I'm back and Im married - Eeyorings wedding report. *With Flashes*

This is so sweet already, I can tell this will be a good report! More more more!

This is lovely already can't wait for more!!

S x

The first thing we did was start to gather together images of colour schemes and styles we liked. I kept showing themes to my other half and over a pub lunch and a few pints we settled on a Black and white scheme. I was quietly pleased it was decided easily and we could move onto picking a date. We did this by working out what stuff costs and what we could save each month and as a result projecting the number of months it would take to save. We settled on midsummers day 2012. Longest day of the year. Surely it would be a beautiful hot summers day...

Oi, I came on this morning expecting the rest of this... get typing!! ?

I want to read the rest ........

Same! You can't tease us like this!

And the prize for the slowest wedding report ever goes to....

Sorry folks was back at work all day yesterday..

So I got my dress in Ireland. On tour with work. I was just passing a shop with a sale on and went in for a look. An hour later I was phoning a friend to come and lend me some cash. I hadn't planned on actually making a purchase and was only seeing what suited me but I found myself swirling around staring in the mirror feeling like a princess. When I put the next dress on I realised I was still talking about the other one. It was an end of line dress and if I wanted it I had to buy it there and then. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving and someone else buying my dress but I didnt have enough cash myself. My mate went halves with me and I agreed to pay her back week by week. Sale made we walked across Dublin with a huge white bag between us and begged the wardrobe department of the show I was touring with the ship it back home with the costumes. two weeks later the dress gets smuggled into my mothers wardrobe out of site.

Now to book a venue.

I'd always wanted the tumble down ruins and the fairy lights. A romantic windswept castle version of the Ross and Emily Friends wedding. Those programmes should come with a warning of impossible dreams on them! It just isn't achievable. We discovered you can get married outside in Scotland but not in England. So outside was out as we wanted somewhere easy for everyone to get to. We looked at having a simple office service then a marquee outside in the country. A local park was our dream spot, offering ruins as well as fab countryside but the costs were way over what we could afford and we couldn't get any response from the park owners. So the brochures kept landing on the mat and we kept sifting through the costs page before looking at anything else.

Eventually after a suggestion from a Hitched member we found Horsley Lodge. It offered flexibility on costs and let us organise our day as we wanted. We made a visit and tried the food in the bar to get an idea. Jo the wedding coordinator was fabulous and after being back home an hour, pacing around the garden anxiously for a bit we made the call and placed the reservation for the date. 21st June 2012, midsummer's day - Booked!

Time to get married..

Time dragged forever over the next year with me chomping at the bit trying to put plans in place. Then all of a sudden it was June and things really started to happen.

The flowers were chosen.
Invites returned and Bridesmaids dresses well underway.

June 16th came and it was time for my fiance to pick me up from work and take me back home. The next morning he would be delivering me to my hen do.

Keep it coming!

Hen Do.

I work in london but live in Leicester while my friends and family are Sheffield based. I also have a lot of pregnant friends so it had to be a baby friendly day. It had been a difficult task to find a hen do day that I could get to so once the date (dictated by the end of my contract) had been decided all planning was handed over to my chief bridesmaid. When the time came I knew only that I was to be dropped at my mother’s for 11.30am. My fiancé left me there and I was sad to see him go having not seen him for ages and only having had the one night together. But excitement took its place and I was eager to see friends I'd not seen in a long time.

We arrived at a little craft centre in the Derbyshire countryside and I was taken upstairs in a cafe where all my friends were surrounding a table laid out for girly lunch like a kids tea party. There were party hats and balloons and specially made bunting. It was lovely. We had party games and a quiz where my OH had been asked questions about me and I had to guess his answers. He had said some really lovely things, some I knew straight away and some really surprised me. In answer to what song would get her on the dance floor he said She won’t know this but when she's drunk its always Stevie Wonder Superstition. He was right. I would never have said that but when it came on at the wedding I was up there dancing. Maybe he knows me better than I know me.

After lunch I was given a wonderful book full of photos and memories from friends and family. It was amazing and made me cry. The afternoon was to bring an activity suitable for my 92year old Gran. It was pottery painting and we all had a lot of fun choosing something to paint and then getting messy. Later we headed to a pub for food and drinking. The girls made me wear my party hat and balloons all evening which was funny in a country pub on a Sunday. Drunk and happy I was in bed by midnight ready for my hair and makeup trial the next day.

I did pottery painting too! Some of the results were lovely. However, the glazing process didn't improve others!

Keep it coming!

The next day

The next morning with a little bit of a headache but bouncing out of bed at 7.30 I was raring to go. We had hair and make up trials to go to around the country and I also it was the first time I would see my tiara and all my bouquets that my mum had been making in my absence.

I hadn’t realized how nervous my mum had been about getting it all right for me until I declared I loved it all and she physically relaxed. It was all beautiful. Having silk flowers meant that we were able to see it all ahead of time and do a little bit of tweaking We agreed to add a few extra beads and twinkles trailing around the bridesmaid’s bouquets and made them slightly looser but honesty it was all pretty much perfect.

Then I had to print out all the photos that I had gathered of family wedding photographs. I sat cutting them out and enjoyed a quiet moment or reflection at all my lovely friends and family that had got married before me.

Then it was time to pile back into the car with my Mum and Sister and drive to my trials. Make up first and we flicked through an album of ideas before diving in and giving it a go. I was so relaxed and in no time at all was being handed a mirror. Looking back at me was a face with the make up Id always wished I could do myself. There I was Smokey eyes with curled lashes and a massive grin. I was happy. I had worried about it feeling heavy or looking not like me. It was perfect. Exactly what I wanted.

Back in the car we set out for the hair dressers house. I was ushered through into the back of the house and was settled into a fully equipped salon. Again we chatted through ideas, looking at pictures and then giving it a go. I was less certain what could be achieved with my hair having asked for a curly up do and having poker straight hair. It took a little while to let the rollers do their work while we had a cuppa and talked through bridesmaids hair. By the time by rollers came out I could see that having curls was not going to be a problem. A little tugging and teasing and suddenly I had a hair do that I never ever could have created myself. I felt like a princess and couldn’t feel a single hair grip or pulled hair. Suddenly it really hit me that I was getting married.

On the way back home my mum pulled into a McDonalds car park and we set about taking out all the pins and removing my make up. I really didn’t want to but Id promised my man that I wouldn’t ruin the surprise for wedding day. We got home and I was so excited to see him. His parents had come over from France to stay with us and his sisters who hadn’t been able to come to the hen do were all coming round with their families. It was the first time my Mum had met any of them and I was so glad she could before the wedding. We had a good old catch up and the sun was shining so we were able to spill out into the back garden. We all prayed this weather would hold out till Thursday.

After a couple of hours people drifted off home with big smiles and “see you at the weddings” and we settled down in front of the tv for our first do nothing evening in a long long time.

Last day to do jobs

Tuesday saw me off to the hairdressers to have my roots bleached. I got there to find my hairdresser massively pregnant so there were congratulations all round. Roots done my OH picked me up and we headed to Marks and Spencer to pick up our cake. They kept us waiting ages outside the back at the collect by car bit while various people kept sticking their heads out saying there was a problem with the computer and checking the details. I pretended it was fine but inside I was starting to get a little anxious.

Eventually a man with a trolley came out and loaded our separated tiers into the car. We laid them out across the dining room table and with the in-laws out for the afternoon we took a deep breath and slid them out of their boxes to decorate. We’d planned a design to match our invited to be painted on the top and had even done a practice run but in the end my other half picked up a couple of our spare silk flowers and arranged them on the top declaring it was beautiful. A ring of ribbon around each layer and we decided simple and elegant was best. We measure out our supporting rods, stuck em in and packed it away ready to be stacked at the venue. A job my OH happily said he could do and I hoped he was right.

It turned out later I need not have worried.

That evening was list, lists, more lists and packing of my suitcase. Not only did I need my stuff for the wedding and our weekend away but also for going straight back to London for work on the Monday. Once I was packed I laid out all of my OH’s stuff on the dining room table, cake, video camera, outfits, honeymoon opera tickets, and a long list of other essentials. I knew once Id got on the train the next morning there would be no hope of locating lost items.

Confident I was ready we poured some well earned drinks and relaxed.

I want to read more and see more pics too please. We're having our reception at Horsley Lodge next year ?

Just at work, about to do a show but will add more on after work. With pictures. Horsley Lodge were great.

Thanks x

I've soooo been looking forward to this! Can't wait to hear the rest ?

The day before

Up early I had to get on a train at 10am to meet my Mum at the dress shop in Sheffield. My OH drove me to the station and we said goodbye. Him stating it was a silly tradition that kept us apart the night before the most important day of our lives and me agreeing but knowing there was no way I was breaking this tradition. So like a pair of very soppy things we parted. I met my mum at the dress shop and there hanging up was my dress and all the bridesmaid dresses. It was the first time I’d seen the bridesmaid dresses other than by phone messages so it was great to finally see them finished. I was expecting to try my dress on again but she said it was all pressed and ready to go so I left it encased. With the dresses in the car I nipped around the corner to get a card for my OH and then it was back to my Mums to load up the car for the final time. My mum went into organization over drive while I paced up and down the living room getting more and more impatient.

What seemed like an eternity later everything was in the car. And we set off to the venue. I was excited and impatient and just wanted to be there. My sister was already there and had unloaded her car into my wedding apartment. I felt I was missing out by not being there. When we arrived we continued organization mode and unpacked our car. The apartment was full. Stuff everywhere. Things were organized into piles of me getting ready, the room getting ready and a pile of gifts, stuff to be worked on etc.

So my mum and step dad say they're off to check into their room before we meet other family for food in the hotel restaurant. Suddenly I'm nervous and I don't want them to go. My tummy is full of butterflys and I start trying to find things for them to do. They remind me that we're meeting the others in only 15 min so I decide to find a nice place to hang my dress and lay out all my accesories shoes etc. It is lovely to see all my carefully selected items together. I have a quick bounce on the huge bed and then head down for dinner. The knot in my stomach still there. Im happy but nervous.

During dinner I cant relax. Everyone is being lovely but I'm thinking about the last few jobs that need doing. I have bridesmaids on route to help me out. During the meal I get two texts. We've suddenly lost 3 people so the table plan needs redoing. I get a bit peaved that they let us know so late. I dont know at this point but we'll have another two drop out on the wedding morning. Back at the appartment I rearrange the table plan. Its fairly easy and we manage to lose a whole table by shuffling people around. I wisk that to reception and set everyone to task sorting name cards and favours into piles for each table. I know some aren't done yet due to late rsvps so we sort through and get them organised.

The time is flying by and Im told to sit down and relax. Champagne is thrust into my hand and Im assured that everything is ready. The family leave me with just two of my bridesmaids. We sit and chat a bit but Im struggling to relax. Eventually I kick them out and run a bath. It takes forever to fill giving me time to wrap some gifts and tidy up. After being bathed buffed and moisturised I sat down to write a card to my OH. I was now feeling calm and the knot in my stomach had gone. I climbed into bed and looked at my dress hanging there ready for me. I was ready.

My big day was about to begin.

Can't wait for the next part!

Wedding Day

Its finally here!

I jump out of bed with my alarm at 7am. Wide awake I am like Tigger bouncing around. A quick shower and Im off to meet my Mum and Step Dad for breakfast.

I didnt think Id be hungry but in no time at all Ive put away a full english breakfast. I dont think it touched the sides and I could have easily eaten two. My sister and her husband are soon there too and my mum has a big box wrapped and waiting for me. I can see it under the table but she keeps it hidden till we've eaten. When I open it she has got me a piglet toy and dressed it up in a wedding dress and a tiara to match mine. Its very cute and makes me laugh a lot. She tells me my OH has a Pooh one in a suit. (we're having a winnie the pooh reading in the wedding - it does fit in context honestly!) My sister laughs about how piglet is a boy but noone seems to mind. Hugs all round and its onto the next task

We can get into the function room from 8am. There are a few staff milling around setting up chairs and tables and pulling out table linen but generally they're leaving us to it a bit baffled as to why a 3pm wedding has so much activity at 8am. However they are very helpful giving us everything we need when we ask. Bridesmaids turn up and I set them going on putting on chair covers and sash's. Once thats underway my mum sits down with all the table flowers and starts arranging them while I lay out trimmings on each table. Each thing takes a suprisingly long time and I descover that some of my firends shuld never be left alone with helium. People keep telling me that it doesnt all need to be done immediately, that Ive got time but at 10am the hair and make up starts and so far the room looks like a wedding bomb has gone off!

By 9.45 two tables are fully laid out so Im happy that these can be replicated across the others. By 10.05 the photo boards are up, table plan, balloons, cake table, guest book table and gift table are all set out ready. The chairs and screens are being arranged and hair and make up ladies in the appartment setting up. Time to hand over responsibilty. Im not very good at this and it took a bit of doing to finally leave. I had to run back in the room to give my mum with a gift Id forgotten to give her at breakfast - A handkerchief embroidered with "to dry your tears as you have always dried mine" and the date of the wedding. She told me Id got it all muddled as that actually made her cry. But a quick hug and I was off to get myself ready.

I had my rollers put in but then the girls went first with hair and make up. This left me yet again stalking around looking for tasks. Im really not very good at doing nothing at the best of times but they girls kept putting champagne in my hands and forcing me to sit down. Eventually one of them painted my fingers and toes ensuring that I couldnt move for half an hour.

I couldnt believe how beautiful my bridesmaids looked as their hair was all styled to complement each other and make up brought our huge shining eyes.

I know they're all gorgous but I was so proud of them that morning for being the most wonderful friends. Having them around me meant the world to me.

And the hourly knocks on the front door from two of their other halves delivering food and drinks and moving handbags and belongings to the ceremony room gave us a regular time check on the day.

Eventually it was my turn for hair and make up and I began to relax a bit more. Everyone commented on how relaxed I seemed. On the whole I was but every now and again a wave of nerves washed over me and Id take a deep breath ready to enjoy the next stage of the day.

Ooohhh I can't cope with the suspense!!

Loving it so far!

Moooooore.

Also, where did you get your double heart balloon weights from?

At 12 we decide its time to order room service so we can eat before getting into dresses and before the photographer arrives. This doesnt quite go to plan as our photographer arrives at the same time as the food. He makes himself busy upstairs taking pics of the dresses and trimings etc while we stuff food in our mouths. Yet again I am absolutley starving. Its like I havent eaten in weeks.

Food gone we set about getting dressed. Us girls pile upstairs into the bedroom to put on fancy underwear out of site of the camera. Theres a few comedy giggles as we all stop to feel one of our bridesmaids tummies while the baby has a good kick. THen bridesmaid dresses go on and yet again Im in awe of how beautiful my friends are.

Then I have to ask the girls to carry my dress downstairs. The tiny spiral staircase is just too narrow to get down wearing a dress.

This is the moment my Dad arrives. Just in time to stand facing the wall with the photographer as I come down the steps in my heels, tiara, veil and knickers and bra! Very glamerous.

Down on ground level getting into my dress is harder than it had been before as it had always gone over my head. Now my hair and veil are all done I have to step into it. Its not easy and takes 2 bridesmaids to help. Once I've stepped in the photgrapher spins around to capture the girls helping it be done up. The zip goes up like a dream and all my worries about it fitting dissapear.

I give my Dad a gift of a handky which says "to remember the day you gave me away". He doesnt open it there and then. Im now wondering if he left it somewhere as he's never mentioned it. But then he's not one to show his emotions anyway. A few cuddles for my Dad, he asks if Im ok. I nod and grin and we hand out bouquetes. I show the girls which is front and back so the beading shows and we all pose for photographs.

We then play the music that we'll be walking into. Its married life from Up. A few of my friends say how sad it is, but I remeind them not at the begining. Its a love story and my OH chose it. We play it a few times to identify to beat where we'll start walking and eeryone declares its beautiful. We sort out the order for bridesmaids to enter with my sister to organise my train behind me and remember which side me and my Dad stand.

Right Im ready.

Oh no, someone points out that its only 2.15. The service isnt till 3pm.

Q more pacing around and checking details. Im given more champagne and told to sit down and relax while the photgrapher runs off to capture some of my OH and the guests arriving.

By half past Ive decided theres no way Im lasting till after the service without a wee so we get me out of the dress and I dash upstairs. Back in my dress again its now 2.40 and Im standing in the door wishing we could just go do it. Luckily the registrar arrives to check a few details and that distracts me for 15 minutes. She's lovely and it finally feels like were actually going to do this.

The photographer returns stating that all is ready and we can start heading round the corner.

He're my OH waiting int he room as guests arrive.

Double heart balloon weights are from a wholesale suppler store called Country Baskets near Leeds. x

Loving the report ....... More please! ?

The wedding service

I step outside the door and of course it starts to rain. Its been raining all morning but I havent cared in the slightest. The forecast told me it would clear up around 3. it actually stopped around 1pm but right on q big fat blobs fall from the sky. I find I dont care. Not a bit. Im boiling anyway and its refreshing being out in it. I scoop up my dress and we carefully move around the corner from my appartment to the main building.

We arrange ourselves in the corridor in the correct order just as some final guests dash in. I give each one a little peck on the cheak and dont mind. IM glad they made it then not a few moments later. My uncle suddenly appears at the back of the main room and points a camera at me. Im aware of how many people are around that corner now and its a strange feeling. The lady from the venue comes to me. Am I ready? Yep I sure am. She'll start the music when I give her the nod.

I check the girls are ok and turn to my Dad. Ready? Ready. I give the nod and to nerves kick in big style. I grab his hand for dear life as I feel my whole body start to shake. I dont think its really nerves, more the emotion of it all. My legs feel like jelly and my chest is struggling for breath. Im glad Ive given myself 40seconds of the music before I enter.

Its enough to calm a little and my Dad whispers "youre ok. deep breath. you look fabulous". And off we go. I turn the corner to see lots of people. All my favourite people in one place. So many of them I cant focus on them all at once. I feel suddenly shy and have to force myself not to look at the ground. Then I see my OH. Right there, grinning at me

I beem at him and keep walking. Cameras are pointed at me and I still feel very self conscious. The urge to look at te floor very strong but I keep looking at him and Im there, at the front. One Im past the staring faces its easier and I relax my grip on my Dads hand. He stays there with me though until he's asked to sit.

Im not sure if Im meant to but I lean up and give my OH a kiss on the cheak. Its such a relief to be there together finally doing this.

This is me entering. IM holding my flowers way too high. My mum told me IM meant to hold them at my waist so I dont hide my dress. At this point Ive forgotten and just want to be at the front.

My OH's sister does the first reading. The One. Its beautiful but I can bearly hear it over my heart thumping. Its over in a flash and the registrar is saying something about marriage and what it means. Im looking at her and trying to listen. She's talking slowly and calmly but no matter how much I watch her IM mostly focussing on my OH holding my hand and stroking my thumb with his. We squeeze each others hands. Im glad were filming the service so I can actually listen to it later.

THen the registrar asks for my sister to take my flowers and suddenly Im without something in my hand. My OH is sweating and takes a tissue to his forehead. Im bright red. Its so hot in here. (turns out someone had asked for the aircon to be turned off - dont let them do this. you need it cool!)

My Dad is asked to stand and formally give me away. Im reminded of the text he sent my OH when he proposed "sold as seen. no returns" and we smile before he returns to his seat and the formalities begin.

We repeat our declarations. Im amazed my voice appears at the right time and we are both loud enough to be heard.

Then its time to swap rings. My FIL does a comedy moment of pointing to the right ring (like we didnt know) which makes us giggle and adam slipps the ring on my finger. Then its my turn and I do the same.

Now its time to read our vows. My OH wanted us to write them ourselves so theres no help form the registrar here. Were on our own. My OH reads his. Its beautiful and funny. He says he'll be there for me till were old and crazy and I can blow raspberries on his forehead

Then its my turn. Ive got it written on a card. But Ive written it so small I can hardly read it. If your doing this yourself write big. Your hands will be shaking and you cant focus well. I know what it says and paraphrase my way through. Missing out a couple of the more poetic phrasing I get the meaning out there with a shaky voice.

Its done. Im waiting for the words "husband and wife" We did it!

It seems like an eternity till she says he can kiss me. But when it comes Im so happy. We're married. Now we can relax!

There is another reading from one of my bridesmaids. Its Winnie the Pooh. A lovely poem about piglet and pooh and how everything is better when they have each other to turn to. My friend is an actress and read it brilliantly. Im glad we picked it but never before had I realised how many times the word poo is said and we had a little giggle to ourselves.

Now its time to sign the register...

They were from Ebay. I'll dig out the link for you. I'm off to work now. More report to come later tonight. Glad you're enjoying it. Hadn't realised quite how long it takes to write up!

Such a lovely and you look gorgeous ?

We were ushered around the table to sit down and the witnesses, our mums, were called up next to us. I was reminded to sign my main name. I was glad cos Id been wondering about this and could have messed it up big style. As it was the signature I actualy produced was a shaky scribble of my usual one.

That done people were invited to take photos and we had a good laugh watching our relatives barge in front of our photographer. It seamed we were there for ages and it was nolonger stressfull. We could chat when we wanted and reach out to touch each other. Over the chatter I could just about make out the sound of our carefully chosen music. "Concerning hobbits" was my choice and "a message to you rudy" my husbands choice. I think we could have chosen anything and noone would have noticed they were to busy deciding whether to use flash or not.

Its time to do our exit and all the bridesmaids are ushered from their seats to stand next to the main table.

Im brought around the front of the table and theres a weird moment where to allow for my train Im asked to step forward so my OH not knowing whats going on is stood a few foot behind me. We couldnt reach each other and it was a strange feeling. You're so desperate not to do the wrong thing you just stand their like a lemon till someone instructs you

Im trying to catch the eye of my bridesmaids for someone to bring my handbag but everyone is so busy checking theyre doing the right thing that noone at this moment is actually looking at me. I decide it doesnt matter and concentrate on my man. We're both grinning now. Job done. Time to get drunk.

He steps to my side as people are told to stand for our exit. We walk back down the aisle and I remember grinning at my friend.

Leaving is so much easier than exiting. I remember thinking that again the music wasnt very loud. Maybe working in theatre Im used to music making a statement or maybe my brain was so busy and full it just seamed quiet. We exited to "walking my baby back home" Dean Martin.

Anyway, once out the doors we were offered a drink. Id forgotten what we'd ordered so had to be told what it all was. Pink fizz in hand we headed outside where it wasnt raining but was pleasantly cool. Lots of cuddles and congrats followed and my husband disapeared not for the last time that day.

This is me wondering where he's got to!

Id been warned that a lot of your wedding day you spent apart due to the number of social obligations. I hadnt realised Id lose him so quickly but it turned out he was finding our wellies and brollies ready for photos. As you can see its not the sunniest of days.

We headed down the lane to the photo location and drops of rain fell gently. Brollies came out but we really didnt need them. For me it was an excuse to air my heart shapped one for photos!

Family gathered and formal shots kicked off. The rain went away and everyone was jolly. There was a slight delay as we realised we were missing half the grooms family but while we waited for them we did some bridesmaid shots and even got my nan up out of her wheelchair for a family shot. It was going well.

Me and my lovely girls

My lovely family - including Nan up and out of wheelchair. My two nans are 92 and 93 so Im overjoyed to have them in the pictures.

Me, my husband and his fabulous parents. Note Im finally remembering where to hold my bouquete!