This week’s post is in celebration of the marriage of my dear friend Ellie to her kind-hearted Husband Rory. The ceremony took place yesterday, 18th May 2019 in Criccieth, which is a beautiful part of North Wales.


For me the day started with a mad dash mammoth drive all the way down to the venue, it was like a scene from a romcom, I literally abandoned my car in the car park and ran across the lawn to where the ceremony was taking place arriving with only minutes to spare. But I wasn’t going to miss it for anything and was so proud to be a part of her big day. It was an honour to sing as part of their wedding celebrations and I wish them both many happy years to come.

I’ve known Ellie from childhood when we used to be sparring partners at Karate together. Over the years we entered and won national Karate competitions together and completed both our 1st and 2nd Dan Black Belts before I had to leave to take up my training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. It took over ten years of hard work, determination, and perseverance to complete all of our gradings (exams) but we had lots of fun along the way.

She was my rock, in and outside of the dojo. A friend to turn to at times in need and continues to be! She has time for everyone and always thinks of others before herself as her father said in his heart-warming speech during the celebrations.
Jess, Ellie’s sister & Me. Jess is also a Karate Queen
To close tonight I would like to ask if you have any words of wisdom or sound advice that the happy couple may like to read here on my blog post?
Salute to the young couple! May God always bless their love.
Lovely message Annette, thank you.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Wise words? Congratulations and best wishes, yes. Wise words? Stay each other’s best friends, and always be honest with yourselves.
Great advice Martin I would hope they never stop being friends and they remember to make time for each other.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Charlotte.
Thank you John, it was lovely sharing in their happiness.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
😊
Congratulation to Elli and Rory. They are a handsome couple. Blessings for a long and happy marriage. That is so cool how you grew up together and went through karate together. Impressive for both of you. It’s tough to attain black belts.
Handsome couple and lovely people. Ellie always keeps in touch with me and understands my schedules and crazy lifestyle. We used to grade together often as partners, her Mum actually runs the club now so it was always a family karate class. Black belt gradings are terrifying especially when your Sensai says “I’ve never had a failure yet, don’t be my first” lol.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Super !
The clouds were a little turbid 😊 for a short while and I thought it might rain during my journey but the sun shined through for the outdoor ceremony.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
😘
Congratulations to your friends Charlotte..
Looks like everyone had a lovely day.💏
We certainly did. It was fabulous catching up with all of Ellie’s family and friends again. I’m just so releaved I made it on time.
Best wishes
Charlotte
never go to bed in an argument. Stay up and fight until it’s settled.
That is good advice but night time arguments aren’t great just before you try to get to sleep and you’re tired. I’d say saying something nice to each other before you go to sleep would be better than fighting.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
perhaps saying, i love you, no matter what can save the night. 🙂
Congratulations to them both.
Advice from experience of some 55 years of happy marriage? To work and play together wherever possible, and to let active senses of humour let them know how absurd any arguments actually are.
First of all congratulations on 55 years of happy marriage that’s just brilliant. I like ‘to let active senses of humour’ its good to laugh and see the funny side of troubles.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you.
Weddings in England seem so much more of an affair than here.
Yes they are sometimes a big fanfare and sometimes just a small registry office and a few best friends for a quiet meal together. Ellie and her family must have spent months and months planning and creating such a lovely day, but the most important ingredient of the day for me was happiness.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely photos Charlotte. Congratulations to Ellie and Rory xx
I was just shoving my phone into people’s hands and asking them to take pictures for me to remember the day and I’m hoping to grab some more from facebook for my scrapbook.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
What a lovely wedding! No words of wisdom, just wishes for a long and happy marriage.
Thank you Nanette I can think of no best wishes.
All of my best wishes to you,
Charlotte
Very nice pic God bless her
Thank you Amritpal 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congrats to the couple
Advice
1) they say men try to solve problems too quickly when women need to first vent – so Keep this in mind – there are times to solve and find the solution – other times we need to feel and process a bit
2) keep laughing and find ways to maintain the bond you have early on –
3) don’t travel too much for work – sounds obvious but too much time away can pull from daily touching and small parts of life – sadly we see money or power clouds the judgement – choose “us” over the huge bank accounts
4) sex is the “super glue” that keeps couples refreshed – and so monitor your sex life connection – issues outside the bedroom will trickle into the bedroom – and so guard this “shared” intimacy with the care it deserves – and it will serve you well –
Oh and
beware of the porn (which can rob you of so much – ) snd beware of ” taking care of your own needs” too much because you will come to dinner “full” and then not be s me to have the refreshing meal together – and that can pull from intimacy /
Best wishes and your wedding looked spectacular!
Thank you for offering your advice I’ll forward it on to Ellie and Rory 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks and hope it was not too raw😊
Hope you are having a nice holiday weekend
Dear Charlotte,
I am happy for you that you made it to your best friend’s wedding. What a joy to have a friend like that it is soon going to be your turn keep the faith my Beloved.
Weddings are always great for getting everyone together and meeting new partners and old friends. Getting all dressed up and seeing all the creative ideas Ellie and her family had was great and there is so much excitement.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Wow !!!! congratulations and best toughts to the married. Very nice share – Thanks Charlotte – Le secret d’un mariage c’est : l’Amour !!!
Meilleurs pensée pour Toi et très belle semaine !!!
L’amour, amitié et honnêteté 😊.
Meilleurs pensée pour Toi aussi.
Charlotte
You are 50/50 partners who must remember never to take each other for granted. (which is easy when you come back down to earth and enter day-to-day life.) Listening and supporting is all part of the same package.
Fabulous advice, it is hard not to take people for granted the longer you know them and its an important message to remember. I’m a good listener but don’t always hear the right message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a lovely tribute to your friend on her wedding! And a fantastic spot (and weather) for te event. My advice to the couple laugh together every day and never go to bed angry with each other.
As I was driving along the storm clouds seemed to be gathering and I thought oh ohh as I knew the ceremony was taking place outdoors. The sun burst through in the end. That’s twice I’ve read don’t go to bed angry with each other I will definitely pass that one on.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations to them!
Many thanks 😊.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations to Ellie and Rory and best wishes for a long and happy marriage. Congratulations to you, too for managing to get to the wedding on time!
I know! I really should give myself more time, those country roads and big sections with roadworks now caught me out I thought I’d have at least 30 minutes spare when my satnav ended in the middle of nowhere saying “you have reached your destination” I thought “what it’s a tree!” I think one of the guests thought I was the get away driver when I rushed into the car park and ran across the lawn.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Haha! I have been late a few times recently because of roadworks and strange diversions. 🙂
Beautiful pictures!
Thank you 😊
All my best wishes
Charlotte
L’expérience nous montre qu’aimer ce n’est point nous regarder l’un l’autre mais regarder ensemble dans la même direction.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Terre des Hommes
Experience shows us that to love is not to look at each other but to look together in the same direction.
All the best for the young couple
Good advice, sharing goals, values, dreams it’s all essential.
Thank you for your best wishes,
All of mine in return,
Charlotte
Beautiful wedding!!
I thought so too. Sharing in their happiness was just beautiful.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Absolutely agree, Charlotte! ✨
Congratulations to the couple and all!
No matter what happens, always be kind to each other.