Hi there
Whilst I am not the most profilic poster, I've always enjoyed hitched, ironically more so now I got married! I think just more time.
I love reading people's wedding reports and seeing the flashes, so thought I would do my own! I like to be a little self-indulgent!
So, I met my French husband, Pascal, one drunken summer night in 2008. I had been single a while so my friends dragged me out to some London bars (I live in Surrey). I met Pascl, had a little dance, and we swapped numbers. i then was so drunk I missed my last train home and had to call my Daddy to come pick me up (I was 24 at the time!, now 29!) Anyway, I was thrilled when Pascal text me the next day to ask me out for a date! He was down on my phone for a long time as "French dude" but eventually got his name into my phone back.
We dated... we moved in in May 2010 to a flat in London, and I moved out of my parents finally, and then we got engaged.
Pascal asked me to marry him in a retuarant in London in feb 2010, and thankfully not on valentines' day (too cliche for me!) I was thrilled to be asked, but bit disappointed with the venue (to be frank!) as was not intimate and all the waiters were really nervy about us! The waiter bought over some champage just before and I stupidly asked "oh is it some kind of meal deal?" as I couldn't work out why we were having champagne on a wednesday night!
I thought he was a brave boy as I'm a divorce lawyer, and had been getting used to comments about nobody would marry me!
Anyway, we started looking at venues and it turns out I was the FUSSIEST bride in the world. We looked at 17 venues in all across Surrey and couldn't see anything we liked, or were simply too small. As half the guests were coming from france we needed everyone to be invited to everything. We looked at Nonsuch Mansion, Great Fosters, Parkstead house, Frensham Heights, Hampton Court House, Mecure Barn and a load of barns, hotels etc
Eventually, we found the one, One Great George Street - in central London, Westminster. Was amazing. Loved it and knew it had to be the one even though Pascal didn't want a City wedding.
I am not one of life's natural organisers - and struggled with the admin and organisation of the wedding. Also not good with colours and creative ideas so struggled. Add to that my grandpa was very unwell and so desperately wanted him to be at the wedding, and had a torrid time at work during the planning. Had a nightmare bullying boss who i finally got the courage to stand up to, and then was the happiest girl in the world when the horrible woman left shortly afterwards! A very stressful time.
Again, wedding dress shopping was an ordeal - started to panic. I was looking for a dress with the wow factor and that gave me the waist of a 9 year old girl. I tried one one that made this random woman cry when she saw me, even though her poor daughter was standing before her in her gown and got no reaction! This made me almost buy this one but I didn't love it. Eventually I went for Jolie by Mon Cheri and pretty much knew it as soon as I tried it on!
getting ready was loads of fun with my girls - four bridesmaids - 1 sister, two best friends and Pascal's sister. I tried bridesmaid shopping but two of which were fussy and stroppy, and didn't want to spend a fortune on dresses they ddn't like that much so ended up buying purple dresses from Kaliko!
Didn't want to spend a fortune on cars that nobody would see, and as a city wedding ordered a white cab to take me and my amazing daddy to the venue
Pascal phoned me from venue to say how amazing it looked. got there super early as no traffic (despite being the marathon weekend in London) and was so nervous, but loved the ceremony. Was a civil ceremony (I'm jewish and pascal's background is french catholic). My daddy gave me away
then on to reception in the lobby of One Great George Street
and some confetti....
doesn't look like 107 people to me!
our great hall for dinner and dance
Our cakes - english cupcakes and french marcaron tower (which took me forever find somebody to do!)
The cake topper was a surprise for Pascal
and my lovely lovely grandpa made it! Here he is with my sister.
Entertainment wise, we had a photobooth that went down so well - complete with props and wind machine which meant guests all got to take a photo home and we have the best guestbook with everyone's photos and about a 100 other photos!
oooh I forgot, before we had dinner we went out to Westminster for some photos - all down Parliament Square. Was amazing. Loads of people staring, taking photos, congratulating us, beeping us - was truly amazing and I loved every minute
one my lovely family as well
and we danced the night away. first dance was a waltz (traditional french style) and then Elton John Your Song.
Loved the day - as cheesy as it sounds was truly the best day of our lives. I loved every minute. I had been so stressed during the build-up and planning, but on teh day all anxiety melted away and it was the happiest day of my life Feel so lucky to be married to my babe and love coming home from my work to see my husband every day - truly my best friend,
That's it - excuse the self-indulgence and hope it wasn't too boring!
xxx
