Tucked away behind the print was a large photograph taken in the late 1980s
It was a photograph of a groom and his best man each with each other's hats on.
Laurel and Hardy comes to mind.
I am Stan Laurel.
It was the only fun thing in that wedding as I recall.
The photo holds a great deal of memories for me. Many good -a few bittersweet
Bittersweet, as the photographer who snapped it ( who was also a close friend) was killed in a plane crash only a few months later!
And slightly bittersweet that my friend, the groom more or less lost touch with me over the years as some friendships envairably do
I sent him a copy of the above photo yesterday on Facebook and he replied to my message with a " bloody hell look at us !" Kind of way. The photo I am sure was bittersweet for him as well ,as his marriage failed not long after as we all knew it would.
I have been to quite a few weddings in the past few years when everyone knows it will not last. It is usually a case of the bride wanting a big, eff-off wedding do.
ReplyDeleteLeaving aside your continued fascination with and distracted by, how did you say the other day, "an arse in a tight skirt" you don't like women much, do you, Tom?
DeleteU
The last line was a direct reference to my step-daughter, who I like very much, actually. I would go so far to say that I love her, and have loved her since she was a child dreaming of her big, eff-off wedding day. She had to wait 45 years for the event, but she got it.
Deletenot always the bride...sometimes family pressure....
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DeleteI love that photo! Perhaps you should write the details of this blog post on the back of it? It would be an interesting find for someone in the future. :)
ReplyDeleteYes it was an interesting story., which included a vapid bride, and a bishop
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ReplyDeleteThe then groom is now wistfully thinking "That (was) another fine mess....."
DeleteMade me chuckle, a great way to start the day
DeleteThanks to JayGee for providing the oppo, T.
DeleteBroadstairs in 1989? But isn't that where Chris is from? Was it just coincidence or did you bump into Chris at the wedding?
ReplyDeleteThe wedding was in The midlands the print covering this photo was of Broadstairs
DeleteKeep up that man in the back
Sorry Mr Gray! I was looking out of the window at the netball match.
DeleteHaha, not teacher's pet today then !!
DeleteGreat photo, John. As so many groom and best man shots are. Only the British ...
ReplyDeleteOf course, everyone always "knows" - on the day. Bull. The most unlikely matches may last. Unlike the PERFECT couple. You know, the match made in heaven. The one where no one predicts anything other than the happiest of happy. Where rose petals fall from the sky and not a doubt on anyone's horizon. I remember a particular occasion when I went round family and friends consoling them as, some years down the line, they found their perceived reality shattered. I had kept it from them over the whole of December, Christmas and New Year's Eve as not to spoil the festivities. January (5th) started with a bang.
As they say "Each marriage has its secret", as, often, does the reason for breaking up.
U
That's sounds like a story worth hearing
DeleteThese photos evoke so many feelings... as if no time had passed. Glad you were able to connect again with this friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he remarried and is happy
DeleteBittersweet indeed John. There was no need to tell us which one was you - you are totally recognisable from the lower half of your face.
ReplyDeleteThe. One with " learning difficulties"
DeleteA fun day all round then.
ReplyDeleteWhat larks pip
Deleteyep, laurel & hardy!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun photo John... I was married in 1989 too... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteWe don't really "know", do we? Your snap recalled a formal wedding I attended as a reluctant guest of the groom (who had few friends and fewer kin). The bride's father sobbed loudly throughout the ceremony, which lasted longer than usual because the priest delivered a 10-minute homily on fidelity. The couple recently celebrated their silver anniversary...
ReplyDeleteWe never know anyone until we follow them home
Delete'The bigger the wedding the quicker the divorce.'
ReplyDeleteGreat photo, John. I once played Stan Laurel too.
We only had 28 guests at ours
DeleteThe photo is a great connection for you & your photographer friend forever x
ReplyDeleteI still miss his zest for life..his name was ian parry and he was on the way to make himself a real name in journalistic photography . He was only 24 when he died
DeleteIn my experience the groom often enjoys playing dress up as much as the bride.
ReplyDeleteDo tell
DeleteThe husband of one of my best friends asked me out. It was several years after the divorce before I could tell her. We still speak.
ReplyDeleteLovely picture!
Debbie
Whoops
DeleteOld photos are so often bittersweet, I find that too.
ReplyDeleteBreaking up is hard to do, and perhaps that's why the added burden of marriage is so often omitted. Interesting new phenomena in relationships.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure no one thought that our marriage would last. We were so young....20 and 23.... and complete opposites. Bad boy and good Catholic girl. But he makes me laugh and I settle him down. We’ve had a happy and blessed life...not without its trials...but we are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary a week from today. So sometimes these things do work out to everyone’s surprise.
ReplyDeleteI love photographs, true moments in time captured forever.
ReplyDeleteMe and my Mum were looking through old photos for hours one day last week. Happy memories, sad memories but all telling the stories of the days of our lives ... memories worth having.
I wonder how many people's wedding photos bring about mixed emotions?
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at mine I see my best man and it saddens me that we were such close friends but years later we drifted apart and now have no contact at all.
Top hats circa 1989 to charabanc circa 2015... know which wedding I would rather have been to.
ReplyDeleteHi John, your reply to my comment yesterday really made me smile, you charmer you! ☺ It was a lovely start to my day. Cathy.
ReplyDeleteLove reading your blog, always makes me smile! Xx
ReplyDeleteOld photos are fascinating. Even 1989 "old"! A moment frozen in time, but the memories can run deep.
ReplyDeleteI love old wedding photos, me and him were married in the 80s. Huge puffy dress- me. Over sized shawl collar suit jacket with a leather tie- him. Pure style icons at the time. Our kids are amazed that the photos are in colour! x
ReplyDeleteI love all old photos, but especially wedding ones. When I look back at mine I see someone who was so naive she thought the world was full of love... bittersweet for sure... I soon found out it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland, NZ
Brilliant, I think it's more Morecambe and Wise.
ReplyDeleteWeddings... ahh seems they are always controversial to someone. Friendship - sometimes very special.. sometimes disappointing but I like the saying that goes something like "People come into your life for a reason; a season or forever" ... seems true enough!
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