Background
Andrew and I met and became friends at wrestling shows, he wrestled and I took alot of pictures of big sweaty men as a photographer for a few companies across the UK wrestling scene. We both quit at around the same time and didn't meet again untill I ordered a dvd from amazon and he was filling in for someone else on their postie round. We chatted for ages, which led to regular tea breaks (just as friends). Eventually we started seeing each other just casually, in fact I do like to tease him with what he said to me a few months into our relationship- 'I'm not looking for anything serious you know!'
Theme
Vintage glamour! I asked all our guests to dress in 1920's - 40's attire as I love those era's. We married at Stanton House Hotel in Wiltshire, we chose it because the ceremony room and ground were just fabulous! Huge chandeliers and lovely countryside! My colours were purple, pinks, ivory and a touch of sage green. On the tables were birdcages dressed with pink/ivory roses and pearls.
The night before
12 of us went down to the venue to do a rehersal and dress the rooms, tie the chair sashes and checked the music played ok. One of my hubby's ushers was travelling down 200 miles and we had to buy him a suit that day as he'd been unavailable due to university to get one beforehand so it was touch and go as to whether it would fit!! He got a call at 8pm to say that his friend had arrived, so the boys raced off for pizza! I told my hubby I'd meet him at the alter and he said he'd wait all day and night for me in case I changed my mind!!
My 3 daughters who were bridesmaids all stayed at my house (the eldest is 20 and has her own place) we got pizza and watched our favourite show (The Mighty Boosh). I knew I would'nt sleep so I bought some wine to help relax me and although we had an awesome night gigling like mad ultimately the wine still never helped as I never slept a wink!!
The big day
We had a long standing joke that I would get so nervous that I may do a runner on the morning so my girls were supposed to be on guard in case I tryed to leg it!! Ironically it turned out my eldest daughter was so scared of having to walk down the isle first she said she'd gladly go with me!! In the end we both snuck out at 7am to go to the local shops for some optrex and cakes and the other girls never even knew we left!!
At 11pm we had our hair appointments at a local salon but my eldest and middle daughters (Becca and Amy) had to take their huge bumpits down as they didn't look right, way to 60's! Poor Becca was in floods of tears at home because on top of having to go down the isle first she just didn't feel comfortable 'looking like amy winehouse!' After we sorted her hair and she dressed and did her make-up she was fine!!
Our photographers were friends of Amy's from school, both who've finnished their first years photography courses. We decked them out in black trousers and polo shirts with 'PAPARAZZI' printed on the back, purple bow ties and black bowler hats. They got to the venue at 2pm to take all the grooms pics to save time.
By 2.30pm we are all ready to go, hair, nails, makeup and dressed in our finery! My FIL had booked a limo as a surprise which was awesome! We get in the limo and are about to drive off when I realise I've left the memory key with the first dance music on it on the lounge table!! As I get back out of the limo my heel gets stuck in the floaty material! I'm hopping to try not to fall over, then.......RIIIIIIIIP!!! My dress now has a one inch tear at the bottom!! Luckily it was'nt too visible so in Great British tradition I just keep calm and carry on!!
Everybodies nervous as we approach the venue, looking down the great drive at the hotel and surrounding was beautiful and calmed me instantly. We had some pics done with the limo and while the other guests were locked in the ceremony room (so they couldn't see us) we entered and went to see the registrar. All too quickly it was time and my daughters took their places in a row to walk down the isle. We chose Pachelbels' Canon in D as entrace music. My mother and I were hidden to the side and after my youngest had gone we both appeared in the doorway and now it was my turn!!
My hubby's face was awesome as I walked down the isle, he just looked so starry eyed and proud! Thats all I remember of walking in, I actually had to go back inside later to see what the other flowers were like as I just never looked at all during the whole ceremony/register signing. During the ceremomy I was so nervous my dress literally was shaking with me! The tension was broken though as my hubby's neice got hold of her mums phone and set a message tone off! She took her little daughter outside but the next thing you see is her running after her 3 year old right outside the window! It was soo hilarious! Even the registrar was trying not to laugh!!
We signed the register to Vivaldi's autumn and winter and had pics done, then we walked out to Verdi's La Traviata (drinking song). We had such a fabulous day, surrounded by family, young and old and our closest/oldest friends. The speech's were hilarious, the cake delicious (the chocolate tier had a rocky road filling) and I on thinking back I wouldn't have changed a thing! Later I asked my hubby for his favourite moment and he said 'seeing you appear, you looked perfect'. My favourite moment was when he grabbed my hands and turned to face me during the vows, I swear I nearly melted on the spot!!
Reception
We'd learnt to jive for our first dance and had planned to dance to 'Rock around the clock' but 2 weeks beforehand my poor hubby got whiplash in an accident. It was touch and go as to whether we'd dance at all as he had alot of neck pain and stiffness still. In the end we decided to go for it, with just a much slower song, I have to say my nerves set in all over again!! It was ok though, everybody was surprised and they clapped and cheered around the dancefloor! No one expected my big ex wrestler would ever learn to jive and I got to waer a second dress 
All in all it was the best day we have ever had, everybody was so happy and it was awesome to see how everything we'd planned came together!
Pics to follow shortly! ;p
