Adele and James’ Wedding

Thank you!

A huge thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at our wedding in Virginia and our party in the UK, and to those who couldn’t come but sent their kind wishes and support.

It was such a joy to celebrate with you! We feel very blessed to have so many special people in our lives and have been buoyed by your love these last two months.

Photographs

Photos from the wedding ceremony and reception are available to view and purchase online.

Photography by Emily Gude.

Poetry

The following poem was read by Heather at the wedding ceremony. Many people were moved by it and have asked to see it published here. Thank you, Mum / Mum-in-law, for writing such lovely words for us.

Love’s Disguises

For James and Adele

        
They say that love’s a many-splendoured thing
and who could disagree at such a time as this?
        
Yet on another day it might be something else
quite plain, no emeralds, champagne, flowers
        
for love’s a pulse, a steady beat which holds
its own amidst the day’s irregularities
        
a simple tune which rises from the shadows,
sharpens flats and modulates into a major key
        
or a favourite coat with pockets – slightly worn,
a button short – but snug, still staving off the cold
        
a rubber band pulled taut, as far as it can stretch
till somehow it extends a fraction more.
        
Then love’s a mainsail, wind-filled as it billows,
stirs you from your torpor, whisks you away
        
an open map which offers up a route you’d
never thought of, suggests a better path
        
and now a microscope which draws you close
to find that speck of gold the naked eye can’t see
        
or just an armchair calling you to step aside and
settle, moulding to accommodate your frame.
        
The love we celebrate today shifts shape and form
to be whatever’s best, echoes a love that’s greater still.
        
It’s all we have, it’s first and last, without it we are lost,
hold fast, hold fast.
      

©Heather Shakespeare ~ May 2023

Gifts and donations

Celebrating with our friends and family was a gift in itself. However, for guests who have asked for gift ideas, we created an online registry with The Wedding Shop.

Charity fundraiser

We are blessed with more than we need, and we would be thrilled if you donated to our charity fundraising page as a gift both to us and to those less fortunate.

All funds raised go to GiveDirectly, a global nonprofit that lets donors send money directly to people living in extreme poverty with no strings attached.

Adele and James will match the first $1,000 in donations.