The Big Day, Through My Eyes.

Well, you all know I went back to the Isle of Man to see my son get married.

My boy Jonathan, affectionately known as Jiffy since he was about nine months old (because that's roughly how long it takes him to wreck something!), finally married the love of his life, Josephine.

He introduced me to Josie not long before Tony and I moved to New Zealand, and I remember thinking straight away that she would be good for him. 

She is a lovely lady who has given us two beautiful grandchildren, Floki and Una.

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So, it's time to tell you about their wedding day.

The weather on the island had been a real mixed bag. One day would be warm and sunny, the next cold and wet, followed by a few days of thick fog... you know how it goes.

The day before the wedding was dreadful. Not a nice gentle rain, not the occasional shower. Oh no! This was proper torrential rain. It was raining when we woke up, it rained all day, and it was still pouring when we went to bed. I fell asleep with my fingers firmly crossed, hoping the weather would somehow turn itself around overnight.

Thankfully, it did.

We woke to the most beautiful day. Blue skies, sunshine and hardly a breath of wind. We couldn't have asked for anything better.

We were familiar with the venue, so there were no surprises there. Our only concern was whether the previous day's torrential rain would leave the grounds too wet for an outdoor ceremony. Thankfully, the sunshine had worked its magic. The ground had dried remarkably well, and everything was ready just as planned. The children were soon making the most of the playground, and, best of all, the ceremony could go ahead outside as everyone had hoped.

Jonathan and Josie had actually slipped away back in April to make things official with a quiet ceremony at the Registrar's Office. This celebration, however, was their traditional handfasting ceremony, surrounded by the people they love. (You can read more about the ancient tradition of handfasting here.)

Jiffy later told me that, although the legal ceremony took place in April, this is the day they will always celebrate as their wedding anniversary. Midsummer's Day 2026 is the day they chose to remember—the day they made their vows before family and friends.

Jiffy made the most beautiful handfasting cord for the ceremony himself.

 It was incredibly special knowing he had created something that would become such an important part of the day. Their celebrant, a close friend, put an enormous amount of effort into making the ceremony meaningful, even completing an online course and researching the traditions so she could do everything just right.

Josie and her girls also made their own bouquets, gathering flowers from friends' and family's gardens— in the pouring rain—as well as collecting permissioned blooms from local parks and nature reserves. They did an amazing job. The bouquets looked absolutely beautiful. 

Kaiy spent the morning helping her brother prepare the venue before turning her attention to his very long, naturally dreadlocked hair. I think she did a wonderful job of taming it. 

Then the bride arrived with her entourage—three bridesmaids, little Una and her proud dad. 

The handfasting ceremony was beautiful to watch. There was something very moving about seeing Jonathan and Josie literally bind their lives together as they exchanged their promises. It was simple, personal and full of love.

Once the ceremony was over, it was time for photographs, plenty of hugs and congratulations, and then, of course... the party! 

It was a truly lovely day, made even more special because we were able to be there to share it with them. After travelling halfway around the world, watching our son marry the woman he loves was worth every mile. 

The groom's men were all dressed in kilts, as you can see. Even little Floki had his own kilt, although he's rather camera shy, so I never did manage to get a special photo of him. In fact, he got changed out of his kilt as soon as he was allowed.

Una, on the other hand, was convinced the whole day was all about her! 

Dressed as a little fairy princess, she spent the day dancing, twirling and thoroughly enjoying herself in her beautiful dress and of course, posing for the cameras.

She certainly added to the magic of the occasion.

I also tried to get some photographs with my sisters. You know what it's like—there's always one sibling who pulls a face or looks the wrong way just as the shutter clicks! 

After a couple of attempts, I decided that if you can't beat her, join her. I think the resulting photo says far more about us than a perfectly posed one ever could!

I did eventually get a picture of Floki.

 

Some days are simply too special to capture in words alone.

The smiles, the laughter, the hugs, the confetti and all the little moments in between are far better remembered in photographs. We were so grateful to be there to celebrate with Jonathan and Josie, and to share such a beautiful Midsummer's Day with our family.

Congratulations once again, Mr and Mrs... may your next adventure together be every bit as happy as the day it began.

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