Once again, the weather featured large… It rained heavily most days during the week leading up to the wedding day, and seemed impossible that Saturday would not be wet. Exactly on cue, after a beautiful sunny start and a dry day, large drops of thundery rain started to fall at 5.00pm, just as Amy and Matt arrived back at Belmount Hall after the ceremony at St Paul’s Church, Rusland.

Incredibly, however, after a couple of minutes, the rain stopped, and the Champagne and Canapes reception – for 120 guests – took place in front of the Hall. The wedding breakfast was served in the splendid Rusland Valley Horticultural Society marquee on the west lawn. The marquee had been erected by Amy’s dad, Angus, and helpers, and a fine job was made of it!

Another excitement was the wedding cake, which was served as the pudding, accompanied by strawberries and cream. For a number of reasons, Gillie has not, for a couple of years, been prepared to offer her delicious chocolate cake (much loved at Jumping Jenny – http://www.jumpingjenny.com – where of course it can be tasted any day) as a wedding cake, but she was delighted at everybody’s reaction… so it is now on offer again.