emma over tea, and we just click. What I love most is how he respects my opinion, even when it clashes with his.
Emma laughed, Youre so lucky, Lucy. Fullon understanding is rare. Harry and I are a different story we both have our quirks and cant seem to give an inch. Im still not sure whether I want to marry him or not.
Give it time, Lucy replied, youll sort it out when the moment feels right.
Emma sighed, My mum says not to rush, and shes not a fan of Harry anyway.
When Mark walked Lucy home one evening, he stopped by the gate and said, Lucy, I think its time we got married. What do you think?
She smiled, Im on board I just dont want a massive guest list. Remember that wedding I went to as a child? I decided then Id never have something like that.
Mark chuckled, Thats fine. We can keep it simple if you like.
Id love a ceremony just for the two of us, Lucy said, no shouting, no chaos.
Honestly, Im not a fan of big crowds either, Mark replied. Go get some rest, well talk tomorrow.
That night Lucy tossed and turned. She was twentysix; Mark was twentyeight, and they were both old enough to think beyond teenage fantasies. After work they met at a café and returned to the topic.
Mark, Im leaning toward a wedding for just the two of us, she said.
Two people only? How romantic! he laughed. Picture this: a big hall, tables set, just you in a white dress and me in a tux, candles flickering, soft music playing we sip champagne and toast each other.
Lucy shook her head, Im serious, Mark. A private wedding how do we explain that to our families? My parents have only one son, yours only one daughter. Theyll expect a proper celebration.
Mark sighed, Traditions, Lucy. Theyre a hard habit to break.
I dont need traditions, Lucy replied, a hint of frustration in her voice. Id love to get married in a little chapel up in the Lake District, just us, maybe a handful of friends.
Whoa, a chapel and a vow ceremony? Mark was surprised. Thats a dream.
Exactly, Lucy said, eyes sparkling. Or at least we could register, have a tiny reception, and then slip away on a yacht.
Mark grinned, Alright, a twoperson wedding it is. Well tell the folks well have a simple civil ceremony, then a little getaway. Ill wear the tux, you can wear whatever you like even a jeansandtshirt if you want but I get the feeling the parents will push back.
No jeans, please, Lucy laughed. I want a proper white dress and you in a tux. Imagine us at the registry, you scooping me up and whisking me onto a yacht
Sounds like a film, Mark joked.
A week later they slipped the paperwork into the local register office in Manchester, hoping two months would be enough to sort out the details. That evening they were holed up in Marks flat, rain pattering against the windows.
Hey, lovebirds, called Margaret, Marks mum, popping her head in. What are you celebrating? I heard something about champagne.
Were marking three years since we met, Mark replied, smiling.
Ah, I thought you were getting married, Margaret said, eyes twinkling. And look, youve already filed the paperwork, I see.
Mom, where do you get all this info? Mark asked, amused.
Ive got my ear to the ground in this town, she replied cheerily.
Lucy spoke up, Weve filed for marriage, but were still figuring out the wedding.
Dont worry about that, Margaret declared. Well handle the wedding. You just buy the dress, the rings, and a suit for Mark.
Marks dad, George, entered with a grin. Did I miss the wedding talk again? Finally, you lot are doing something!
Lucy explained, We want a tiny ceremony, just us.
Georges eyebrows shot up. Thats not how its done. Well have a proper reception in a nice restaurant, guests and all.
Mark snapped, Why should we follow your plan if its not what we want?
George cut him off, Because its tradition, and walked out.
Later, as Mark escorted Lucy to her room, he said, Now youve got to break the news to your parents. Lets see what they say.
Lucys mother, Margaret, met her at the door, looking worried. Whats wrong, love? Heart trouble again?
No, mum, its my soul, Lucy joked. Anna just called, said you dont want a wedding and youve already registered us behind our backs. A twoperson ceremony?
Exactly, Margaret said, sighing. Were not the first to marry, nor will we be the last.
I dont want my special day turned into a circus, Lucy whispered.
George entered, booming, Well have a proper wedding, a reception for two hundred guests, then a honeymoon on a yacht. Youll have your little ceremony after that, but the main events set.
Lucy realised Mark was right the parents would push their customs, and nobody was backing their quiet plan. When Mark told his mate Sergei about their wish for an intimate celebration, Sergei shook his head, I thought youd have a proper party.
Its not set yet, Mark replied, the parents are taking charge.
As the wedding day drew nearer, the family fussed over flowers white or pink and confirmed a guest list of about two hundred. Mark whispered, We were hoping for a small affair.
Dont worry, George assured, well sort it all. Well whisk you off to the airport the next morning and youll be on the coast, just the two of you.
The ceremony took place in a beautifully decorated hall at a restaurant in Manchester, white roses everywhere, the usual clamor of bitter! echoing through the room. Lucy stepped out of the lift in a stunning white dress, Mark looking dashing in his tux, and the whole place buzzed with merriment.
Lucy caught herself thinking, I love this buzz all my family, friends, and mates are here. She smiled, feeling genuinely happy, and Mark was thrilled too; her joy meant his.
Later, as they boarded a flight back home, Lucy sighed, That was fast and wonderful. And thats how, after a lot of family tugofwar, they finally tied the knot a proper English wedding with all the trimmings, but with a promise of a quiet getaway for just the two of them afterward.
