Seating Plans

Ella and James Preece are a Catholic couple living in Kingston Upon Hull in Yorkshire in the UK. This is our blog.

Blogged by James Preece on 11th August 2008

We started on the seating plan today. We did the English first, and that wasn't too bad. Now Monica is going through the Italians. Apparently (as I learn only today) at Italian weddings, the seating must take into account the rigid heirarchy of relations, or you run the risk of being unexpectedly hit in the face with a dead goat. I made that last part up. Anyway, I'm blogging about it, 'cos what do I know?

[link]

Oh Mark, you're so sweet and innocent. If you had married an English girl you would have discovered that English families have the same problem. Who sits closer to the head table... do friends outrank aunties? What about cousins? Oh no! There's only enough room for three quarters of the cousins to sit equidistant from the head table? Who sits further away? Cousin X or Uncle Y? But Auntie Z is travelling up so we should move her closer. But Grandma Q will be offended because she's a grandparent and she aught to be nearer...

The meal lasts all of an hour, but Uncle X has never got on with Cousin Y and if Cousin Y sits across from Auntie Z then we're doomed.

It's women who are the problem. Not Italians.

To the Blessed Virgin Prayer for England

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy "Dowry" and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee.

By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more.

Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross.

O sorrowful Mother! intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son.

Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home.

Amen.

Couple's Prayer

O God, our heavenly Father, protect and bless us. Deepen and strengthen our love for each other day by day.

Grant that by thy mercy, neither of us may ever say one unkind word to the other. Forgive and correct our faults, and make us constantly to forgive one another should one of us unconsciously hurt the other.

Make us and keep us sound and well in body, alert in mind, tender in heart, and devout in spirit. O Lord, grant us each to rise to the other's best. Then, we pray thee, add to our common life such virtues as only thou canst give.

And so, O Father, consecrate our life and love completely to thy worship, and to the service of all about us, especially those whom thou hast appointed us to serve, that we may always stand before thee in happiness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.