Sections - Chinese Tea Ceremony | Wedding Ceremony/Estate | Reception IMG_8115 The next day it was time for the wedding, we took a tram to the beautiful Rippon Lea Estate and on the way I was aghast to see the World's Favorite Fries discarded! Poor McDonald's... IMG_8117 Hoy waits... IMG_8119 The bridal party arrives IMG_8123 Miranda and her mom IMG_8125 A blushing bride IMG_8137 The officiant was very prepared with a wireless mic and all IMG_8139 IMG_8147 Kiss! IMG_8149 IMG_8155 Always good when there's free champagne after the ceremony, Daniel stands near an arrangement of flowers IMG_8168 The grounds and main house at Rippon Lea were exquisite IMG_8171 IMG_8172 IMG_8177 IMG_8181 After the ceremony the couple went off to have photos taken for a couple hours, of course in the lap of luxury they traveled in a Rolls Royce (they make fine cars, but engines...I think I'd prefer GE!) IMG_8185 In amazing timing, we happened upon a tour of the house so we got to see inside as well - here's the main sitting room and the famous Rippon Lea Bear who's lived there for a really long time... IMG_8190 The couple that lived here was from new money and there were various features of the stained glass and other construction that were chosen by the husband to try to fit in to higher society IMG_8196 Not a bad dining room... IMG_8199 Candy dish on a table refelecting the patio outside IMG_8201 Nice doorknob IMG_8206 I think the bear was surprised by our tour of the bathroom! The most interesting feature of this early example of indoor plumbing was the center knob for...shampoo (did they have a vat of shampoo with a pump in the basement?)... IMG_8207 IMG_8210 I'm not sure if this was the Maples or earlier Sargood family, but previous owner's family in a photo IMG_8212 Opera glasses, not all items in the house were original (in fact few loose items were, but taken from the general holdings of the preservation authority) but it was still very interesting IMG_8216 I think this statue is trying to give me the finger (a finger?) IMG_8217 IMG_8218 These basins are no longer fabricated of course, and I think they're glued to the underside of the sink - there were two, but one fell out during a tour so only one is left - I've documented it now for posterity IMG_8225 Around the side of the house near the servant's quarters IMG_8231 Beautiful gardens there too IMG_8240 Here's the invitation to the wedding IMG_8242 More nice gardens Sections - Chinese Tea Ceremony | Wedding Ceremony/Estate | Reception Return to Features