Sorry if this is really long but I wanted to get everything down so I can keep a copy.
The Day Before
We were travelling from our home in Manchester up to Newcastle and taking the cake with us! We picked up the cake then set off to Newcastle at around 11-30am. I was doing the driving and the journey was quite bad because of the bad weather. All was going well until I drove rather too quickly around a long, sharp bend. THUD. My cake had fallen over and the top 2 tiers had fallen off ?, luckily I was quite calm about it and we were only 10 minutes away from the hotel so Mark spent the rest of the journey holding onto it! We arrived at our reception venue and the head chef managed to fix the cake! Phew!
We left for our rehearsal at the church and everything went well - we ran through all our vows which was a bit daunting! We then exchanged gifts which we were going to open on our own later that night. Mark then went off to stay at his parents' house and I went back to the hotel with my BMs. On the way back though, 2 of my BMS had a massive row about Take That tickets! It was that bad that I didn't think they would be speaking on my wedding day. Thankfully, they kissed and made up before we reached the hotel.❤️
I then had dinner with my sister, parents and other BMs which was lovely. I then went off to bed and opened my presents. The first was a beautiful pair of half carat diamond earings - gorgeous! I also had a love letter and a CD to play. Mark had insisted that we bring the laptop (now I know why) so I loaded the CD and it was a film of our 'days together so far' to the tune of Enrique's Hero. I was crying my eyes out, it was so romantic. I phoned my BMs and they came round to watch it and they all cried too ?
The Wedding Day
I stayed in the bridal suite on my own and woke just before my alarm went off at 8am and read the paper. I had had a brilliant night's sleep - apparently I was the only one to do so! I looked out of my window and the weather was gorgeous! I then went down for breakfast and managed a full English - minus the beans ?. The hairdresser arrived early so my mum went up to her suite and started getting her hair done. We all got ready in my parents' suite and before I knew it the videographer and photographer had arrived. I felt really silly being filmed as it's such a strange experience! My uncle who lives in Austraila phoned me which was really touching.
I ordered a club sandwhich from room service and managed to eat most of it! Lots of champagne was drunk and I was surprised at how calm and relaxed I was. My mum and sister helped me into my dress and my mum cried which then set me off!
The flowers arrived and so I was finally all ready and just hanging around waiting for the cars to arrive - we were all dancing to the radio incredibly calm but excited!
My BMs went downstairs and had a sneaky look at the reception room and they said it was gorgeous! There was a little girl in the hotel and she asked my BMs if "the Princess was ready" - ?
The journey to the church took around 20 minutes and it was lovely just spending time with my dad. I even asked the driver to pull over and wait in a layby as I didn't want to be early ?. I arrived at the church just after 2pm and had a few photos outside the church. I made my entrance to the traditional wedding march and I was still feeling quite calm. I was trying really really hard not to walk too fast and I still remember picking out people's faces and saying hello. I saw Mark and he looked so handsome in his suit. I managed to hold myself together although I did nearly lose it whilst saying my vows.
There's a small clip here if you'd like to see.
We then left under a shower of confetti petals and got into the car for our journey to the reception. For some unkown reason one of the first things I said to Mark in the car was "I'm your wife now Dave"...I found it hilarious ?. As soon as we got back to the hotel we were whisked away for photos as it was starting to get dark. Our guests were scoffing on canapes and champagne whilst listening to the piano player. We commenced a receiving line at around 4-45pm and then we were announced into the room as Mr and Mrs to a round of applause. We had the speeches first and I was so proud of my dad as he delivered an amazing speech despite being really nervous.
Speeches were followed by a delicious 4 course meal - we managed to talk to all our guests inbetween courses. After the meal we left to go outside for our surprise and I got to wear my little jacket. We'd arranged for our guests to release sky lanterns as this was how Mark proposed to me in Thailand - it was brilliant. The lanterns were fantastic - although we did have a few near misses and some lanterns ended up in trees ?. Everyone loved them and said they were best thing they'd ever seen!
We then went back inside and had a few more pics before we cut the cake and had our first dance. Our first dance was to Sade - By your side. We had a few moves choreographed which went down very well. I then danced all night and we even had a mad half hour of our favourite Ibiza dance tunes - we were a raving bride and groom ?. We went to bed at around 1-30am but some of our guests continued to party until 3am in the rsesident's bar. We continued with our own private party upstairs ?.
I can honestly say it was the best day of my life and I'm so happy. Thanks for reading this far - hope I haven't bored you too much!
Here's a link to our professional pics - there's almost 500! Click on Kathryn and Mark and the password is Friend.
We went on our honeymoon on the Monday - 4 nights in Dubai and 7 nights in the Maldives - heaven. I'll do a seperate report for that.
Name and Praises
Lisaloulou - thanks for my fabulous BM jewellery and cake brooches - you were very patient with those but they looked fantastic! Also thanks for my good luck thread and support you've given me throughout my planning (although it's only been 18 months planning not 3 years ?).?
Ryan Browne - for our amazing photographs.
Ian and Paula at oneandonlyfilms for our video.
Suzanne @ Prettywild design for our wonderful stationary, post box, table plan and guest book.
Ivory and Co tiaras for my tiara.
Linden hall - fantastic venue.
Hay - providing us with our dance lesson.
Richard's cakes in Urmston for our delicious and stunning cake.
Hope I haven't forgotten anyone and sorry if I have!
Mrs kath79 xx
