I’ll try not to make this too long.
Thursday 8th
A very early start to collect the flowers from the wholesaler and then pick up my mother-in-law (who did all our flowers for us). Then I dashed over to Lakeside to pick up the two waistcoats that the suit hire shop had got wrong when we collected them earlier in the week. I panicked for a while when they struggled to find them but after seeing the worried look on my face they assured me they were in the shop and they were found very quickly.
Leaving my MIL putting together the flowers (she did a fantastic job) we nipped in to town for the boys to get their hair cut. Then on to the reception venue to set up the tables. They were happy to do it for me but I’d wanted to set it up myself. 
I was really pleased with it and left a few bits for them to put out the next morning. After a mad dash to buy another bowl which got broken in the set up I was finally able to go home. The boys went off to a friend’s house and left us girls playing Singstar.
My bridesmaids went to bed about 11pm and left me for a bit on my own and I followed about midnight.
Didn’t sleep too well and even dreamt that one of the girls took my dress into the rain and it shrunk ?. Fortunately this didn’t happen and it was a glorious day.
Well done if you’re still with me.
Friday 9th
Felt incredibly calm all morning. Had some breakfast. Hairdresser arrived and started with the bridesmaids, then my mum and the make up lady arrived. Hair and make-up went well and ahead of schedule. We finally got in our dresses and that’s when it hit me. My step-daughter gave me a cuddle and I struggled not to cry. Went downstairs to find my mum crying too (and someone told me later in the day that my dad had said how proud he was). We had some champagne and the car arrived to take my mum and bridesmaids to the church.
I helped my dad tie his cravat and then we left. I was quite nervous by this point.
As we pulled up outside the church (about 15 mins early!) the photographer told me I looked lovely and that’s when I lost it. My eyes were full of tears but I managed to stop them falling somehow.
I had some pictures taken with my bridesmaids and with my dad and just as we were ready to go we had to stop to wait for some late arrivals (MIL being one of them).
As the music started my eyes welled up. My Husband told me later that his had too and his son (best man) had said “Are you crying dad? Stop it, men don’t cry”
By the time I’d reached the front I had composed myself. Despite the scaffolding the church looked lovely and my husband looked fantastic in his suit. He whispered to me that I looked beautiful and then we said our vows. I got through them without crying (I was concerned I’d blub the whole way through). Standing looking at him I didn’t think about crying, only that I’d never meant anything more in my life.
Lots of people said it was a lovely relaxed ceremony which is what we’d wanted. Lots of people who hadn’t spoken in years chatted to each other and a few rifts were healed.
We had lots of photos taken and it was lovely and warm so no one minded standing outside. How lucky were we with the weather!
We had some champagne on the way to the reception and spoke with my FIL on the phone. He lives in the Far East and hadn’t been able to make it. It was a lovely emotional call and all three of us ended up in tears. Probably the only thing we would change about the whole day – to have him there.
We enjoyed drinks in the gardens, followed by a lovely dinner of minestrone soup, roast beef and trifle. We had lots of compliments on the food – it really was delicious. Our DJ was fantastic, acting as toastmaster throughout the day. He really went above and beyond for us and helped the day run smoothly and then put on a great party in the evening.
We had the speeches at the beginning of the meal which went really well and meant that all three of the boys were able to relax and enjoy their meal.
I’m trying to cut this short as I’m going on a bit.
We had a great time in the evening, great music, lots of dancing and fantastic buffet. 
Our first dance went well even though we were both dreading it.
I threw by bouquet but to some very reluctant single ladies.
We finally fell into bed about 1am absolutely shattered but so very very happy.
Our day was perfect.
