My Wedding Day Report & Flashes 8.4.12

That evening we had a meal in the dining room with my family and bridesmaids. I quaffed plenty of wine (it helps me sleep!) and enjoyed catching up with everyone. My little bridesmaid A kept us entertained with her body popping!

The meal was great, we had our own private dining room and not for the first time that weekend, I sat back and thought just how lucky I am to have the family that I do. Meanwhile Mr A. was doing the same with his family and friends else where (he was staying at our house the night before). Before going to our room I bumped into Mr A’s sister (also a bridesmaid), hubby and baby who had just got back from their meal. They said Mr A was really nervous and a bit emotional over their meal. I think it had just hit him we were getting married.

Back in the rooms me, H and C chilled out with some wine and watched My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, most appropriate! I wasn’t nervous at all, just very excited and enjoying time with my best friends. After sending Mr A. an excited and reassuring text I managed to get a really good nights sleep, the wine had worked a treat….

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Wedding Day!

My alarm went off at 7am and on cue C came running into my room, “YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED!!” So excited! We threw on some clothes and headed to the dining room for some breakfast. Now I normally love a full English breakfast, but I couldn’t stomach anything, nerves had well and truly kicked in. While H and C tucked into theirs I sat and ate a yoghurt. Mr A’s mum and others joined us at the table and it all hit me. Over my strawberry yoghurt I got quite tearful, but once I’d got that out my system I felt much better.

Our makeup artist Rochelle arrived at 8:30am. I can’t speak highly enough of Rochelle – a lovely, lovely person and excellent at her job. She is so calm and relaxed, it was great having her there. Months ago I considered doing my own makeup but there is no way I could have done anywhere near as good a job as Rochelle did. I would recommend her to anyone.

Simultaneously in the adjoining room, Rob - a hairdresser and also one of our ushers - had set to work. He did an amazing job on the bridesmaid’s hair; the general ‘look’ I wanted was polished and elegant. I changed my mind at the last minute for what I wanted and it did not faze him at all. I was so pleased with the end result. All the while I was calm and enjoying the getting ready stage. Nothing was rushed, no dramas, perfect.

Our other usher called by with all the bouquets and I couldn’t have been more pleased, they were spot on. Our florist Judith had even made up a smaller bouquet especially for me to throw as I was reluctant to throw mine.

Im very excited to read this report!! As I mentioned before, Im your venue twin.

Great report so far! xx

While all this was happening our excellent photographer Verity was snapping away. Most of the time, I didn’t notice her there, though I occasionally asked her opinion: “Verity, in your experience, have other brides put a sixpence actually in their shoe?!) and other baffled questions.

Around this time the three adult bridesmaids put on their dresses. WOW! Now I think the world of my friends and they really did look beautiful. I gave them each their gift from us, some gorgeous pearls from Louloubelle and a bridesmaid’s journal I had spent months filling in.

With about half an hour to go it was time to put my dress on. Verity politely departed to the room next door as the fit of my dress meant – ahem – that less was more in the underwear stakes (if you get my meaning)….It was all very funny as my bridesmaids held my dress ready for me to step into, to my cries of “Don’t look!!!!”. We got there in the end! The dress felt great, I’d had my fair share of dress wobbles, but felt great on the day.

My two little bridesmaids S and A (age 8 and 5) arrived and to keep them busy we practised how they were to walk into the room. They looked really sweet in their dresses. We told S to walk slowly, so she did, literally. It would have taken half an hour for her to reach the front so we told her to speed up just a little ?

Then John our MC came to collect me with my dad. Dad looked so smart and told me I looked beautiful. Dad is so calm, a good person to be around in a crisis so it was so nice to see him. We walked arm in arm all the way to the reception room. This was quite a walk and gave me precious practice-walking-in-dress time. Dad and I got taken into a room to meet with the registrars and we went through all the formalities. At this point it was all so surreal, almost like it wasn’t happening to me. I couldn’t get my head round the fact that the room next door was filled with my friends, family, and most importantly Mr A. I just couldn’t wait to see him.

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The next part is (unfortunately) a bit of a blur. The music, live classical guitarist, started up and my two little bridesmaids, followed by the three adult bridesmaids in single file walked into the ceremony room.

Then dad and I walked in. The room was full, everyone was looking at us, I just couldn’t take it all in.

As I got to the front Mr A. turned round, he was really emotional. I gave him a kiss and told him how much I loved him.

The ceremony was perfect, really intimate. The vows passed in a blur, I was so conscious of not getting my words muddled up. Mr A’s mum, my brother and a good friend all did a reading and we were soon signing the register.

After all this we excited to everyone’s cheers, and Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl on the guitar: We were man and wife!

Really enjoying reading your report and I don't tend to "read" many, just skip to the photos.

You look sooo happy in the last picture.

We were taken straight out by John our MC to the rear gardens where we had a group shot. My worries about the weather seemed so insignificant on the day and I wish I’d not worried so much. It was overcast and blustery, but I couldn’t have cared less. We were taken to the rose gardens where Bucks Fizz and bottled beer were served alongside delicious canapés and we set to work on group shots.

You look amazing. I love the choice of bridesmaids dress too. Very classy.

The original plan was for the photos to take around and hour and a half. On the day, due to less than favourable weather, we got them done in less than 40 minutes. If someone had told me previously that this would happen I would have thought it a disaster. But it wasn’t at all. Instead we continued the drinks reception in the reception room and sat down to the meal earlier than planned. While John got everyone seated for the meal Verity and her partner Chris (our other photographer) took us outside for a few couple shots. It was nice having that time to chat to Mr A. and share a rare bit of time together. Then John asked for everyone to be standing for the bride and groom. Walking into a room full of people cheering and clapping was euphoric, something I’ve never experienced before and something I’ll never forget.

The meal served by Ringwood Hall was faultless. There was another wedding happening at the same time as ours. This never bothered us when booking the venue and I’m pleased we didn’t let it as we never saw the other wedding and had outstanding service throughout from all the staff. Unfortunately, my appetite still had not returned and although the food was delicious I could only manage a little of it. Mr A. was the same. So while our guests tucked into homemade soup with crusty bread, beef with all the trimmings and pecan pie, we barely ate a thing. We did feel guilty at this and assured Alan our waiter that it was pure nerves, not the food, that was affecting our appetite.

During the meal I managed to get round some tables and chat to guests. The place cards went down a treat, as did our egg cups filled with Cadbury crème egg favours. We also had a few queries about the nature of the table names – Mr A’s idea, as it was Easter Sunday, to name our tables after breeds of chicken (I’m now quite educated on the subject!)

We only had three children, all close family, and our baby niece to the wedding. To keep them entertained I provided them with a goody bag which included a “Photograph Hunt”, they each had a disposable camera and had a check list of things to snap. This kept them very busy!

Towards the end of the meal I asked my mum if she would help me go to the toilet (!). Note to all future brides – this was harder than I ever could have imagined. Luckily the ladies loo was also a hotel room adjoining the reception room so we locked the door and in between hoots of laughter I managed to (just about) go to the loo by (sorry if this is too much info) sitting facing the wrong way. Mum and I literally cried with laughter, was so funny and such hard work!

Before we knew it we were having speeches. First up was my dad. As a retired head teacher he is pretty accomplished at delivering good speeches. However, I knew this was a different ball game to the kind of speeches he has done in the past. I needn’t have worried about him, his speech was fantastic. He told the story of me and my best friend (bridesmaid H) aged 3 decorating our bathroom with pictures we’d drawn using toothpaste to stick them up. He also brought along Gordon, my much loved, bizarre-looking moth eaten teddy from childhood. He also said some really touching things and commented on the fact I’d invited people to the wedding that I’d known through babyhood, school, college, university, various jobs….he did a great job and welcomed Mr A. to the family. I know he thinks very highly of him.

Next up was Mr A. While he is usually very confident and naturally witty, I knew he was also nervous. He gave a great speech, funny and touching. He got quite emotional when talking about us. Our best man also did a fantastic job and described Mr A brilliantly telling some funny stories from years gone by. He pitched it perfectly.

After the speeches we went outside again as we’d forgotten to throw confetti and I’d not thrown my bouquet. Not everyone came out unfortunately as it was cold, but it didn’t really matter.

There was quite a lull at this point in the day as there was at least an hour and a half before the evening reception was due to start. Many guests went to their rooms for a rest/freshen up so Mr A. and I went with Chris and Verity for some more couple shots around the grounds. We enjoyed getting to know Chris and Verity, such a nice couple and so professional. We got many compliments about them from guests, their energy never faltered and they were taking pictures right up to the first dance, evening editing pictures in their car during the meal.

Pretty soon evening guests had started to arrive and I was conscious that Mr A. and I should meet and greet them as they’d made the effort to travel over. We’d invited quite a lot of people and it was great catching up. I had a big chat with a girl I had babysat since she was 3 months old – she is now 15 and substantially taller than me! That did make me feel quite old!

We were soon summoned to cut the cake. It was a completely unique experience having so many people photographing us. I’m normally quite happy to be a bystander and don’t always enjoy the limelight but on this occasion it was fun and Mr A. was spot on when he whispered to me, “I feel like a celebrity!”.

We followed the cake cutting with our first dance, ‘Thinking of You’ by Sister Sledge. We managed a few twirls before indicating for everyone to join us on the dance floor which (thankfully) they did! By the end of the song the dance floor was heaving.

The rest of the evening is a blur of dancing and chatting. I barely got to see my new hubby! We kept getting pulled in different directions but I think we did a good job of getting round everyone. Before we knew it, it was midnight and things were coming to an end. By this point my feet were beginning to hurt and we were both exhausted. Mr A. and I said our goodbyes and walked the short distance to the bridal suite. We literally collapsed into bed the happiest couple ever; we could not believe everything had gone so well.

Well done if you have got this far. I’ve loved writing this report and in doing so I’ve remembered things I had totally forgotten. We loved our day – it was intimate, relaxed and many people commented on it being such a “friendly” wedding, a huge compliment. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us in the run up to the big day, we wouldn’t change our day for the world.

Hi Anne

I really enjoyed spending the morning with you ladies, glad you had a fab day. Would love an official pic as and when you get them if you wouldn't mind.

x

Awww am loving reading this ? can I ask where you got your older bm dresses from. Also you looking stunning xx

Thankyou, Their dresses are from coast.Xx

Hi Rochelle, of Course will send one as soon as I get them back, hopefully not too long away! X

Such a lovely report Annie, you looked stunning and your pictures were gorgeous. Glad to hear that you had a brilliant day and didn't let anything phase you! Congratulations!!

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! congratulations! x

Aww, I really enjoyed reading your report, thank you for sharing it!

Congratulations, you look amazing!!

Fantastic report, everything looks amazing!!

Lovely report. The whole thing looked amazing!

Beautiful photos. Congratulations! ?

What a lovely report - Congratulations ?

What a lovely day you had - congratulations you look gorgeous x