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Thursday 30 August 2012

A Wedding and Signing

I went to a friend's wedding this evening and it was so much fun. There were only 30 of us in the Church, but as every Bride does, this one looked absolutely gorgeous.


Apologies, I didn't have my proper camera so my photos really don't do all the beautiful dresses justice. The happy couples combined four girls looked stunning as the Bridesmaids and their son was the steal of the show in his mini Kilt to match his Dad's.

It was definitely a Wedding with a difference, so relaxed, and definitely the first time our Minister has ever stood up front and done all the actions to "God made the Chickens and the Cows and the Bees", hopping around on stage like a Kangeroo at a Wedding. And probably the last time, he'll get that song requested, too.

My only sadness at the Wedding was my inability to communicate properly with the Bride's Sister and Brother in Law, both of whom are profoundly deaf. Anyone who read my little info bits on my recent award, will know I would love to learn BSL (British Sign Language) and that desire was never so prominent as it was tonight. In fairness to them both, they are both excellent lip-readers, but somehow that makes me feel more guilty. It's feels like not only are they deaf, but they have to find a way to adapt to us, when we should surely be making the effort to adapt for them. It strikes me as similar to the way in which we Brits are so poor at learning languages because "surely 'they' should all learn to speak English". I've heard that so often from the older generation in my family and it makes me mad. We no longer rule the Empire, you know, and even when we did, we didn't make a brilliant job of it. 

I tried my best to "chat" with them as not many others were, but I felt a bit of a chump, trying to mime things they couldn't get and would have loved to be able to include them in a way that was best for them, not me. Resolved to find a way to learn, if that's possible without any expense, as Bank Manager now not speaking to us!!

May all God's Blessings surround the happy couple and their family as they go forward as man and wife.

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

6 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great wedding! Especially with the minister doing the actions. You are so right about the way deaf people are treated.
    I am sure there are places where you can learn BSL at minimal cost. Check out this group http://www.signsofgod.org.uk/ - I met some of them at the Christian Resources exhibition and they were really super people.

    God bless the bride - and all the family !!

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  2. lovely pictures am trying to imaginwe a minister doing actions lol going back to my days in the church choir when the choir mistress used to shout at us for doing any actions as we sang...... lol or giggling in the pews when I realised that a groom had writing on the sole of his shoe one said 'help' the other 'me' :-D

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  3. What a lovely looking wedding, the family all look so radiant & just lovely.
    Good on you for attempting to communicate with the hearing impaired guests. I know that chump feeling too, but I reckon they would have been pleased that you made an effort where others haven't. I know people like this too & it is hard. Actually we employ someone who has difficulties & I always have to watch what I say(!) just incase he is lip reading me :0 Sx

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  4. How beautiful do they all look and so incredibly happy too. It sound a very intimate wedding which is how it should be in my opinion. Showing your love in front of your loved ones and god. My father in law did our service (he's a minister) and spoke about it being one of the happiest days, almost as good as when aston Villa won the cup!

    I know what you mean about sign language. We actually pay for people to attend courses, but can only afford to send a few and not as many as we should really.

    X x

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  5. Lovely post, lovely photo. It sounded like a perfect wedding x I hope you are successful in your quest. The world would be a much better place if we had more Arwedd's in it.

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