Guest Post: Wedding Day Hitches by Sophie King.

Wedding Day Hitches

by Sophie King

Everyone knows they have to turn off their mobile phones during a wedding. Everyone, it seems, apart from the vicar. “I completely forgot,” admitted Susan, who had conducted ‘numerous’ weddings without a hitch until then. “I didn’t even know I had it on me.”

Believe it or not, this is one of many true stories which I discovered when researching my novel THE WEDDING PARTY. The more I looked into it, the more I found that guests really do go to the wrong church/registry office. And wedding rings honestly do get lost by the best man on the way to the ceremony.

Duncan managed to do both. “My best mate gave me the ring the day before, with firm instructions to keep it safe. So I put it in the glove compartment of my car. But my car got stolen during the night. I was in such a state that I gave the wrong address to the taxi which I had to order to get me to the church.”

Meanwhile, the groom was left standing without a ring or a best man. Luckily he had an understanding future father-in-law who stood in – while his future mother-in-law lent her gold band for the occasion. That’s right. The bride got married with her mum’s ring!

Then there were the guests who got food poisoning after the reception. I actually came across quite a few examples – which gave me an idea for the plot. (Although it’s not what you think...)

Another bride, whom I spoke to, broke a heel when tripping up as she went down the aisle. But she calmly took off her shoes and went bare foot. Now that’s what I call cool!

Another didn’t realise that she was busting out of her dress until she saw the wedding pictures. “Why didn’t someone tell me?” she wailed afterwards.

“Because we were too busy staring,” grinned her teenage nephew.

Of course, the worst hitch is if the bride or groom doesn’t turn up. Or is it? “I was distraught when my fiancé didn’t arrive,” said Fiona. “But we went ahead with the reception anyway. The manager was really kind and went out of his way to make me feel better.”

So much so that they are now living together. (Perhaps not surprisingly, Fiona isn’t very keen on going through a formal ceremony.)

Then there was the couple who got married without any problems and arrived safely at the reception – only to find the restaurant had a ‘Closed’ sign. It had gone into liquidation the day before but no one had told them. Instead, they had a picnic in the local park. Everyone said it was one of the best receptions they’d been to. The pictures were great.

It all goes to show that a wedding isn’t a wedding without the photographs. Or is it? A friend of mine was initially distraught when her official pics turned out to be duds. (There was something wrong with the camera.) “We contacted all the guests and asked them to send in the pictures that they’d taken,” she said. “They were far more natural than a posed line up.”

My bride, in THE WEDDING PARTY, finds herself looking at the bright side too – despite more disasters than anyone can imagine. Still, mishaps are part of weddings, aren’t they? Maybe that’s why they call it ‘Getting Hitched”...

NOTE: Some of the names in this post have been changed!



The Wedding Party by Sophie King

Sophie King’s popular romantic comedy is published in a brand new ebook edition. Shortlisted for Love Story of the Year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2010.

’An absorbing, feel-good novel ‒ I really enjoyed it.’ Penny Vincenzi

When Monique and Geoff decide to tie the knot they soon discover that love second time around brings special challenges. And not just for them. There are ups and downs for family, friends, the wedding planner, and even the vicar as the big day approaches.

Geoff’s ex-wife can’t accept that he has moved on. Could a chance meeting help Helen come to the right decision about her future?

Their daughter, Becky, doesn’t approve of her dad’s bride-to-be. But as she juggles motherhood and a high-powered career, will she realise it’s her own marriage that needs most attention?

Janie was sacked from her last job as a wedding planner for being so disorganised. Is she really the right choice to help the happy couple get hitched without a hitch?

Mel swapped a job in advertising for a new life as a vicar. But can she keep her faith after an accident which turns her family’s world upside down?

Family and friends learn that the course of true love never did run smooth, and there really is no such thing as a stress-free wedding. But can they each still find their own happy ever after?


---

You can find The Wedding Party on Amazon here




WIN AN £80 GIFT EXPERIENCE VOUCHER FROM TINGGLY.COM!

To celebrate the publication of "The Wedding Party", thanks to the lovely people at gift experience company Tinggly, we have a voucher worth £80 for any one experience worldwide from their Essential Collection. The ideal present for friends or family who are about to tie the knot!

To be in with a chance, simply email your answer to the following question to sophie@greatstorieswithheart.com by midnight BST on 10th August 2015.

Question: What is the name of Geoff's daughter in "The Wedding Party" by Sophie King?

See the full range at www.tinggly.com. Voucher must be used by 25/6/2017. Entry will be chosen at random. Emails and contents will not be shared with any third party and will be deleted after the competition. Competition run by Wyndham Media Ltd. Judges decision is final. Good luck!