Mickleham wedding – Shizuka & Greg

 

Mickleham village wedding

The picturesque Surrey village of Mickleham, next to Box Hill, was the location for Shizuka and Greg’s wedding last weekend. I say ‘wedding’, it was actually a blessing in St Michael’s church, as they had a civil wedding in Switzerland,where they live, last December. But in Greg’s initial email to me he explained that there was a reason that this place was important. ” …due to strong personal feelings we chose to have the wedding at the 900 year old Mickleham village church and the reception at the 550 year old coaching inn, The Running Horses, directly opposite. Both places kept me going through an extremely difficult period in my life and showed me so much friendship that although we could have gone for big and fancy we have chosen small and meaningful.”

It was just that. The sun shone, the sky was a deep blue, but the real warmth was that they were surrounded by family and close friends. ( You only get that sort of banter, heckling and insult trading with your very best, old mates 🙂 )

The day began early, at 8.30am, at Wotton House hotel, where their five month old son, Josh, was patiently watching his mother get ready. Next door, Andy, one of two best men ( and old schoolmate ) was helping Greg get ready and into his kilt – as well as arranging for someone to get the right size socks, when Greg found a too small pair in his luggage. Andy had joked earlier that he wasn’t really an old friend but that Greg had hired him as a professional best man. Having seen many best men operate over the years, he’s got an alternative career path there! 😉 Waiting outside in the sunshine, was a fleet of vintage cars, there to transport the bridal party and friends the short distance across Dorking to the church. The ceremony was enhanced with music by Shizuka’s father, a famous cellist.

Wedding reception in the village pub

After the ceremony, it was across the road (a reception venue can’t get any closer to a church probably) to the old coaching inn. Drinks and snacks in the garden bit at the front of the pub, next to the resting walkers and cyclists. Then into the restaurant for the wedding meal and speeches.

Here are a few images from the day in Mickleham…