The Bridal Boutique – Evelyne

Today we have an amazing guest writer for you… ok yes I do have to say that but it’s genuinely true! My soon to be mother-in-law, mother of the bride and all round amazing person Kathryn. If Dom and I feel busy with wedding planning it’s nothing compared to how busy Kathryn has been dashing back and forth between their holiday home on La Palma and good old blighty to sort out all of our ridiculous requests and we couldn’t be more grateful for all her and Peter’s efforts. This is the first in a series of posts all about Kathryn’s adventures on the Island and particularly her mission to find that all important mother-of-the-bride hat! Take it away Kathryn!

Okay, so it’s Sunday morning and Peter and I are sat in the church in which Dominique and Matt will soon be exchanging their vows. It’s a beautiful church set up in the mountains of the Taburiente, above El Paso, on the island of La Palma. Jenny, the vicar, has just arrived back from Norwich, after finally being ordained into the church; a ceremony that we would have attended if Peter, perhaps inspired by the Olympics, hadn’t attempted an unusual gymnastic manoeuvre: propelling himself 10 feet into the air and crash landing onto concrete whilst cutting the hedge with an electric hedge trimmer! I hasten to add there is only one winner when skin meets concrete! I digress.

So there we were, sat in church, the sun streaming through the open doors and glistening on Jenny’s brand new emerald stole, positively beaming she was! I cast a glance around the church, most of the regulars are there. Everyone was English speaking; the church is the only Anglican one on the island and every weekend it holds a service. Whilst I recognised more or less everyone present from our previous trips, in front of us sat someone who I didn’t recognise at all, a petite lady with curly locks. As it turns out her size clearly belied her energy as she proved to be a lively participant, giving a tambourine an enthusiastic work out!!

Half way through the service a Spanish family joined the service. They asked us to pray for one of its members who was to have an operation tomorrow on her arm. Jenny duly translated what was happening to English and Spanish speakers alike and they joined in the songs or clapped along to the beat. This is La Palma. This is what it’s like. Everyone muddles along together and tries to support one another. It is a very special island.

After the service we all congregate at a bar just outside of El Paso for a social chat and people stay and chat for as long as they want, after all there is always “mañana!” I noticed that Peter had been chatting to the tambourine bashing lady of some time. It turns out they were talking about photographers and looking straight at me she said, “Why, has he got a Leica then?”

I was hurled head-first into an unknown conversation. “Eh?  No it’s more about style actually… So have you got your dress? What colour is it, style, length?” Oh…What? Come again? I felt like I’d been launched full pelt into a spin cycle on a washing machine! Who was this curly haired power-house? I cast a side glance to Peter who, having been married to me for over 30 years, spotted the signs immediately. “Well actually she hasn’t bought one yet,” he piped up. At this, the curly haired dynamo launched herself out of her seat armed with pad and pencil (where the heck had those come from?) and into the seat that moments ago had been occupied by a rather tranquil Alan, an enthusiastic, guitar playing Christian man. “Draw your favourite dress” the mystery woman instructed me. “My favourite dress?” I echoed. “You have got one haven’t you?”

I cast a glance… well to be fair it was more of a What the heck is going on? Rescue me! look at Peter. He quickly pipes up, “You have met Evelyne, haven’t you?” I shake my head vigorously. “No?” Another shake, even more vigorous than the last as Evelyne thrusts a pencil into my hand. “Ah… you sure you haven’t?” A nod this time, the bewildered expression still clinging desperately to my face. “Well, Evelyne is a Fashion designer and she…” Peter is interrupted sharply as an affronted Evelyne speaks up. “No I’m not! I used to be but now I’m a fashion consultant! Have you drawn your dress yet?!”

I was soon to learn that despite Evelyne’s petite stature she was not a woman to be crossed…

Find out more about The Mother of the Bride’s adventures and the role the fiery Evelyne was to come to play in the wedding planning in part II coming soon to the blog!