Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Canary
Beginner August 2013

**Finished!** Canary's Wedding Report

Canary, 6 October, 2013 at 12:49 Posted on Planning 0 57

Lets Start At The Beginning

I really am not very good at writing. I mean I can do essays and reports but as me to write about my experiences or keep a diary and it very quickly goes downhill. So in the manner of another famous CB, here’s the short version for those who don’t fancy having to read through my waffle.

Got married, laughed, went on a bouncy castle, laughed more, danced a lot, got laid (surprisingly). Boom.

Alternatively this 6 minute video captures everything about the day:

The rehearsal was fantastic, everyone laughed constantly, there were so many jokes being made and both Mat and I could not keep a straight face during the 'why I' part of the vows. Our vicar is our squadron padre and we have know him for years and we started to get a flavour of how personal the ceremony was going to be as he knew us so well. It was an excellent night and really bought everyone together, starting to get excited. Back to the pub for another swift drink with the Aussies who had made their way from London to Essex that day and then back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.

Friday was a odds and sods day until we could get into the hall so we picked up some last minute bits and then headed to the hall about 4. Once we got in it was all systems go and it was amazing seeing the transformation! Every family member helped out in one way or the other. My mum made 120 placemats, my mother in law made 200m of bunting, my sister in law baked us a cake for the cake table, and step mother in law did the flowers. It was amazing seeing everyone pull together and help us achieve the day we’d envisaged. We also ended up with two videos in the 5 days before the wedding, which I am so happy that we took those chances. We are still waiting for the second but that has full recordings of the ceremony/speeches etc. I won't bore you with the details but will provide a before and after flash!



There was a slight issue which I've named 'bag-gate' with some of the flowers that my step mil provided. They were meant for the loos (which I never wanted but she did) and she put them in gift bags which had a headless bride on the side! Very weird but a quick word to the caterers and I was ensured they wouldn't be there the next day!


And that was that, it was time to head to my mums where I found she'd decorated the house especially, included bunting out the back saying 'good luck Monica (steph)!' A quick pizza and a natter and it was time for bed!

57 replies

Latest activity by HappyBrownFlowers133, 18 June, 2024 at 10:47
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    And now for something completely different…

    I’d been counting down for approximately 430ish days and finally my countdown said 0! Woke up with a text from my MIL saying ‘Morning’ – random! After a bit of a natter with Jade in bed (in which she compared this day to when she woke up on the morning she was flying in a harrier. Something that consequently had me in hysterics) my mum realised we were awake and came upstairs. She was very overexcited, doing a little dance etc!

    The rest of the morning went pretty slow and steady; jades boyfriend dropped off my silver sixpence and a lot of prosecco and orange juice, Abi turned up, we did everyone’s nails and started on the shower timetable, danced around a bit, Abi got us all using an app on her phone where you rate the guys that come up, had some bucks fizz and sort of slowly got things together. At about 0930ish, my flowers, bridesmaid 3 (Charlotte) and the hairdresser turned up at the same time.

    Now the flowers were…interesting especially baring in mind the bags last night! Mat’s step mum had done them for us and frankly, I always knew that she wasn’t going to quite grasp the concept as she’s very traditional. The bridesmaid bouquets were stunning, the ladies sprays were gorgeous, the guy’s buttonholes were meh but ok (although Mat had a crystal in his which after a prompt phone call to the best man was removed). Mine looked like it had half a tree attached to it. It was huge! So we waited a while but eventually, my mum cut the ferns off! Ta Da – transformation complete! Although it’s not what I would have liked in an ideal world but I liked it a lot more without the extra foliage!

    Before and After!



    During this, girls were getting hair done, Hannah our amazing wonderful awesome photographer turned up and quickly settled in, my dad turned up and I was just sort of wondering around. Soon enough it was my time for hair whilst the girls got their dresses on and then Hannah sort of suggested it might take a while to get my dress on so we should start on that. I got dressed in the kitchen with mum and Charlotte whilst my Dad and the other girls sat in the front room. Last touch was the veil that my mum made for me the week before the wedding! It seemed to take forever but suddenly I was all ready to rock and roll. Cue the ‘big reveal’ to dad and I really enjoyed that moment. Everyone got a bit teary but couldn’t stop laughing as well at certain things, such as Jades statement of 'I said I wasn't going to cry' as she reached for the tissues!

    We had some time which meant I got some additional photos done in the back garden. As this was going on, the cars arrived at the front. Now I had never cared about transport throughout the whole thing and was just going to call a taxi but mum refused so I tasked her with sorting it. So I had no idea what was turning up. The cars were awesome! VW camper van for the bridesmaids & mum and a 1946 Ford Tudor Sedan Deluxe HOT ROD called ‘Follie’ for me & dad. However, we were stupidly early so had to go back inside (I attempted to use the toilet upstairs – tricky!) and chill out for a bit. Hannah went ahead to the church in a taxi and eventually we were good to go.

    Dad and I had such a laugh on the way to the church. We did a selfie picture, sang ‘brave Sir Robin ran away’ (will make sense to any monty python fans) and basically scrapped any chance of being serious. He said to me at one point ‘I feel like I should be giving you some guidance and advice’ to which I replied that I think we’ve had enough advice and guidance during some drunken times! We got to the church and were still early, despite having stopped and let the bridesmaids go ahead so we drove around a bit more. On the way to the church for the second time, we passed some guests walking up the high street so I was heckling them out the window for being late!










    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    We were finally allowed to the church and there was quite a gathering of people outside! I was still completely and utterly calm at this point, as I had been all morning. We got everything and everyone sorted, I on the spur of the moment decided that I didn’t want my veil over my face and suddenly it was time to go in. The music starts and the girls are going in twos (one big, one little together). It’s our turn to go but I realise that we’ve all gone too quickly so I pull dad back (which I’ve since found out that he thought I was having second thoughts!). At this point, I lose it and say to dad ‘I’m losing it, I’m losing it’. The music finally hits the right point and we walk in, and I was welling up/crying until I got to the front and my composure suddenly returned. Mat whispered to me that I looked beautiful, followed swiftly by telling me that Saggs, the best man had forgotten the buttonholes for all the other best men. Which I found funny, although I learnt afterwards that my SMIL wasn’t very happy about it!

    The service was amazing; I didn’t think it was possible to laugh so much during a marriage ceremony! We had Jerusalem, god is my strength and refuge (dambusters tune) and vow to thee my country as our hymns which really got everyone going. Our readings were Corinthians, read by one of the best men and 'Always Love Each Other' read by one of our bridesmaids. The vicar was our squadron padre who we’ve known for years so there were so many small comments which were personal to us, and his address was perfect. He used the advert from the RSPCA ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ and compared marriage to that, which got some laughs and now everyone keeps saying ‘a wife is for life, not just for Christmas!’. We said our vows (very clearly apparently) and were announced husband and wife. After a few more hymns, we went out to sign the register which caused a bit of a kerfuffle with Mat's side of the family who hadn't been at the rehearsal but I didn't find this out until the next day. The whole service was my favourite part of the whole day as it was just so personal to us.

    We went out to sign the register and then it was time to leave the church. We went out the theme tune from A Bridge Too Far, which is a really upbeat piece of military music and the film is one of our favourites but it was a nice surprise for our guests too.

    We got out of the church and there was this really awkward moment, when no one would approach us. We laughed it off and just started hugging everyone! My veil soon came off as it was being pulled and I’m not sure it went back on. We did the confetti shot and then it was off to the reception. I was upset that I didn’t get to go in Mat’s car which he turned up in as it looked awesome!













    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    The Reception

    The fete games had only been delivered that morning so as we drove past, it was fantastic seeing it all set up. Some of our guests had got there before us so we said hello to them and Hannah went off to take some pictures of the details in the hall. I grabbed a pimms (which I think was the only drink I got to finish all day!) and said hello to people as they arrived.






    Hannah then called Mat, the bridesmaids and I over to take some pictures in front of the cars before they left which was a good laugh.





    After we’d done this, we walked back over to the fete and seeing everyone enjoyed themselves using all the games was fantastic! We mingled a bit and got on the bouncy castle ourselves which was so much fun. I kept falling over and ended up having to be rescued by my lovely bridesmaids. Mat then went off and played cricket trying to replicate the ashes with my Australian relatives whilst I did some more mingling and tried some of the candy floss out.












    Soon it was time for the official photos and I didn’t realise what a fun part of the day they were going to be! My dad and I started singing Monty Python ‘Brave Sir Robin Ran Away’ again and somehow two coconut halves were produced. Cue dad cantering round a la monty python and then I joined him. Eventually my Dad said to Mat that it’s his turn and Mat exaggerated his bad timing with me by his side. It was so much fun!




    We then had the bridesmaids & best men shot which started out with us all in a straight line but soon after, Hannah decided to get us all on the bouncy castle. It was hilarious – the guys were rugby tackling each other, having bounce offs and it’s a surprise there isn’t a picture of my knickers as I fell over so much! We ended up all lying in a line on the front of the castle which is one of my favourite pictures.




    More formal photos followed and then it was more or less time for dinner.



    Me, my mum and my siblings

    We didn’t really have a formal entrance and I had to ask one of our cadet helpers to announce the speeches as I’d forgotten to ask anyone else but she did a fab job. My dad was up first before the starter and gave a cracking speech. Unfortunately we had some sound issues so not many people could hear him so he didn’t get a lot of laughs which he is quite disappointed with.


    Once he finished, our caterers served the starter which was antipasti so think large plates of meats, sundried tomatoes, cheese, salad, bread, humus. It was stunning and the big plates meant that everyone had to talk which was fantastic. We’d also put foam aeroplanes on everyone’s placemat so these were put together quite quickly and soon the hall was filled with flying planes. Everyone enjoyed that, apart from me as I was a bit uncomfortable sitting down in my dress and a bit tired and hungry so they were annoying me a bit but glad we did it.



    Next up was Mat once the starter was finished. His speech was great, he thanked everyone, made everyone laugh, put a disclaimer on the best mans speech, said one sentimental thing about me and then proceeded to make a load of jokes about marriage which had everyone in stitches. It was a really good speech and he was really calm which was great. At this point the main was served which was paella. It was served buffet style and it worked really well with two different queues. The paella was gorgeous as well although I only had a couple of mouthfuls.



    Once the main was over, Hannah took Mat and I outside to have a few more pictures of the two of us. We were sitting on a bench and she said to Mat at one point to whisper something dirty in my ear. So his dirty phrase…Haagen dazs!? This caused me to crack up and there are some very unattractive photos of this part!


    Back in the hall and it was time for the best mans speech. Saggs took the stage and started off by wishing my granddad Happy Birthday and asking everyone to stand up and sing to him. It was a brilliant moment, my granddad loved it and it’s very lucky that it even happened as my Granddad came up to Mat just before the speech and said that they were about to leave but the speech was announced so they said that they would stay for that. Phew! The main speech then started with the best man impersonating Mat, talking about a number of old stories and then he invited Mat and I up on stage for a game of Mr& Mrs using ping pong bats. It was a great laugh and we got a lot of the answers the same which sort of ruining the game a bit! It was a great end to that part of the day and the guests were then asked to make their way outside so that the room could be moved around.




    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    The Evening

    Everyone moved outside apart from my mum and one of my bridesmaids who started setting up the cake table with everyone’s cakes that they had bought. I changed my headband to my glittery evening band and put on my sparkly shrug. I loved this look and part of me wishes I had worn it all day.

    Outside, Hannah suggested moving the tug of war forward so we got the rope out and spilt in to teams; bride vs. groom! Now apparently I had a lot of people on my team but I was at the front so I didn’t see but what I do know is that we won the first two pulls. Now on the third, the grooms team played an age old trick and let the rope go as soon as we started pulling. Luckily I had clocked on but some people (and kids) didn’t and went right on the floor in all their finery. Did anyone care – no! The best man had a lovely grass stain all across the back of his white shirt.











    Oh and this happened which I think is the cutest picture ever!





    The wooden spoon went to my Australian relatives who decided they wanted to enter:



    The two highly recommended were:



    Strawberry Surprise (It was chocolate cake) Rainbow Cake

    3rd:


    2nd:


    1st (Mat and I do a lot of mountain walking and this was amazing – I didn’t know who had done it until I announced!)



    We (well basically I) told (shouted) that we were going to cut the cheese. One of my bridesmaids approached us and told us that the cake had collapsed because it was so hot! It was literally on the floor as we went over and Mat and I couldn’t stop laughing! It was so funny and we soon rescued it and cut it anyway.



    Before After!

    We then went straight onto the first dance. Mat hates dancing and I tried to convince him that we didn’t need a first dance but he was too traditional not to do it. So we picked ‘Without You’ by David Guetta as it is very upbeat and throughout the day I briefed a fair few people that once the first verse had gone that everyone should come and join us so we weren’t centre of attention. We started dancing in our usual crap way so we probably looked like complete idiots! At the first chorus, our bridesmaids joined it but that was it. Eventually more people caught on including two of the best men dancing together as well as my lovely hitchers who came and soon the song was over.




    The rest of the evening went in a bit of a blur and I don’t have as many photos to guide me through it but highlights included:

    Guests crazy dancing









    One of our friends trying on my shrug


    Getting glass in my foot


    Guests doing the dirty dancing lift (See video for further evidence!)



    Scissor Sisters high notes hitting the limiter which shut all the power off. Cue getting out 200 glow sticks



    The kids writing us a message with glow sticks


    Being given about 10 drinks but not finishing one

    Getting to 9.30 and wondering how I was going to make it another 2 hours!

    Wondering how Flow and Funky went from sober to one the floor drunk in about 90 minutes!


    From This^^^




    Kneeling on the floor for a photo as Flow kept moaning she was a midget


    Final dance in a huge circle to Queen – We are the champions

    Basically it was a bit of a party and ended with guests stringing out bunting for us to follow into the taxi at the end of the night. Our family and friends helped tidy everything up after we left which apparently only took about 30 minutes which I’m very impressed with!

    As for us, we went to Pontlands Hotel and cracked open a bottle of prosecco which we drank from the mugs in the room. Mat unlaced my dress at which point a load of confetti fell out and well, I’ll spare you the rest of the details but I went to sleep a very satisfied, happy and little bit tipsy married women!



    And that was that! The wedding over and operation complete. The next day we had breakfast in bed, went to pick up various bits from various family members and relived our favourite bits. Oh and my mum gave us the most amazing gift. I’ve flashed below but its hand stitched using all of the fabric from our wedding; the bunting, my dress, the placemats, my veil (which my mum made) and the personalised ribbon. I think it is such a thoughtful and fantastic gift. We then drove home, packed and drove straight up for our minimoon in the Lake District.


    For me, the whole day was summed up by something that Mat said to me the next morning – ‘I didn’t realise it could be that epic’. I had planned this for so long and constantly worried that things weren't going to come together but they did and far exceeded all of my expectations.

    Here’s a link to the full set of Hannah’s photos: https://issuu.com:443/hannahmillardphotography/docs/stephmat

    And also a link to the video: https://vimeo.com/72143385

    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    N&P’s

    Photographer: Hannah Millard Photography

    Bouncy Castle, Popcorn & Candy Floss: KBL Event Hire https://www.kbleventhire.co.uk/

    Fete Games: Fete Game Hire http://www.fetegamehire.com/

    Cars: https://www.1950americanclassics.com/

    Fairy lights: https://cinemattag.com/

    Any questions about anything else – let me know ?

    • Reply
  • Kjay
    Beginner August 2013
    Kjay ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Eh eh eh stop juicing and get posting woman! Smiley winking

    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    The pictures are taking too long! Gonna have to do it later when I've dropped boy at the airport Smiley smile

    • Reply
  • *Pugsley*
    Beginner March 2014
    *Pugsley* ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Noooo, you can't keep us hanging like this!!

    • Reply
  • Mrs C
    Beginner March 2011
    Mrs C ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    I have just watched your video and cried. There is so much love and fun and happiness in it!

    And a few familiar faces Smiley winking

    • Reply
  • B
    Beginner September 2014
    beckimas ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Love the video...what a beautiful day you had! Did you hire a videographer to do it? Can't wait to see more pics x

    • Reply
  • C
    Beginner November 2013
    cath4512 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Absolutely love your video....the love between you shines out xx

    • Reply
  • *MM3*
    Beginner June 2014
    *MM3* ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Lovely video..you look so happy! Can't wait for the rest!

    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    Our photographer actually did this for us. It's a new service she's offering and we were her guinea pigs!

    • Reply
  • alyj66
    VIP August 2014
    alyj66 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    The video was lovely and I now know that I want one too ? Your day looks wonderful, loads of fun and so so pretty.

    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Right that's going to have to be it for tonight as the pictures are taking too long! Will upload the rest tomorrow ?

    • Reply
  • Kjay
    Beginner August 2013
    Kjay ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Love it.

    I am getting slightly freaked out though... further to our husbands being scarily similar in wedding related thoughts- my Pops also sorted out transport for me as a surprise- I had a VW camper too and also I totally lost it when the girls walked down the aisle and I was waiting at the top with my Pa- the vicar had to give me a tissue when I got to the front!

    • Reply
  • *MM3*
    Beginner June 2014
    *MM3* ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Lovely pics so far Smiley smile Look forward to the rest!!

    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    Haha the similarities are endless!! Smiley laugh

    • Reply
  • *Mini*
    Beginner January 2012
    *Mini* ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Oh bugger me my lovely, ive just sobbed like a baby along to your video.

    You day looked perfect, so much fun, love and laughter shines through every single guests face.

    Congratulations. xx

    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Thanks everyone, I have to say that the video is my favourite part of the whole day!

    I'm just adding the pictures to the reception part - quite a lot of them!

    *Reception done but Hitched is no longer playing games! Will have to wait for the evening ones Smiley smile*

    • Reply
  • InWineTheresTruth
    Beginner July 2015
    InWineTheresTruth ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    I absolutely loved your video!! X

    • Reply
  • Trish2014
    Beginner June 2014
    Trish2014 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Wow, your video is absolutely fab - it's caught the atmosphere so well and it looks like it was such a fun and happy day all round. Loving your photos too and looking forward to seeing the rest!

    • Reply
  • Ohwhatatuesday
    Beginner May 2014
    Ohwhatatuesday ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Wow it's all absolutely amazing. The video is just beautiful - and what a lovely snapshot of the day. Beautifully written report so far, your day looked like tons of fun and full of love and happiness - exactly what a wedding should be! Your bit about you and your dad singing in the car has made me well up! And I can't believe the fantastic transformation of the village hall - it looks stunning. It all looks perfect and your dress is gorgeous too. Can't wait to read the rest. Congratulations.

    • Reply
  • SunnyOrangeFlowers21
    Beginner August 2014
    SunnyOrangeFlowers21 ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    What a lovely happy, fun wedding. Many many congratulations.

    • Reply
  • *J9*
    VIP March 2014
    *J9* ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Wow, looks like you had an amazing day. Congratulations

    • Reply
  • miss pickle
    Beginner June 2014
    miss pickle ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Congratulations ;-) Looks like an amazing day and I love your video ❤️

    • Reply
  • C
    Beginner April 2014
    cearstaidh ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    WOW!! Looks like you had the most awesomly fun day ever! Huge congratulations! Looking forward to reading the full report!

    • Reply
  • Helenia
    Beginner September 2011
    Helenia ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Write more!

    • Reply
  • *Pugsley*
    Beginner March 2014
    *Pugsley* ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    LOVE your report so far... and finally got a chance to watch your video.

    Everything looks absolutely amazing.

    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    Haha it's all written but hitched wouldn't play ball with adding the pictures in last night :p will update tonight - promise!

    • Reply
  • Canary
    Beginner August 2013
    Canary ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Bump! All done Smiley smile

    • Reply
  • *gnashers*
    Beginner October 2013
    *gnashers* ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Yea, it was an alright wedding, I suppose.

    Love. It. All.

    Especially the cheeeeeeeeeeeeese.


    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×


Related articles

Premium members

  • Q
    Qa Test I got married in August - 2022 North Yorkshire

General groups

Hitched article topics

Contest icon

Win £3,000 for your wedding

Join Hitched Rewards, where you can win £3,000 simply by planning your wedding with us. Start collecting entries, it's easy and free!

Enter now