Article Date: Tue 13th Sep 2011
The Queer and Beau Tony Wedding!
Somewhere around 140 people battled through the fog to The Lizard on September 9th 2011 in order to attend what we all knew would be a spectacular wedding for a variety of reasons.
Friday afternoon saw a small army of family and friends dressing the main marquee. Lisa's fine eye for artistic detail led to the creation of table decor simple yet perfect. Pebbles and twigs, paint and paper turned into name markers and trees with birds sitting in and flying around them. From piles and piles of boxes grew a romantic setting while Sienna gurgled her appreciation.
A few yards away four small tents were being equipped. One with an African theme for face painting and music, a shisha pipe temple, a tent for the kids to be shut in and shovelled with E numbers and a mystery tent courtesy of Dieter. The mystery would be revealed after the reception.
As the hours passed more people arrived and adjourned to the local hostelries for food and drink. Word spread that Si was due to appear and we gathered together. Around 11pm he produced a note pad and pen, setting out to write a "to-do" list.
Those of us who know Si well were not at all phased by such, we'd have felt short changed had he not needed to find Lisa's ring, print off the wedding vows (they were on a USB stick and nobody had a printer), sort out transport for various people as the path to the beach isn't easy for the less steady, and generally see to rather a lot of details. Still, this is Si, it'd all go to plan wouldn't it?
By the way Si, what time does the tide come in? Er, um, oh it'll be okay...
The morning came along with some sunshine!
As we gathered in the car park at Kynance Cove it soon became obvious that Si was performing to his usual standard. Where were the people I should be driving down the private road so they could be spared death by cliff fall? Why would nobody answer Jon's walkie talkie requests for a clue as to what was happening? How many times could Si and the ushers say "We have clearance Clarence", "Roger Roger", "What's your vector Victor?".
The bridesmaids arrived and joined me in Si's car as we headed down to the beach. It would have been nice if someone had asked the cafe owner if we could actually use his private road and fill up his limited number of parking spots wouldn't it Si? Still everything was going to plan, if a little late at the beach. Take note.
The guests made their way round the corner to an aisle of white roses in the sand. The staid formality of church weddings was cast aside as the sun shone, the waves crashed into the rocks and everyone relaxed into chatter. Item one of Si's list reared its head at this point with frantic calls for his car keys. Joey was destined to run up to the top car park for the ring but was relieved to only need a small sprint to where I had perched the car.
The arrival of the ring was greeted with a loud cheer followed shortly afterwards by a truly stunning bride accompanied by her smugglers. Lisa joined a terrifically dapper (the shoes, the shoes!) Si for a short yet emotional and happy ceremony interrupted at the vital moment by...the tide! A couple of shuffles later it was all over to a round of applause and further cheering, a theme of the whole weekend really.
From a cave there appeared a champagne and cream tea celebration before everyone relocated back around the corner to avoid being drowned. The beach provided perfect photo opportunities, chat, laughter and rock climbing for the young and adventurous. Visitors to the cafe above (where many of us bought coffee to keep the chap happy) stood taking pictures and commenting on the wonderful occasion. Perfection.
Who says there's no reception down here?
Then came the reception back at the hostel. Merriment and laughter as old friends caught up and new friendships were forged over food and drink. From countries as diverse as Zambia to New Zealand, Sweden and Australia people had travelled. Some even managed the epic adventure from Bristol!
The speeches. Ah yes, his could have gone so so wrong, but it didn't, well almost. Si thanked everyone so nicely and was not at all so phased that he forgot, until reminded, to read the page of his speech mentioning his gorgeous wife!
Best Man Jamie and radio mics are not happy partners and on the advice of his audience spent most of his 7 hour speech facing away in order to get a signal. He pulled a blinder setting up Si in a courtroom scenario with Rolf as the judge. As Si's lifetime of misdemeanors had been well covered in the main speech Jamie then became Si's defence lawyer in an attempt to save him. The jury (the guests) proclaimed Si guilty of all charges and thus to be rendered a soaking from the "Dirty Water" bucket.
After the reception some of us took the chance for a break before the fancy dress party, while others enjoyed the tents of fun, including Dieter's Club Tropicana Spa!
In true Sucksmith tradition one of the boys had to be in drag for the party. For once it was not Si, but Jon who wowed the crowd as he broke free as Freddie Mercury beautifully accessorised with a 1970s Hoover!
Joey Winehouse was far too comfy as a woman, John Travolta and Olivia Newton John looked a little transgender too, the fish finger looked tasty, Teenwolf was accompanied by his own cheerleader, punks roamed and wheeled about, Snow White and Obi Wan fluffed the telescopic light sabre, Dick Dastardly quite simply was, the Venetian masked ball goers added class and Rolf the frogman's clunge lunge into Dieter's "paddling pool of love" was possibly the most disturbing sight of the evening...
Everyone put in a huge effort as the drinks flowed and dance kept at a frantic pace. l do like a fancy dress party and this was truly one to remember. Pictures will be circulating and being tagged/de-tagged for years to come.
By the early hours only a few hardcore dancers were left. The long day had taken its toll on the vast majority who had sidled off to bed, or at least tried to get back to their B&B Jamie.
Operation Cleanup
Peering into the marquee at 10:30am on Sunday was like a look into the Marie Celeste. Parts of costume, items of clothing, a camera on a table, the whole place looked still to be mid-party but with all the guests simply beamed out.
The high winds had seen the end of one of the tents and Club Tropicana had suffered at the hands of the storm.
The cleanup started in the hostel with the lounge being emptied of empties, the monopoly set and other toys gathered and sofas cleared ready for Rolf to be able to power nap later. The food tables were cleared and floor swept. There was now a base to work from.
The team hit the marquee collecting hundreds of glasses, bottles, and whatever else. A truck load of bottles, plastics and waste eventually made its way to the recycling centre. Chairs were stacked, tables cleared and the floor Henried.
As more people surfaced, food was cooked in the kitchen (bit windy for a BBQ), the marquee was being prepared for the next phase and the band arrived. With tables dressed once more and the drinks flowing the band played a great set of Cornish and other folk songs and tunes. The mayhem of the long line making its way round and round the marquee eventually into ever decreasing circles met with cheers and laughter. Time was flying by and as the band finished the Power Hour was announced.
Funnily enough Dieter and Debs were behind this cavalcade of cocktails, some of which I am reasonably confident could add several bhp to the power of most cars. Music, dance and chat continued until it was time for the karaoke to begin.
As I pulled away from the car park to the sound of the murdering of David Bowie's Heroes I took a minute to reflect on what a pleasure it is to know Si and Lisa, to be drawn into their utterly bonkers world of all conquering joyous mayhem and to the families and friends who had no hesitation in pushing themselves to the very limit to make the wedding perfect.
There will be many smiles as people recall this weekend, the antics, the style and the sheer joy.
Indeed Heroes, not just for one day...
Friday afternoon saw a small army of family and friends dressing the main marquee. Lisa's fine eye for artistic detail led to the creation of table decor simple yet perfect. Pebbles and twigs, paint and paper turned into name markers and trees with birds sitting in and flying around them. From piles and piles of boxes grew a romantic setting while Sienna gurgled her appreciation.
A few yards away four small tents were being equipped. One with an African theme for face painting and music, a shisha pipe temple, a tent for the kids to be shut in and shovelled with E numbers and a mystery tent courtesy of Dieter. The mystery would be revealed after the reception.
As the hours passed more people arrived and adjourned to the local hostelries for food and drink. Word spread that Si was due to appear and we gathered together. Around 11pm he produced a note pad and pen, setting out to write a "to-do" list.
Those of us who know Si well were not at all phased by such, we'd have felt short changed had he not needed to find Lisa's ring, print off the wedding vows (they were on a USB stick and nobody had a printer), sort out transport for various people as the path to the beach isn't easy for the less steady, and generally see to rather a lot of details. Still, this is Si, it'd all go to plan wouldn't it?
By the way Si, what time does the tide come in? Er, um, oh it'll be okay...
The morning came along with some sunshine!
As we gathered in the car park at Kynance Cove it soon became obvious that Si was performing to his usual standard. Where were the people I should be driving down the private road so they could be spared death by cliff fall? Why would nobody answer Jon's walkie talkie requests for a clue as to what was happening? How many times could Si and the ushers say "We have clearance Clarence", "Roger Roger", "What's your vector Victor?".
The bridesmaids arrived and joined me in Si's car as we headed down to the beach. It would have been nice if someone had asked the cafe owner if we could actually use his private road and fill up his limited number of parking spots wouldn't it Si? Still everything was going to plan, if a little late at the beach. Take note.
The guests made their way round the corner to an aisle of white roses in the sand. The staid formality of church weddings was cast aside as the sun shone, the waves crashed into the rocks and everyone relaxed into chatter. Item one of Si's list reared its head at this point with frantic calls for his car keys. Joey was destined to run up to the top car park for the ring but was relieved to only need a small sprint to where I had perched the car.
The arrival of the ring was greeted with a loud cheer followed shortly afterwards by a truly stunning bride accompanied by her smugglers. Lisa joined a terrifically dapper (the shoes, the shoes!) Si for a short yet emotional and happy ceremony interrupted at the vital moment by...the tide! A couple of shuffles later it was all over to a round of applause and further cheering, a theme of the whole weekend really.
From a cave there appeared a champagne and cream tea celebration before everyone relocated back around the corner to avoid being drowned. The beach provided perfect photo opportunities, chat, laughter and rock climbing for the young and adventurous. Visitors to the cafe above (where many of us bought coffee to keep the chap happy) stood taking pictures and commenting on the wonderful occasion. Perfection.
Who says there's no reception down here?
Then came the reception back at the hostel. Merriment and laughter as old friends caught up and new friendships were forged over food and drink. From countries as diverse as Zambia to New Zealand, Sweden and Australia people had travelled. Some even managed the epic adventure from Bristol!
The speeches. Ah yes, his could have gone so so wrong, but it didn't, well almost. Si thanked everyone so nicely and was not at all so phased that he forgot, until reminded, to read the page of his speech mentioning his gorgeous wife!
Best Man Jamie and radio mics are not happy partners and on the advice of his audience spent most of his 7 hour speech facing away in order to get a signal. He pulled a blinder setting up Si in a courtroom scenario with Rolf as the judge. As Si's lifetime of misdemeanors had been well covered in the main speech Jamie then became Si's defence lawyer in an attempt to save him. The jury (the guests) proclaimed Si guilty of all charges and thus to be rendered a soaking from the "Dirty Water" bucket.
After the reception some of us took the chance for a break before the fancy dress party, while others enjoyed the tents of fun, including Dieter's Club Tropicana Spa!
In true Sucksmith tradition one of the boys had to be in drag for the party. For once it was not Si, but Jon who wowed the crowd as he broke free as Freddie Mercury beautifully accessorised with a 1970s Hoover!
Joey Winehouse was far too comfy as a woman, John Travolta and Olivia Newton John looked a little transgender too, the fish finger looked tasty, Teenwolf was accompanied by his own cheerleader, punks roamed and wheeled about, Snow White and Obi Wan fluffed the telescopic light sabre, Dick Dastardly quite simply was, the Venetian masked ball goers added class and Rolf the frogman's clunge lunge into Dieter's "paddling pool of love" was possibly the most disturbing sight of the evening...
Everyone put in a huge effort as the drinks flowed and dance kept at a frantic pace. l do like a fancy dress party and this was truly one to remember. Pictures will be circulating and being tagged/de-tagged for years to come.
By the early hours only a few hardcore dancers were left. The long day had taken its toll on the vast majority who had sidled off to bed, or at least tried to get back to their B&B Jamie.
Operation Cleanup
Peering into the marquee at 10:30am on Sunday was like a look into the Marie Celeste. Parts of costume, items of clothing, a camera on a table, the whole place looked still to be mid-party but with all the guests simply beamed out.
The high winds had seen the end of one of the tents and Club Tropicana had suffered at the hands of the storm.
The cleanup started in the hostel with the lounge being emptied of empties, the monopoly set and other toys gathered and sofas cleared ready for Rolf to be able to power nap later. The food tables were cleared and floor swept. There was now a base to work from.
The team hit the marquee collecting hundreds of glasses, bottles, and whatever else. A truck load of bottles, plastics and waste eventually made its way to the recycling centre. Chairs were stacked, tables cleared and the floor Henried.
As more people surfaced, food was cooked in the kitchen (bit windy for a BBQ), the marquee was being prepared for the next phase and the band arrived. With tables dressed once more and the drinks flowing the band played a great set of Cornish and other folk songs and tunes. The mayhem of the long line making its way round and round the marquee eventually into ever decreasing circles met with cheers and laughter. Time was flying by and as the band finished the Power Hour was announced.
Funnily enough Dieter and Debs were behind this cavalcade of cocktails, some of which I am reasonably confident could add several bhp to the power of most cars. Music, dance and chat continued until it was time for the karaoke to begin.
As I pulled away from the car park to the sound of the murdering of David Bowie's Heroes I took a minute to reflect on what a pleasure it is to know Si and Lisa, to be drawn into their utterly bonkers world of all conquering joyous mayhem and to the families and friends who had no hesitation in pushing themselves to the very limit to make the wedding perfect.
There will be many smiles as people recall this weekend, the antics, the style and the sheer joy.
Indeed Heroes, not just for one day...