Amy & Filip Hnízdo-Gibb
A Wedding in Reading
15/02/2025

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The Day

It's just before 2pm at The Rising Sun Arts Centre on Silver Street, Reading on Saturday the 15th of February 2025. Filip and Amy were here late in the evening and early in the morning but are now apart again. There is chaos in the hotel with Amy and the children, but relative calm at the Rising Sun Arts Centre with Filip. Everything is ready.

Shannon arrived with Filip in a taxi but then had to go back to the hotel as she forgot some of her outfit. She arrives back at the Centre again and is sent on an errand to the supermarket around the corner for some flowers which she works out the best way to wrap with volunteer Holly behind the bar. This time she didn't struggle with the british supermarket self-checkout experience.

Filip gets dressed into his suit in the bathroom and guests begin to arrive (too early!). Filip starts sending them upstairs and the room begins to pack out with colourful outfits and happy people of all ages.

Filip wonders when Amy will arrive. It's meant to be at 3pm.

Back at the hotel, Amy’s dad Leigh leaves the only copy of his father-of-the-bride speech on the hotel railings (mainly due to distractions from looking after screaming grandchild Blossom). Amy spends the whole of the journey to the Arts Centre negotiating for the hotel to book a taxi to deliver the crucial folder with speech in.

Filip walks the car park, the place where they met, and he later proposed, which has now been filled with a huge marquee, catering tent, a giant mechanical dinosaur and large blackboards on easels reading "A Wedding in Reading, Congrats Amy and Filip". Larry, manager of the Arts Centre, did the writing. It's also in chalk on the board at the front of the building like many an event before it but also something totally different. There's never been a wedding at the Centre before.

Filip and Larry help harpist Tamara get her harp up the very tight staircase into the lounge for the ceremony. Filip is used to carrying stuff up this staircase by now and a harp seems a relatively small challenge. Tamara does most of the work. She's a professional.

The marquee is filled with candles in jars. None of the jars have had the labels removed so they offer insights into which coffee, pesto, and sauces Filip and Amy use at home. There is a kids area in the corner with the Centre's own rocking horse, blankets, toys and some four-wheeled pull trolleys (these will become a highlight for the children at the event later on).

People start going upstairs to the ceremony room (the Lounge). At 2:30pm it is already totally filled with people, fairy lights, pot-plants and music by Holly (flautist) and Tamara (harpist). You can hear the music from downstairs, beautifully warped by the building. The overflow room upstairs is already filling up as well. A few latecomers arrive but though the ceremony was meant to start at 3pm, Amy is nowhere to be seen...

Filip starts worrying, pacing around the building, ushering more latecomers upstairs.

He hears Blossom, and sees Violet. Amy has arrived! Amy is a nervous wreck in all the good ways and they share a beautiful moment of comfort alone downstairs before making their way up the stairs, juggling Blossom, Violet, themselves and the bouquet of supermarket flowers.

Amy is dressed in a gorgeous wedding dress featuring golden bees she made herself during four months of intense work. It's the best wedding dress Filip has ever seen.

Filip is wearing a suit and shirt made from animal fabric (possoms, insects and chameleons) designed by his friend Anna Sebestova (Annanemone) and crafted by the tailors in Greenwich Market. It's the best wedding suit Amy has ever seen.

They hear an applause and step into the magical ceremony room. They assume Sam, a folksinger friend of Filip's has finished his surprise song to welcome them (Sumer is icumen in, with lyrics changed slightly to Spring). In fact it was an applause for Holly and Tamara, so Filip and Amy tred back quickly to the stairwell as Sam sings. A mistake, but at least they get to hear his song properly.

Sam majestically finishes the song and Larry announces:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the bride and groom, Amy and Filip, and their daughters Violet Adventure and Blossom Magic. Please stand.”

Holly and Tamara play "Can you feel the love tonight?" from the Lion King (Holly actually plays in the West End stage show as a job so they do it wonderfully). Filip and Amy walk down the aisle. The power of the guests directing their energy towards Amy and Filip as they walk the tight line to the front is immensely powerful. The concept of auras and personal energy seems real at that moment. The aisle feels like a tunnel with the fireplace as the light at the end.

Holly and Tamara are still playing and Amy decides to turn around and say hello to everyone peering in from the overflow room's doorway. Amy and Filip both feel like celebrities.

The room has possibly never looked more beautiful. The fire is on, the fairy light lighting (step ladder and broom wrangling from days before) is perfect. There are pot plants (each with guests' names on them so they can take them home at the end of the night) on the chairs and windowsills. There is beautiful bunting that Amy and Shannon (Filip's great friend over from Missouri) were making at 2am a few nights before. Over the fireplace is bunting made of fabric samples that Amy decided not to use for her wedding dress. She made the right choice, but the not-to-be fabric looks wonderful together.

Larry welcomes Amy and Filip in and does a by-heart and heartfelt, long speech about the Arts Centre, and Amy and Filip's love and relationship for it and eachother. He talks about Amy's dedicated volunteering and how it has shaped the Centre into what it is, and Filip's poetry and music finding a regular home in the venue since he first came there more than 20 years earlier.

Amy and Filip sit patiently trying to soak as much of it in as they can.

Next, some readings. It's a tight squeeze at the front but all the readers stand proudly and do a magnificent job.

First up is Fran Kemp, Amy's colleague from the BBC music department, reading Filip's first ever email to Amy:

Filip@bluejumpers.com to Amyjgibb@yahoo.co.uk on 29th July 2011

Dear Amy, Thank you so much for inviting me to play. My set has lots of instruments: theremin, trumpet, guitars, ukulele, sampler, turntable, keyboard,harmonica, vocals, percussion and more but all of it will run through my computer so I’ll only need power and a stereo out.

Hopefully I won’t need much of a setup as most of it’ll be plug and play. I’ll bring mics.

My performance will be a short piece of musical theatre set in and around the Rising Sun Arts Centre. I don’t really mind how it’s billed as the last thing I want is people feeling scared off or worried about interrupting with chatter or such. Filip or Filip Hnízdo is fine.

I’m in Stockholm at the moment writing from a ferry with free wifi but return on Sunday.

I’ll be doing heavy plugging for the whole festival anyway with posters if possible.

On another note, as most of my songs are written about and for people and places,

I’m planning to sell song request cards for people to fill in for an album. I want all profit to go to the Rising Sun Arts Centre (I’ll post copies of the record to people who request a song). I’ll probably just do this after my set but I thought I’d give you the heads up about it.

I’ll be in touch again when I get back to England.

Thanks again for the opportunity. Let me know if I can help in any way.

See you soon.

Filip

Zoe Robinson, Amy's great school and life friend announces she is here (Filip and Amy worried she was not) from the back and steps forward to read "I Think of Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

I think of thee! — my thoughts do twine and bud About thee,as wild vines, about a tree, Put out broad leaves, and soon there's nought to see Except the straggling green which hides the wood. Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood I will not have my thoughts instead of thee Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should, Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare, And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee Drop heavily down, — burst, shattered, everywhere! Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee And breathe within thy shadow a new air, I do not think of thee — I am too near thee.

Nathania Hartley, Filip's great friend from University and beyond, reads some memories collected by Filip and Amy:

"Memories of places Amy and Filip have felt at home - on hills, vistas and water"

Shannon Dravenstott, one of Filip's oldest friends (flown over from Tipton, Missouri) reads "I loved you first: but afterwards your love" By Christina Rossetti.

I loved you first: but afterwards your love Outsoaring mine, sang such a loftier song As drowned the friendly cooings of my dove. Which owes the other most? my love was long, And yours one moment seemed to wax more strong; I loved and guessed at you, you construed me And loved me for what might or might not be – Nay, weights and measures do us both a wrong. For verily love knows not ‘mine’ or ‘thine;’ With separate ‘I’ and ‘thou’ free love has done, For one is both and both are one in love: Rich love knows nought of ‘thine that is not mine;’ Both have the strength and both the length thereof, Both of us, of the love which makes us one.

Larry announces that Filip and Amy will make promises in the form of vows to eachother. There is a slightly problem...

Amy has forgotten her written vows downstairs.

Fortunately Larry went down to get them while the readings were going on. Crisis over.

Amy and Filip face eachother and stare into eachother's eyes. The level of magic in the room increases even further.

Filip goes first and sings his vows as a song written for Amy. He has performed his poetry in this room many times, but this one feels the most magical.

Whether it's sunny or stormy outside Or stormy or sunny inside of our minds If rainfulness, sleeplessness hits us again, I'll stay strong and smile with you still.

If hauntings, or saddenings, horrors or grief, Plague things or damage them here, Hopelessnes can hit at its hardest again, But I'll stay strong and smile with you still

I carry a lot of worries I fear, You've already done so well in shaking them clear No such weights can keep us rising up to the sun Floating together as one

If monsters, exhaustion, play on our minds, With you and our children I think we'll be fine. Our hearts are much stronger than anything done Bound close and beating as one.

Look out at the water, the hilltops, the sky, Holding hands darling, floating on by You and I got here love let's stay here all right. Warmed by the sun and reflecting its light.

Whether it's sunny or stormy outside Or stormy or sunny inside of our minds If rainfulness, sleeplessness hits us again, I'll stay strong and smile with you still.

Amy says her vows, getting slightly tearful but powering through with a clear voice. She even gets a laugh from the audience... Filip listens closely to every word.

I promise to be your friend, your parner and your rock.

I promise to listen to you, to really see you, to have time for you and in sickness, health, richer, poorer, all of that.

I promise to love you with all my heart and to keep trying everyday.

Through hard times, easy times. I'm here for you. I'm yours.

Larry asks Violet for the rings which have been placed in a bright pink box with a cat face on it.

Before the service continues, Larry says (as planned):

"Violet, is there something you want to say?"

Violet has prepared this, her own chosen words, for several months:

"Welcome to the wedding everyone!" she says loudly.

There is a slight muddle over which of the rings is whose and a further muddle when Blossom tries to eat the rings, but Filip and Amy put them lovingly on each other's fingers. They are pigeon-claw casts in gold by designer Tessa Metcalfe in Islington.

Larry forgets to ask if anyone has any objections, is reminded by Filip do so so, and people laugh. It's fine. Filip and Amy watch a lot of romantic comedies so this sort of drama is important to them.

Larry tells Amy and Filip that they may now kiss.

Amy and Filip kiss (twice)

They leave the room holding hands (Violet and Blossom stay behind with their grandparents).

Leigh (Amy's dad) and Ray (a good family friend and oftentimes bandmate of Leigh) start singing: "Going to the chapel and we're going to get married". This was originally performed by The Dixie Cups but also famously by Elton John at the end of Four Weddings and a Funeral. Filip and Amy have, unintentionally, picked two Elton John songs for their wedding ceremony. Elton was born in Pinner like Amy and Filip is a fan so it's not a bad choice.

People sing along but Amy and Filip are long downstairs. Relieved that the venue is set up the emotional part is done and most importantly, that they are husband and wife. They kiss again.

They greet their guests properly as everyone makes their way downstairs and people eat the catering company's minified attempt at Czech open sandwiches (chlebíčky). Filip and Amy are too buzzing with energy and relief to eat anything.

Every room in the venue, from that moment until the end of the night is bustling with life. The whole building is alive. Filip and Amy were a bit worried that the marquee (essential because Amy and Filip know and love a lot of people) would take away from the magic of the building... But the building (second to Amy and Filip of course) is a star of the show. It looks fantastic.

The lounge is instantly re-arranged with tables that are then instantly filled, the main hall is lit by candles and flourescent orange and blue lights. There are more plant pots, again with name tags, on every table.

Filip sounds his bugle (a common fixture of the day) to announce that Ray and Leigh are playing upstairs. People ascend on the lounge (though it is already filled with people before this) and the place resembles a rowdy dinner club with people sat at tables, loud chatter throughout the room and a band playing in the corner and interacting with the crowd. Ray sings without a microphone but cuts through with his beautifully weathered blues voice. People dance, people sing along (Amy and Filip do both to "Hit the Road Jack"). The atmosphere is so perfect it feels as out of a film.

Blossom falls asleep in Larry's arms. She'll later sleep in many people's arms: Eri and Izzy are favourites, though consequently cannot move for several hours.

There's a further bugle announcement, and everyone goes down and outside for a photo, taken from two different angles. Amy throws the bouquet to a countdown and Steph (Amy's good friend who helped her with her wedding dress) catches it. She later sends a photo of it in a vase at home.

Delicious food begins to be served to all guests...

SIDES

Jewelled Cous-cous Classic Caesar Salad Roasted Harissa cauliflower

MAINS

Courgette and Cumin Fritter Chicken Parmigiana Lime lamb cutlets Aubergine Parmigiana

People start gathering at tables in the main hall (it looks bustling and smarter than it has possibly ever looked) and the marquee (a surprisingly fitting addition to the Rising Sun Arts Centre car park).

On the wall of the marquee to the left is the giant Pandemic Quilt Amy coordinated with Rising Sun Arts Centre volunteers during the Covid 19 Pandemic (also when this wedding was first due to take place). Below it, kids are playing in the kids' area (a great success) as guests chat, eat and drink on every table. One of the greatest things about the day is how many people of different ages are there. All generations, all talking to eachother and celebrating together.

The food is superb and everyone is busy eating. Filip runs around making sure every table is ok, both in the marquee and in the main hall. Everyone is talking to people they know and people they didn't previously know. Filip makes a few introductions to keep conversations flowing but it's pretty clear they would flow anyway.

Filip and Amy somehow end up being the only people without plates (having given theirs away to children) but happily eat together in the main hall from napkins. Filip makes a comment about the kids' meal (chicken nuggets) tempting him more than some of the fancier food. Shannon sneakily brings him a plate of nuggets.

There is wine on the tables, drinks from the bar (staffed by friends and volunteers) and a glowing atmosphere everywhere. A fire pit is lit outside and people sit by it long into the night. It rained earlier but is clear when it needs to be.

The aforementioned trolleys in the kids area are being used by the children to drag eachother around in lovingly chaotic glee. Other children love using the disposable cameras left around in place of an official photographer. Not many of the photos turn out amazingly well, but people love taking them, especially the children. Memories are better than photographs.

Almost everything planned for the wedding has gone perfectly with one exception... There was meant to be a "ceremony of the cakes". The cakes that had been brought as gifts by many guests...

The cakes were placed in the room next to the lounge, triumphantly displayed. By the time it came to the ceremony however... many of the cakes had been eaten already. Who tucked in first? Was it a child, was it a close friend / helper? A mystery. But the cakes were enjoyed by all and later were joined by wonderful mini-desserts from the catering company. The tiny sticky toffee puddings were a particular hit.

It was then time for the speeches, in the marquee, so everyone could fit comfortably and listen. More bugle to gather people. This bit actually feels and looks like a "normal" wedding. Having everyone together makes Amy and Filip realise how many people they invited and how lovely it is to have them there.

Amy's Dad Leigh comes first, while his friends make jokes about him and the speech in friendly jest he spoke lovingly of both Amy and Filip, and their love and time for their children. He's totally in his element at this sort of thing and charms everyone.

Filip is next, thanking a lot of people and giving a great many thanks to Amy's parents, Leigh and Joyce for their help and support with all parts of life. He celebrates his mum, Eva, for making him cherish independance and strength as in Amy and speaks highly of Amy's resourcefulness, determination and talent, in life, creativity and work. A child gives Filip a hug randomly during his speech.

Amy then adds her own thanks and speaks eloquently and lovingly of Filip, her friends, family and children from notes beautifully handwritten out by her friend Eri (who also set out the wedding invites).

Amy powers through an emotional dedication to lost friends and family: her great friend Bobby, greatly loved uncle Ivor, and Filip's dad Bořek.

Finally, Filip's mum thanked Amy and Filip for their kindness and patience with her and shared her love of her grandchildren.

The speeches end, the children continue to whizz around in trolleys and The Mark II, a 7 piece soul band containing friends from the Arts Centre gets ready to play in the hall.

People start moving back to various rooms of the centre, using all available space with every room having a different atmosphere.

Back in the main hall the band have started. There is talk of a "first dance". This is mostly Amy and Filip passing their children around and having fun to The Harlem Shuffle. The band are amazing and everyone, of all ages, dances the night away. Amy and Filip find time to dance too, between regular trips to the bar to talk to guests.

Upstairs, the lounge is also filled with people wanting a quieter time, as is the marquee and fire pit sofa area. The formal parts of the day are over and Filip and Amy relax and chat to their many friends.

At many points in the evening, Filip and Amy do not know where their children are. At these points, Blossom is usually being held by people, later falling asleep. Violet is usually being pushed around in a trolley by other children.

Amy's hen party friends all assemble for a photo. Before the photo they serenade Blossom (being held by Filip) with "Incy Wincy Spider" and "I can sing a rainbow" (Blossom's favourites), complete with well coordinated hand gestures (led by Amy's friend Karen).

The pot plants to be taken home are a hit and many people are seen hunting around the venue to find their named plant and take it home. Amy's joke about the plants symbolising their love to make people scared of killing them is hopefully taken lightly.

The band learnt Tina Turner and David Bowie's "Tonight" on request, which Amy and Filip dance and sing to like they had many times alone watching the video of its stars.

Things are starting to quieten down but the bar is still filled with people. Filip drinks an Apple Tango, his decades long go-to drink at the Centre. Friends chat in many pockets. Good conversations take place.

Around the bar are a great many photos of Amy, pinned up with fairy lights, alongside a giant print out of the illustration of the Rising Sun Arts Centre and wedding made by Maija Varvatsis for Filip and Amy's invites. Every room in the venue is as perfect as it can be. It's dressed up, but it's still the Rising Sun Arts Centre and Amy and Filip are smiling a lot.

Amy and Filip are however, also tired at this point. It's been a long week of preperations. Plans are made to wrap things up. Some people would probably stay forever if not instructed that the night was over. They are some of the same people that find themselves in that position during many nights at The Rising Sun Arts Centre. An impromptu conversation about the building takes place among them.

Filip and Amy gather their things (knowing they'll be back for a day of clearing up in the morning), and say goodnight to a beautiful wedding in a magical place.

They couldn't have hoped for a better day.


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