If there was ever an advert for travelling early for a booking, today was it.  I had been asked to play classical guitar at Julia and Matt’s wedding ceremony at All Saints Church in Shropshire.  This is approximately a 1 hour drive which I consider to be pretty local (bearing in mind I travel all over the UK to play guitar at weddings).  I set out at 10am hoping to arrive at 11am in time for a 12:30pm start.  Everything was going so well; I made good time on the roads and there was no traffic even though V festival is happening this weekend in fairly close proximity.  I arrived at the church just before 11am which would give me 90 minutes to park up and sound check before I was scheduled to begin playing.  Having time on my hands I thought I’d be clever and try to find a parking space as close to the church as possible.  The church is situated at the top of a hill with a number of winding roads running around it, one of which I thought must lead to a car park of some description.  After circling the main roads I concluded that my only option was an ominous looking dirt road.  My decision now seems somewhat perplexing but hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I slowly began the steep climb up the dirt road running adjacent to the church and after passing through the first bend it became clear that this was in fact not the way to the elusive car park.  Due to the nature of the jagged stone walls and over hanging tree stumps it was also a road which rendered reversing impossible.  I had to hope that around the next corner would be a junction for a main road, this was not to be.  What I did find were two mystified local residents, mouths set agape in amazement at the sight my VW Golf tentatively negotiating the uneven surface which was laden with protruding rocks, tree roots and puddles of indeterminate depth.  I casually stopped to ask for directions back to civilisation, as though off-roading in a mid size family hatchback was just a regular day out for me.  All credit to them; any smirks at the expense of my predicament were kept at bay and I was issued with detailed instructions on how to find my way back onto the main road.  Following my education in the local geography we had a little laugh at my precarious situation; one wheel half submerged in a muddy puddle, nose of the car barely off the ground and I was back on my way.  When I finally emerged 20 minutes later (not a scratch on my car I might add!) I felt a massive sense of relief.  Not only was my car intact (less so my dignity) but I still had an hour to set up and sound check.

I parked up on the main road about 100 metres from the church, wishing I’d just done this to begin with.  A short walk is nothing compared to the stress of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere.  Now that I had arrived I could put my ordeal behind me and get on with performing.  All Saints church is a grand building with plenty of room so I set up my performance space at the front and to the side of the aisle so that Julia and her bridesmaids could pass easily without having to squeeze past me mid song.  I set my amplifier on it’s stand so that it could be heard right at the back of the church, this was especially important because this is where Julia would make her entrance and I wanted to make sure she could clearly hear the piece of music she had chosen for the processional.  I played each piece of music to the best of my ability and received some very kind words from guests following the wedding ceremony.  Nobody would have been able to guess that an hour ago I was uttering unspeakable profanities and cursing my ludicrous decision to navigate off road.

I followed Julia and Matt’s wedding party to Pimhill Barn for the drinks reception.  Feeling a lot more relaxed now I enjoyed playing a number of popular songs from my jazz set, along with some other tunes requested by Julia.  Unfortunately I didn’t get to pass on my best wishes to Julia and Matt in person because the wedding breakfast began as I was packing away.  I do wish them all the very best and I thought they made a lovely couple.  Julia looked like one of the happiest brides I think I’ve seen for a while as they exited the ceremony as husband and wife.  Congratulations to them both!

If you’re interested in hiring me to play at your wedding please check out the various wedding music packages I offer and get in touch.