Well I wasn't going to do a report as I don't post on Hitched much, but I decided it would be nice to do one for my own memories and so I may aswell put it on here if anyone is interested... so here goes!
Friday 20 April
This was my last day at work. As I was working towards the office building, I saw purple balloons tied to the doors, congratulations posters and ribbons all over the entrance lobby! The security guard said congratulations to me on my way in. Up the stairs was still more ribbon and balloons. When I walked into the office, everyone cheered and I was given a veil and garter to wear for the day! My desk was covered in gems, confetti, balloons and bunting. I was then given a ‘Bride Girlguide’ challenge badge that I had to complete during the day – very apt as I am a Guide leader! Challenges included naming flowers, matching up the right names to wedding anniversaries (paper, silver etc) and teaching the office a campfire song! I absolutely loved it and got my badge at the end of the day!
My boss made the most amazing cake and cupcakes for me which we had mid morning with coffee.
Then in the afternoon, my colleagues put on a full afternoon tea with scones, crumpets, tea and champagne! I was so overwhelmed at the effort they had gone to and don’t feel like I’ve done it justice in this report but you get the idea!
Saturday 21 April
We went to collect the suits and then had our rehearsal in the afternoon. After the rehearsal, everyone came back to my mum’s house and we had food and more champagne!
Wednesday 25 April
Fast forward to the day before the wedding as not much exciting happened in the days between apart from doing last minute things and dropping things off to the venue.
The day before the wedding we got up nice and early and had a tidy round of the house, loaded things into the car and headed off to our parents houses. Lee dropped me off at my mum and dad’s house and I had a bit of an emotional moment when he left, I just couldn’t believe that the wedding was finally here and the next time I saw him would be in the church! He finally went off to his parents house.
Me, mum, dad and sister then headed off to do some shopping for breakfast the next morning as there would be quite a few people around. It was really nice to spend the evening with my family and once we got home we opened a bottle of wine and spent the evening chatting and being excited!
Thursday 26 April – The Big Day!
I woke up at about 7am and couldn’t get back to sleep so I got up. My mum was already awake downstairs so I helped her start getting things ready for people arriving. I jumped in the shower and then the hairdresser arrived at about 8:30am. Shortly after, my mum left to get her hair done. My other 2 bridesmaids arrived and most of the morning passed in a whir of everyone getting their hair done, my flowergirl and last bridesmaid arriving, and my dad going to pick up the flowers. We sipped pink champagne and got ready then before we knew it the car had arrived and my bridesmaids had to leave. Once they had gone (the car was coming back for me and my parents) we had a moment of calm and I got emotional! My dad put my sixpence into my shoe and my mum gace me a horseshoe. My lovely next door neighbour came round to say congratulations and see me before I left, and then the car came back and it was time to leave. We got into the car and made the short trip to the church.
As I got out of the car, some latecomers arrived which annoyed me as they saw me in my dress before my grand entrance! But then I told myself I was being silly and we walked into the church. Stopped for a few photos and then my sister put my veil over my face and we were ready to go!
I grabbed onto my dad’s arm (he’d suddenly gone very pale and I was a bit worried he’d faint on me!) and we waited at the top of the aisle. As soon as my entrance music started, I could feel myself starting to cry and desperately tried to hold back the tears! We started to walk down the aisle, my beautiful flower girl and page boy in front, then me and my dad, then my sister and 3 other bridesmaids. As I walked down the aisle, I caught sight of my mum and she was crying which set me off completely! Then I caught sight of Lee and I just had this massive grin on my face. We got to the front and he said ‘you look beautiful’ which I don’t think he’s ever said to me before (even though I know he thinks it) and that was such a lovely moment!
The ceremony went without any hitches, apart from when my mum’s mobile phone started ringing about halfway through! I couldn’t believe it when I heard her ringtone and she went bright red, but it was such a lighthearted ceremony and everyone just laughed! The photographer got a great pic of her as the phone was ringing and it’s a great memory! The minister also asked if I would take Lee to be my wife, which got a few more laughs!
Cue more tears from me when our gorgeous little flower girl got up to do her reading ‘if you live to be 100’ from Whinnie the Pooh. She was perfect.
After the ceremony, we went to sign the register and my sister sang ‘Ave Maria’ (the Beyonce version). I could only faintly hear her as we were in the next room and I so wish I had got to hear her properly. Everyone talked about it all day how good she was and how everyone was crying. But then I knew she’d be amazing!
We made our way back down the aisle as husband and wife. As we got to the doors, we realised it was absolutely pouring down so we decided to go back into the church and have some photos at the front of the church. This was such a lovely touch and the family pics inside the church are some of my favourite. I’ve been going to and then running a Guide unit at that church for 14 years so it’s a special place to me.
When the rain had finally stopped, we got some more pictures outside. Although I couldn’t believe it when a man rode his bike on the footpath right in front of the photographer as she was taking photos of us! The cheek of some people!
Me and my hubby got into the car and made our way to the venue. We just grinned at each other for most of the journey and didn’t really say much!
