My wedding report 7th dec 2013

Lead up to the wedding

H had been off work on gardening leave for the past 6 months (very jealous) and I finished work on the Wednesday before the wedding. As he had been off and we had been quite organised we had little to do in the week leading up to the wedding, a final meeting with the venue, lots of gym sessions and some pampering in those last three days. My Gran was very ill in the lead up to the wedding, she was 97 and could no longer get out of bed so I went to visit her in these few days and promised to bring her back lots of photos of the wedding and the honeymoon. I had her rings tied to my flowers on the wedding day so part of her was with me. We had always been very close as she lived with us as I grew up. (She passed away whilst we were on our honeymoon)

Classy Hen do pic in toilets!

Day before

The day before was probably the most hectic time wise, I got up at 6 to go for a PT session at the gym and then went straight on to a salon with my two best friends for us to have our nails done. We messed our times up a bit and when I left at 6am that was the last time we saw each other before the wedding! H went and played golf/ race around the course in a buggy for a few hours with his groomsmen who had all travelled up from various places including the USA. H took our dog to my parents’ house (they had a friend looking after him for the two nights of the wedding and then they had him for the duration of the honeymoon) and I took the cat to the cattery.

The Bridesmaids and I packed the car and headed off to Knutsford around lunch time. I left a little gift for H with one of his groomsmen to give to him on the morning of the wedding (I bought him matching cufflinks to his welsh regalia kilt). We were staying at the Cottons hotel in Knutsford the night before the wedding along with my parents and H’s Mother. As soon as the three of us got there we sat in the bar with a bottle of red, it all felt very surreal! We had around 8 hours to kill before our evening meal with the parents so finished the wine and went and spent some time in the pool at the hotel. Later on we ended up in the gym for an hour or so, trying to burn off some nervous energy I think! We met the parents in the evening for a lovely meal at the hotel and then back in our room we ended up watching a Twilight film that was on TV.

My parents had picked my wedding dress up from the shop and brought it over to the hotel with them and it was hanging from the top of a wardrobe in the room. I was going to get to finally wear my lovely dress.

I didn’t sleep at all that night!!

Murphy the puppy -

The wedding day

As I mentioned I barely slept the night before and we woke up and ordered room service for breakfast at 7 – with champagne of course! After eating and showering and wearing our very cheesy bride and bridesmaid tops. I gave them both their gifts, some Swarovski jewellery and a couple of other bits and pieces and I had written them both a card. They both had been the two most amazing bridesmaids, so it was just a bit emotional! They then produced a gift for me, more champagne and a beautiful Vera Wang compact mirror which they had had a message inscribed on the back of it.

I went and gave my parents a little gift and card each and H’s mum.

The hairdresser arrived at 9 and got set up to start doing our hair, shortly after the make-up artist arrived, she did the most amazing job, I had broken out in really bad acne in the lead up to the wedding day (typical) and was worried she wouldn’t be able to cover it up, when she had finished you couldn’t see a thing and the make-up didn’t look really heavy either. We ran perfectly on time all in all in the morning
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The only hitch was my Mum’s dress splitting when she tried to zip it up, my very domesticated Dad managed to sew her into it, disaster averted!

The florist came across and dropped the flowers off, they were stunning, she had done the most perfect job
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It got to 1pm and the photographer had arrived back (after visiting H to take some shots) and everything suddenly got very real, my bridesmaids helped me into my dress and he took some shots and then the car arrived to pick them and my Mum up. We all got to the entrance of the hotel to meet my parents and off went my Mum and the bridesmaids. I was just left with my Dad in the main entrance, I have to say neither of us are very gushy people and I felt a sorry for him as I don’t think he really knew what to say as we waited, but it was nice to spend time on my own with him for a while before the car came back and picked us both up. Getting into the car in a big dress was no easy task! The photographer had told us not to get out of the car when we go to the Belle Epoque and all I can remember is getting to the high street in Knutsford and us driving very slowly down a very busy one way street before stopping outside the venue, holding all the traffic behind us up whilst numerous photos were taken. I have to thank all the cars that were behind us as not showed any sign of road rage!

The driver helped me out of the car and there were several people who work at the venue as well as my Mum and bridesmaids outside waiting for us. The staff were amazing, we had met a few of them, including the manager a few times before, and they had all been involved in H’s plans when he originally proposed there, so it felt really special.

When we got inside I had to do the usual run through of certain things with the registrar and I started to get a bit teary, I think it was knowing that everyone, including H was waiting upstairs for us. After the legalities of confirming my name etc.with the registrar they went upstairs and a couple minutes later I was asked if I was ready and we made our way up the stairs to the ceremony room. Standing outside the ceremony room doors (which were shut) they got us in a line, bridesmaids first then myself and my Dad. As the entrance music started, a string version of Everlong by the FooFighters(we had booked a string trio who played so well) Sam started to walk, but turned round and mouthed that she loved me and it just set me off crying! Sam disappeared round the door and then Jo and then it was my turn, it took everything in me not to cry my eyes out, I don’t remember seeing anyone as I walked down the aisle, just H at the end.

The ceremony

We had decided to write our own vows, which I regretted as soon as I sat down to try and write them! Anyway the ceremony was lovely, so many people commented on how they had never been to such an emotional ceremony, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room, both from laughing and crying. H’s sister did a reading as did Sam, both lovely readings. The last reading I was dreading, H had chosen it as he thought it reflected our relationship so well, it was the Owl and the *** cat. One of his groomsmen was set to read it and H hadn’t given it to him prior to the ceremony (the guy lives in the US) and Stu wanted it to be a surprise (God knows why!). Anyway, he stood up to read it boiling hot in his suit and proceeded to read it in a cross between a Geordie and American accent – everyone was in stiches. On reflection I am glad we had it, it did really sum up or relationship very well, and H’s humour and was something light to end a rather emotional ceremony on. We signed the register along with the witnesses, posed for photos for everyone which seemed to take an age and then moved on to the drinks reception.

Drinks Reception

This part of the day seemed to go so fast, we greeted everyone as they left the room and proceeded downstairs for champagne, beer and winter pimms (delicious by the way!). The string trio continued to play and everyone just mingled, it was a really nice atmosphere and a chance to speak with everyone/ take photos etc. We were meant to go to our room 15 minutes before the wedding breakfast (something the venue suggested), but we just lost track of time so didn’t bother.

Wow your wedding looked so beautiful and so did you, it makes me emotional thinking of my big day x

Wedding Breakfast/ Speeches/cutting of the cake

Once everyone was seated upstairs we were announced as Mr and Mrs Jones, it was a really good feeling, everyone clapping as we entered the room. We decided on a non-traditional top table, which ended up working really well, we didn’t have a big wedding and the room we ate in was small enough so no one was a million miles away from one another anyway. We sat with our closest friends – who were the groomsmen and bridesmaids. The food was delicious; we were more than happy with it as we knew we would be, we have never had a bad meal there. We had ordered a stupid amount of wine for the tables as well, so a lot of it got carried into the evening reception, I don’t think many people had to buy too many drinks all night! Prior to the wedding day I had read on Hitched and been told by other people I wouldn’t eat much on the day as would be too excited/ busy. I must be the exceptionto that rule as I ate every bit of food in front of me, and all of H’s left overs. I was so full after the meal I had to go to our room and have my dress slackened off !

The speeches were really good, My Dad’s was very thoughtful and he isn’t much of a public speaker and was so nervous about it. H’s on the other hand was 45 minutes LONG! It was an awesome speech, he is a big guy, 6ft 5 and broad and doesn’t look like the sort of person who would cry, but between the ceremony and his speech I don’t think anyone had ever seen a man cry so much, he has paid for it since with his friends. He had the whole room laughing and crying with him though, our TOG captured some great photos of it. The best man’s speech, his brother was great as well, he said the loveliest things about us as a couple as well as making more than a few digs at H, all which were well deserved!

Once the speeches were done, we proceeded to cutting the cake and then most people went downstairs as the band was set up and the bar was open. It was at this point the evening guests had started to arrive.

Wow, I love it. You look stunning, you're one good looking couple. Love the venue and the bouquet. Looks like you had the most perfect day. Congratulations!!

As the day guests filtered downstairs, the evening guests had started to arrive. We had ordered champagne for everyone in the evening, so that the evening guests all got a drink when they arrived. By this point I had drank so much, I was on the water, I didn’t want to be drunk/ forget the day! The band were (and I am not being biased!) the best live band I have ever heard, not one person didn’t dance or get involved and despite us only having a wedding of around 65 guests the place seemed packed and the atmosphere was great. Before the day at the back of my mind I had been worried that no one would dance and a band would be too much for that number of guests, but it worked perfectly. We had our first dance around 8:30ish, which basically consisted of H manhandling me around the dance floor (I cannot dance to save my life!) before getting everyone to join in with us.

The buffet food was served later on in the night, and there was so much of it, it was delicious, all hot hoggies, bacon, turkey,halluomi etc and wedges, it went down a treat, as did the wedding cake that got served up.

Last orders were called at 12:30, ensue a mad last 20 minutes on the dance floor with everyone crazy dancing! At 1 most people started to leave and head off to their various hotels for the night. I was absolutely shattered and once we had waved everyone off we made our way upstairs to our room, and Hsuccessfully managed to un do the four different ways my dress did up, straps, corset, lace, buttons, I was very impressed!

The day after

The main bridal party had stayed at the Belle Époque so we all got to have breakfast with each other the following morning. Ensue more good byes and packing and it was home time. H had driven up in his car so we could travel back together. At home we opened all our cards and gifts, people had been so generous. We spent the day eating wedding cake,drinking tea and packed for our honeymoon, which we jetted off to the following morning.

What a beautiful day.

Congratulations, it looked and sounds like a perfect wedding. X

You look beautiful! The flowers, the zombies THE PUPPY!

Absolutely stunning wedding and what a beautiful bride you are

Oh my god! this report is amazing! absolutely stunning bride! (there are so many incredibly beautiful ladies on hitched!)

i hope the happiness you felt at the wedding, grows each and every day of your marriage. congratulations!

Wow, wonderful report! Congratulations.

You our look wonderful and the whole day seems perfect.

You are absolutely beautiful ! Congratulations it looks like it was amazing x

Awwww! All so beautiful, it sounded like a perfect day!

Such a beautiful day

You are bloody gorgeous! Photographs are stunning! Great report.

It looks amazing! Very envious.

What a report! loved your proposal venue becoming your wedding venue, how romantic. you looked stunning and all so happy

we have booked the dotted crotchets for our day too, so excited to hear them on the day! think i will have to look at your band for inspiration too!!

Congratulations, it looks like an amazing day, your photos are gorgeous and you look stunning ;-)

LOVED this - you look so so beautiful and it sounds like such a fantastic day. Gorgeous honeymoon pictures too! x

Wow looks like you had an amazing day! Love it all x

Beautiful report! Thank you so much for sharing. You look stunning and the venue and flowers are just beautiful.

Stunning!

Love it! Amazing report, your wedding sounds beautiful and you look absolutely stunning.

Hope you're enjoying married life!

You look stunning!! What a lovely report, beautiful day.

Gorgeous!

Bit random have you got a pic of the back of your hair? x

Hey, sorry for not responding, i sure do, I will add it onto here for you tomorrow when i am back infront of my normal Imac with all the photos on it