A modest estimate of 400 people gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Marylebone, London on Saturday, 20 June 2009 at 13:00 to witness the marriage of the Director of the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM), Andy Flannagan to the beautiful Jenny Grove.
The ceremony began with the announcement that £6,500 had been raised for the Sanyu Orphanage in Uganda; a charity dedicated to assisting orphaned children in Uganda. Andy and Jenny asked their wedding guests for one gift; a donation to the Sanyu Orphanage:
http://www.justgiving.com/flannagrovewedding/
and it was at the outset of the ceremony that guests were encouraged to know how much had been raised. Andy explained that the website would be accessible until 20 July 2009 for those still wanting to donate and, believe it or not, he then sang a song he’d written for a little boy he met in an orphanage. As I think back to my own wedding and that of many others and how self-focussed we can be with our special day, I am touched by the dedication for social justice that both Andy and Jenny exemplify.
After that, the wedding did have a few traditional attributes. There were a few songs shared by close friends of Andy and Jenny; scriptures read by their siblings; a short sermon, by Pastor Dave Steel from church.co.uk; the reading of vows; exchanging of rings; and a brilliant kiss finish.
But mostly, this wedding was extremely creative and unconventional. There was an intermission half way through the ceremony where guests were encouraged to exit the church and were provided with lovely Champaign and appetizers. Many guests attempted to take pictures of the lovely couple who at times seemed to be socialising with everyone at once. After the intermission, there was a choir rehearsal, where guests were taught ‘Oh Happy Day.’ There were balloons and markers provided to everyone present, whom were then encouraged to blow them up; write messages or draw pictures on them; and smack them forward to meet Andy and Jenny. One balloon seen floating by was drawn to resemble a cricket ball! Andy and Jenny then exited the church whilst everyone broke out in song, belting out ‘Oh Happy Day.’
The reception, which also took place at St. Mary’s was a massive indoor picnic. Picnic blankets, cushions, pretty flower pots and even a few couches were arranged throughout the sanctuary floor; and 400 guests, including the bride and groom, settled down to unpack all of the picnic goodies they brought along. Whilst speeches took place, brownies and Innocent Smoothies were passed around to everyone. The Innocent Smoothies were used for toasting to the Bride and Groom!
After the speeches, there was a paper airplane competition! Nearly 100 people made paper airplanes, climbed up to the church balcony and threw them off into the crowd on the count of ten. The DJ won.
That paved the way nicely for a few musical performances and the couple’s first dance. The reception ended at 21:00 with a tired, but very happy 400 people streaming out of St. Mary’s.
