Imagine being invited to a wedding where you don’t have to dress up, buy an expensive gift, hire a babysitter, sit next the bore of the year, or nurse a hangover afterwards — and yet have a truly enjoyable day.

Sound too good to be true? Not if you attend the Garden Club of Bermuda’s ‘A Wedding in May’ on Saturday.

The fun-filled, daylong event represents the culmination of months of planning and hard work by an army of members and volunteers, and promises to be the Club’s most delightful event yet.

The ambitious programme will be spread over three venues: Christ Church in Warwick, and two nearby private properties: ‘Kirkdale Farm’ and ‘The Cocoon’.

From 10am to 4pm non-stop entertainment will be built around the theme of a traditional Bermuda wedding. This will include a fashion show, celebratory music, a hand bell choir, churchyard and private property tours, as well as En Plein Air artists working at their easels.

A special area is being set aside for children, where they can put their creativity to work decorating containers to fill later with flowers for Mother’s Day. Afterwards, they will be able to explore unknown territory in The Enchanted Garden, which is designed especially for play and discovery.

Under the tents at ‘Kirkwood Farm’, a variety of goods will be available for sale, including lemonade, baked goods, Mother’s Day bouquets, wreaths of Spring flowers, plants and seedlings.

Beautiful floral decorations and greenery created by the Garden Club’s award-winning designers will enhance the charms of Christ Church, ‘Kirkdale Farm’ and ‘The Cocoon’.

During the morning and afternoon celebratory music will be performed by Bermudian musicians, among them the church’s hand bell choir,

Suzuki Strings, St. Paul’s Church Recorder Group, Antoinette Davis (flute) and Andrea Hodson (keyboard).

Throughout the day Plein Air artists will be painting at their easels, and also selling their art.

The day will begin with a churchyard tour at 10.30am. That, and other tours throughout the day, will be conducted by local historians and horticulturalists.

At 11am Miss Bermuda, Katherine Arnfield, portraying the lovely bride, will step from an elegant carriage, along with her “groom”, to welcome guests at the front entrance of the church. Enhancing the fantasy, a fine “topiary” horse will stand in its leather traces at the front of the carriage.

“Will Collieson did the frame for us, and we will be working until the last minute to get the foliage attached,” Club member Joy Nash said.

Other “brides” and “grooms”, the latter of whom will include Bermudian Olympian Tucker Murphy, will mingle with guests at ‘Kirkdale Farm’ and ‘The Coccoon.”

The brides will wear beautiful gowns sourced by Garden Club member Sylvie Elliott, with Miss Arnfield’s dress being described as “absolutely gorgeous”.

At 11.05am the Christ Church hand bell choir will perform from the interior balcony, and at noon pianist Tony Bari will play for an hour.

Like any wedding, many hands have been involved in the preparations for Saturday’s ‘Wedding in May’, the aim of which is to ensure that guests enjoy the best possible experience on the day.

In paying tribute to them all, Mrs. Nash said that members’ husbands had been drafted in to handle parking; Penne Leseur was heading a team of 40 hostesses; while Anna Fulton, Karen Smith, Carol Sims and Joanne Hunt spearheaded the organisational team.

Guests arriving by car are advised to follow the signs on Middle Road to Christ Church, where they will be directed where to park. Kirkdale Drive is located directly across from the front entrance of the church, and Police will be on hand to assist pedestrians crossing the road. Please note: there will be no parking on Kirkdale Drive, or at ‘Kirkdale Farm’ or ‘The Cocoon’.

Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for children aged 11 to 18, while children under ten will be admitted free.

This is a major fundraiser for the Garden Club, and all proceeds will go to its scholarship fund and community-related environmental projects.

“A traditional Bermuda wedding is a joyous occasion, so please mark your calendars for what promises to be a very special day,” a Club spokesperson said.

For further information visit website: gardenclubofbermuda.org and click on open houses and gardens.