Finally - never realised how long it'd take. It's an epic so settle in and maybe get a cuppa!
I'm sure i've missed loads of too!!!!!!
Thursday 15th July
So two days to go – could hardly believe we’d got this close!!! In the morning OH went to pick up the suits with his Dad. Whilst they did that I had to manically phone my stationary lady and tell her that I’d missed a name off the table plan!!! Woke up suddenly the night before and realised I hadn’t put my CBMs name on the list I’d sent her – so stupid and couldn’t believe I’d done it!!!!!!! Luckily she said not to panic and she could make the changes if we picked up the plans and menus etc in the evening rather than the morning. Phew!!!
Next up was picking up the rings. Was so great to actually have them although I was terrified of somehow losing them!! So pleased with them and was lovely to get my ER back as it had been with the jewellers to clean and was sparkling again!
I then got in the car to drive to my mums as we were going to put the centrepieces together – was the first time we’d driven it that day as we walked to get suits and rings. Car wouldn’t start!!!!! SO rang the RAC and 2 hours later (now behind schedule!!) the guy comes to fix it – apparently the battery is dead and needs a new one, great. He advises us to drive it straight to garage as it wont restart if we turn it off! So up to garage who can luckily do it straight away but takes another hour and £80 (just what we needed!!).
Anyways I finally get over to my Mums and we spend the afternoon making up the birdcages and doing last bits and pieces. Whilst I’m doing this OH meets up with his ushers so they can collect their suits and try them on etc. He then went over to pick up stationary and dropped it back at my Mums, where everything had been collected. We finished the birdcages by about 6pm and had a celebratory glass of vino! When OH arrived with table plan etc I was so pleased – it looked stunning!!!!!
OH and I headed home and spent the evening making lists for Friday and Saturday morning.
Friday 16th July
Spent the morning at my Mums packing everything up ready to take down to the hotel to be set up and finalising the list of instructions for the hotel set up – I was so worried about leaving them to set up!!!
At lunchtime I headed back into town and had my eyebrows and nails done – it was so nice and relaxing – I actually fell asleep when I had my feet done. Definitely needed the chill out time!
OH picked my up mid afternoon and we went back to my parents. OH and me, my brother and my Dad headed down to the hotel. Dad wanted to leave his car there so it was there for them to drive home Sunday morning and we dropped off all the bits and decorations. I picked up my CBM on way – luckily she found being left of the table plan hilarious!!! And showed her and my brother (who was an usher) around the hotel so they knew where we’d be and when etc on Saturday. Ran through instructions with the hotel and headed home!
OH dropped me at my parents (where I stayed) and we said our goodbyes. Me, Mum, Dad, my sister and CBM walked up to their village pub for dinner as there was nothing left to do!! My other 2 BMs met us there and we had such a lovely evening, great food and a couple of glasses of wine. Headed home about 10.30 where I sat up chatting to BMs (3out of 4 were staying at my parents and the other went home as she has small kids). Went to bed at about 11.30pm………..
Saturday 17th July – MY WEDDING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!
I woke up about 6.30am, having slept surprisingly well!! Mum and Dad both got up about the same time so I gave them their gifts. I got a lovely pocket mirror engraved for my mum and an engraved tankard for my dad. Mum cried and Dad looked really touched too so I was pleased they liked it!!!!
8am
My hair lady arrived, along with the BM who didn’t stay and my friend who was doing make up. Other 3 BMs still asleep which was good as it meant it was really calm and quiet. I had my hair put in rollers and then make up done whilst hair lady did my BM. Mums hairdresser arrived and did her and my sister (one of BMs and up by now!). My Dad kept out of the way and read the paper in the garen with the cat! I was feeling really relaxed and calm!
9.30am
My brother arrived, he’d stayed at our flat with OH and OHs brother (best man) and had been to pick up flowers. He dropped of our bouquets on the way past to the hotel and they were just stunning – more gorgeous than I ever imagined!!!!
10am
Photographer arrived and started doing loads of pictures. Girls were now all up and in various stages of getting ready. There was a lovely happy atmosphere and I was so pleased I was at my parents house as it was so relaxed.
10.45am
Stared to put my dress on, which took some time! Girls finished off getting ready and we had loads of photos. My dad said I looked beautiful when he saw me – my dad is fantastic but he’s not one for compliments and being emotional so it was such a nice moment! Cars also arrived and more photos taken!
11.30am
We get in the cars to leave (15mins late!), getting in the back of the car was very challenging in my dress but we got there in the end – not the most elegant moment of the day but hilarious!!!!!! The BMs and my mum headed off in their cars and Dad and I were ready to go. Slightly scary moment when it wouldn’t start but it went second time so time to relax. It wasn’t hugely comfy in the car and I was sitting a bit awkwardly in my dress but still so fun. We went through loads of villages and everyone waved which was so cool!! Apparently the BMs car was less relaxing as driver was crazy and my sister was car sick at side of road!!!
I’d been so calm and relaxed until we drove through Battle high street, about 2 mins away. It suddenly hit me and I nearly cried!!!!!!
12.30
We arrived at the venue and saw a few guests still arriving and waited until they were usehered in. Mum and Bms were waiting for me. Had a quick chat with registrar and it was show time! The back entrance to the ceremony room involved going down a flight of very steep steps which was scary – didn’t want my entrance to be me falling into room!!!!!!! Music started and off we went.
As I walked down the aisle I was completely overwhelmed and just kept my eyes on OH. As I got to the front, the first thing he said was ‘Nice ruffles’!!!! We’d had an ongoing joke about all the dresses I looked at in magazines etc being really rouched, or ruffled as OH described it – so that made me laugh!!!! Dad gave me away formally which involved him putting my hand into OHs. It was the only time his voice cracked and he had tears in his eyes!
Ceremony was amazing – the registrar was absolutely fantastic and so so added to it. I shook all the way though and was held steady by OH most of time. I wasn’t at all prepared for how overwhelming the vows were with everyone watching. And then we were married!!!!!!!!!!!!
1pm
Headed outside and had some great confetti moment, the petals I’d spent ages putting in cones went down well and looked great. We then headed off for our own photos whilst our guests had their welcome drinks.
2pm.
Headed to lawn area where guests were and got a chance to say hello, chat to everyone whilst having the group shots. SO many people said what a lovely ceremony it was and my dress seemed to go down well! I was trying so hard to tae everything in.
2.45pm
Guests started heading in to sit down and we followed them to lots of cheers etc which was fun. I was so so so soooooooo happy with how the room looked, exactly as I’d imagined it was and everyone loved the birdcages!
3pm
Speeches first and they all went well and weren’t too long. Dads was lovely and I was so touched when he talked about how proud of me him and mum were – he never says things like that outloud! OHs was short and sweet – I cried when he called me his soulmate and said how lucky we were to spend our whole lives together (I was 16 when we met). Best mans was hilarious without embarrassing OH too much!
3.30-5.30
Food!!!!! It was SOOOOOOOOOOO yummy!!!!!!! As we walked about chatting to everyone I was so pleased to see every ones plates scraped clean – went down very well and I ate as much as I could in my corset!
6pm
After coffee we went outside and everyone wandered about and generally chilled out. The grounds were perfect for this and we had a fantastic jazz band (courtesy of the amazing Rubber Soul) who kept the atmosphere just right. OH and I had some more photos and spent loads of time chatting to out guests.
I changed shoes into one of my BMs pairs as she’d swapped to flip flops!
8pm
First dance to Elvis – Can’t help falling in love. It was perfect and although I was nervous in advance I really enjoyed it.
The rest of the night was all about the dancing – Rubber Soul were truly awesome and just made the night. Dance floor was constantly pack and near the end every single guest was up and dancing – it was exactly as I’d hoped it’d be! The BBQ at 9pm went down really well although icould only manage half a burger even with my corset slightly loosened!!!!!! About 10pm I abandoned shoes altogether which was a good move and managed to dance the night away despite my dress!!!!!! All the groups of guests mixed brilliantly too.
Midnight
The music sadly finished and we slowly said goodbye to everyone. At about 12.45 OH and I head up to our room. OH had ordered champagne to be waiting in our room and we sat up reliving the day and opening our cards and reading the guest book.
It was absolutely perfect, everything I’d ever dreamed about and hoped for and so is my husband. Happy doesn’t really cover it!!!!!!!!!!!
