Not the Royal Wedding

The happy couple, Paul and Shelley.

Calum, me, Lola and Joe in our wedding finery.

Paul's daughter, Phoebe, leading Lilly down the aisle.

Lilly is not impressed.

Best Man, Steve (Paul's brother), Paul and Shelley with Lilly.

On Friday 29 April Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.

My good friends Paul and Shelley also got married that day, and in an abbey as well. Only this abbey was Bradwell Abbey in Milton Keynes.

It was humanist wedding which was a new experience as I'd never been to one before and it was absolutely lovely. In many ways it was similar to a church service, except there was no singing. Paul and Shelley still made vows, but they were personal to each other. I've never been to a wedding where the groom promises to be tidier!

Usually, it's the bride's prerogative to be late but this time it was the Mother of the Bride who went missing. She'd got the wrong time but, thankfully made it in the end. Shelley's beautiful little bridesmaid, her grandaughter Lilly, refused to leave her 'Nanny' so Shelley went through the whole service with Lilly on her knee. Lilly spent most of the time scowling but still managed to look incredibly cute. Shelley and Paul didn't stop smiling all day.

I was asked to do a reading at the end of the service, a well-wishing for Paul and Shelley to wish them a happy life together. I was delighted to be asked and pleased when it went well - except at the end when I put my piece of paper on the lecturn and it flipped up unexpectedly, making everyone jump.

It was a hugely enjoyable day and everyone had great fun. I felt very proud to be out with my family and we all looked the part.

The best bit was catching up with friends we hadn't seen for ages, especially Phoebe who has been modelling in Australia and flew over esepcially for her Dad's wedding. Her speech for Paul and Shelley was one of the highlights - beautifully written and sincerely delivered. She said afterwards she'd been nervous but you couldn't tell.

Once the formalities were over, it was time to eat, drink and be merry and we certainly did that. The food and drink were delicious and plentiful and the entertainment fantastic. My favourite part was the colourful African drummers in their eye-catching outfits who got everyone dancing. They were followed by a local band - the drummer is a good friend of Paul's - who played loads of old favourites and kept the dance floor heaving.

It was one of those days that simply brims over with happiness and I felt privileged to be part of it.

So congratulations Mr and Mrs Griffiths - and thank you for letting us share your special day.

We loved every minute.