My wedding report x

Well here goes just a little background - we own a pub in Cambridge, live in Cambridge, hubby is from Worcester, My family are from London ish and we got married in North London

My theme was black and white, quite a large wedding - 250 day guests mainly traditional and our favours were lottery tickets. These were the topics I fussed over so much on this site trying to decide what to have etc but really on the day they made a lovely wedding but were not important.

WEDNESDAY B4 WEDDING DAY
I am so so organised that i am still working away in the pub with not a nerve in site. Wednesday evening my friend Sally who was also responsible for the stationary for the day came round and we finished all the table plan, lottery tickets, etc so by wednesday nite everything was ready for our big day.

THURSDAY
This day was about me just preparing for the actual day, I went off and had a manicure pedicure and facial oh and dont forget the dreaded St tropez spray tan. I dd wind my husband 2 be up as I was orange (dont wash it off till the next day) and he was trying to be very subtle saying he thinks it was a bit dark lol It turned out lovely the next day. I collected the mens suits and packed them in the car then in the evening I sat with some of my customers in the bar who were also attending the wedding speaking about the day it was so exciting thinking of the big day - we had a few glasses of bubbly then went to bed - still no nerves.

FRIDAY - DAY B4
Woke up nice and early showered, was still very calm but inside i was so excited I thought I was going to burst - we packed the car, waited for hubbys parents then set off. we arrived at the hotel a nice touch was the porter arrived and took all our bags everything to our rooms - me and hubby obviously had different rooms and i was so organised I had every piece of luggage labelled so it went smoothly to the correct rooms. We dashed off to collect hubbys aunt from the local sation then back to the hotel.

My mum and dad had arrived by this time - they are my world and I looked at my dad and started to cry - I dont know why to this day but the love I felt for my dad was over whelming - if Im honest I knew officially I was going to be someone elses responsibility that dont make sense but its hard to explain.

Anyway we had lunch and everyone started to arrive, bridesmaids, close friend, all hubbys family and friends who he was chuffed to see as it had been a while since they had all been together and my close family who were all staying the weekend. We just really milled around doing nothing as there was a wedding happening this day - I remember seeing the bride and thinking OMG that will be me tomorrow.
My cake arrived I was a little disappointed as it was a lot smaller than I imagined but I dint fuss just accepted it. Still NO nerves.

I decided at about 9pm I had enough I wanted to just chill go to sleep wake up and get married lol. i had 10 minutes with my husband outside barking specific orders at him and then told him i loved him very much and I would see him at the service - I kissed him goodnite tomorrow I would be Mrs xxxx

I was going to spend the nite with my mum but I ended up having my niece in with me who is 12 - we had a girly chat, glass of bubbly lol she is only 12 and we settled in for a good nites sleep.

I woke up at 1.30am went a pee lol and just decided to look out of my bedroom window - what did I see ? My husband with all his mates outside the hotel drinking - i could tell by his mannerisms he was merry if not drunk lol I think he had a mini stag doo again. Did I get the hump panic no just thought he better be ok tomorrow and I hope he dont feel rough - went back to bed xxx

MY WEDDING DAY

As i open my eyes my niece is looking at me smiling - she said Shal - today ur gonna look like a princess - I love u auntie Sharon - I wanted to cry my eyes out but just gave her a big cuddle.

We got dressed - called all the rooms to rally the wedding party and off we went for breakfast - it was about 9am and I wasnt getting married till 4pm. I remembered to put a hoody on so it didnt mess my hair up when done - breakfast exsisted of coffee only for me just couldnt eat - everyone else did.

Breakfast over and we head to the hairdressers that is 5 miles away but in london traffic that can be an issue. We arrive at the hairdressers about 10am and they start to work there magic - for some reason I thought it best I go last something I lived to regret,

The hairdressers was fun, drinking more bubbly, laughing at the two mums who hated having fascinators put in there hair, a 12 year old moaning she looked ridiculous etc etc and then it was me - Sharon put my hair up I just didnt like it - everyone was trying to convince me it was great but I knew so the bridezilla in me came out - we had to start again - eventually I was happy with my hair but it was now 12.30 and we needed to get back the make up artist was waiting.

I arrived at the hotel at 1.30pm just jumped out the car abandoned it in fact went to go in the hotel doors and bumped straight into my h2b - not what i wanted but again thought hey ho. He started to ask about flowers and I was a little stressed and just barked just deal with it lol he answered back love u 2 lol

The plan was now I would shower but no there was confusion in the banqueting room so I headed down there with my bridesmaids and told the mums to go to my room and have there make up done to save time. The room was chaos but did look lovely even though it wasnt finished - the problem was they had lost the set up plan so didnt know what tables went where so I just run round putting the table names on the tables from memory and placing the thank u presents for the ushers on the tables - i was prepared to stay till it was done but my bridesmaid said Sharon please leave its your day and you need to get ready - at this stage I took a step back and thought your right - Brian who was the planner hugged me and said go go go I will not let you down so I made my way to my room.

Its now 2.30 and the rush is on as everyone is banging at my door - photographer video man etc and I have not even showered. I asked everyone eg bridesmaid etc to go there rooms and get dressed and just leave my mum. I showered quite quickly, wrapped myself in as sheet lol and sat down to have my make up done.

On the bed was a card and a box plus a bottle of pink champagne - i knew this was from my hubby 2 be - I opened the card it was so lovely - it just said see you in an hour or so Mrs x - i love u and cant wait for you to be my wife love forever xx I opened the box it was a pair of white gold diamond and pearl earings they were stunning - i did feel a prang of guilt as I got my hbby nothing well I did send down a card and a pair of tacky Leeds united cuff links of which he wanted to wear but al the way along i had said no they didnt match the theme lol bridezilla again.

Right is 3.15 ish hair and make up done - its time to get dressed - my mum and best friend were the only ones there - I stepped into my shoes 1st, then my peticoat and then my dress - both my mum and friend were tearful and without being flash I could see they were both very very proud of me.

The next I remember is my room is manic again - we are having pictures taken drinking bubbly friend aunties all in and out of the room crying and saying lovely things but this 20 minutes was a blur really - STILL NO NERVES.

Everyone starts to make there way to the ceremony - Im alone waiting for my dad - he knocks - he says nothing intially but starts to get all choked in fact he cries and mumbels through his tears I am so proud of you - you look beaytiful - i started to well up , I give him a big x and he holds my hands for a few seconds and just stares at me - he composes himself - we have a few pictures a sip of bubbly then he just says " you ready my darling ? im so proud lets go and show everyone how beautiful you look" We head for the ceremony xxx

STILL NO NERVES

I HOPE TO WRITE PART 2 TOMORROW - I AM DOING THIS REPORT FOR ME SO I ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO REFER TO BUT JUST THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT ON HERE TO - I HOPE YOU ENJOY READING IT XXX:\)

deleted post now x x x

[Modified by: shazbel14 on 17 March 2010 00:30:45 ]

SORRY ABOUT NO FULL STOPS AND ALL THE SPELLING MISTAKES BUT iM TRYING TO REMEMBER EVERTHING BUT ALSO KEEP IT BRIEF

Oh please write part 2. Im loving reading about your days. Would love to see photos!

Yours is the first wedding report ive read all the way through and im hooked. Can we have a picture of you please!!! xxx

THE LINK TO MY PICS IS www.oliviamannphotography.com/sharonanddarren
I am going to try and write the next phase this evening - thanks for reading x

I have really enjoyed reading this so far more please !

MORE USELESS INFO LOL

Just some other little bits I know we all like to know and that is I walked down the aisle to Unforgettable by Nat King Cole , signed the register to Your The Best Thing by The Style Coucil and we exited to I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.

My something

Old was my engagement ring (was my mums)
New was my dress
Borrowed was a small pic of my grandad
Blue was the ribbon that I tied a locket to and then put with grandads pic tied to my petticoat.

Nice touch I had was I had a memorial candle made in black and white which had printed on it Always in Our Heart - Never forgotten - Loved Forever then each individuals name printed on the candle

me 2, im hooked ! more more !

PART 2

Ok its time - I take my dads hand and we head for the lift lol - I was quite shocked when he asked me if I still wanted to get married? I said of course why? he said its just a tradition I ask lol - he then went on to tell me not to worry about my H2B as he knew he was 1 in a million and he would take care of me - next I know the lift door opens.....

My bridesmaids are waiting and as I step out I heard a cousin scream shes coming quick get every 1 in. At that time I felt everyone else was panicking around me apart from me - I was beaming no nerves. I was 10 minutes early as I had planned to have some solo pics done before getting married so I just carried on with this not really aware of anyone around me. What I do remember is too of my little cousins and one saying to the other oh she really is a princess - her mouth wide open lol that made my day.

10 minutes later Im off to get married - I will confess I had a couple of puffs of a cigarette as I had to go outside to come back in still quite cool as I head up a large flight of stairs so here goes - half way up the stairs MAJOR PANIC ................

1) I think my bum is on show !!!! Why? Well those of you that wear a petticoat will know it has a big split at the back and I was convinced mine was on show so mad really so my bridesmaid gets under my dress and turns the split to the side panic over xx This was a real random mad moment that I still dont understand now lol;\)

So im at the door its shut I can hear the music start
2) I pull the straps on my dress to adjust myself and one strap goes ping !!!!!! S**T what can I do ? Nothing just crack

Doors open - music playing and a sea of familiar faces with beaming smiles all looking back at me - The bridesmaids head off down the aisle - its now my turn, I looked at my dad - he whispers I love you lets go darling and I start the walk - halfway down I started to cry I just couldnt hold back any longer I was totally overwhelmed by it all - i stop halfway and give my only brother and nephew a kiss and I make my way to my hubbies side.

Hubby wipes away a tear and whispered to me " you look stunning "

I will say this bit was a blur - we take our vowels that are very short and sweet - we both got all the words right and before I know it we are married - wooooooooooo hoooooooooo Im Mrs XXXX - the room is filled with cheers and woop woops and clapping it was a wonderful feeling - we signed the register had some pics and before I know it Im on my hubbies arm heading for the pre reception drinks

This part of the wedding was held on a raised floor level over looking the hotel it was stunning and I remember thinking to myself im so glad I picked this venue Im in love with it . The champagne is flowing, the piano man is playing lovely tunes its perfect and at this stage me and hubby decided to split up and mill around amongst our guests thanking them for coming etc etc - this part was fab fab fab . This lasted for around half an hour and then I heard dinner being announced and our guests start heading for the banqueting suite.

A this stage myself and my hubby took 5 minutes and we headed out back out of sight for a ciggie - we didnt say much to each other just held hands - I think I was reflecting on how it had all gone so far - big smile on my face whilst my hubbie was panicking about his speech he had ahead of him - we headed back inside the venue.

We knew it would take at least 30 minutes to seat everyone so we had all the wedding party pics taken eg our bridesmaids, mums and dads and best man. We all the headed down to the room and watched as they announced the wedding party in - 1st went mums and dads (they hated that bit but it did make the feel special ) then the bridesmaids and best man and lastly us - It was the 1st time I had seen the room finished and I must say it looked amazing - exactly how I had visualised it and had planned it to a tee - I can always now hear will you be upstanding for Mr & Mrs xxxx and the noise in fact it was quite scary - we headed in and headed to the top table to take our seats for dinner.

I will write the final part tomorrow hopefully as this may sound mad but doing this is really emotional and when you read later what happened in the evening you will understand why I get upset xxx

OMG, I'm hooked too! I've got tears in my eyes reading the candel bit, what a lovey touch!

OMG I cried when i read these i dread to think what ill be like when i read the next bit, cant wait

Ok ladies hoping I will get this final part written without too many tears so please be warned my wedding had a semi disaster all very much Im sure unique to me and not one I wish any other bride to face .

Just a few more details re the wedding - I did have a swing singer throughout dinner who was amazing , I did pass around during dinner 2 guests books and this really worked I loved them after, I also had jugs of beer at my table so the men were catered for and this was much appreciated.

Here goes ..................................

So dinner starts it was absolutely stunning food - main thing was it was piping hot and thats an achievement in itself for 250 guests at the same time - all our guests commented on how good the food was
Menu was - Emanaental Cheese and Panchetta tartlet (lol mini quiche) Chicken with a red wine jus, summer vegetables and Apple Pie and ice cream - delicious .

Through the dinner ( must admit i didnt really eat much ) I am merrily sipping champagne and my hubby is GUZZLING lager he is a nervous wreck so much so hes annoying me lol as I knew he would be fine and couldnt understand why he was so nervous. Whats nice about this time is people slowly pass by and have a little chat - I looked out at my guests often and I must say the room was full of cheer smiling faces and laughter - wonderful sight.

Both me and my hubby again planned to miss dessert and mingle around the room just doing quick hellos and thank yous of which was great - stop - I just heard the toastmaster mention the speeches will commence in 10 minutes so I thought it best I find my hubby and give him some encoragement so Im back at the top table holding hubbys hand saying your be fine chill.

I am going to just give a snapshot of the speeches and share with you some of the lines that I remember from them all so here we go

The toastmaster asks everyone for silence and states the FOB

DADS SPEECH
I looked up at my dad and said "go dad your be fine". Well my dad was a nervous wreck so much so he was shaking like a leaf I had to hold the paper he was reading from. I will never ever forget my dads speech - I knew he loved me no doubting that but what I didnt know was just how proud of me he was not only today but for what i had done in life - his speech was amazing and the words that I still get so choked up about were the closing lines - he said "Darren if Sharon is half as good a wife as she is a daughter then you will leave here today with the best wife a man could wish for " That said so much about how my dad felt. Dont mind admitting i was very tearful at this stage but also so so so proud to be my dads daughter - he is a legend. He closed by saying Mr X take good care of my baby xxxxx ( remembering this has just made me cry lol )

HUBBYS SPEECH
As i said earlier he was fine - he made a fantastic speech - he really thanked everyone for coming . did all the present giving to his ushers and bridesmaids , he made it very clear how thankful he was foe MY mum and dads help, he wittles on a bit about me how beautiful i looked how glad he was he had found me la la la BUT the best line of his speech for me was around his mum - a little background his dad left his mum when he was 8 and he remembers how hard his mum had to work to keep the family going so he said " Everyone I would like you to meet the other woman in my life - meet my mum Dianne " he turned to his mum and said a very heartfelt thank you to her and he was very grateful and he said " let it be known mum without you I would of had and been nothing so I thank you from the bottom of my heart - it was lovely he got a great reception.

BEST MAN
He gave a lovely speech , no dirt dished really just praised hubby for being a great friend but also a great man and that we were a lovely special couple and he wished us all the luck in the world. He also read some cards we had got from people that couldnt make it - both me and my hubby were tearful as 2 of our close friends couldnt make it as they now live in Lanzarote and Italy so we were very touched

THEN DA NA SHOCK HORROR THE BRIDE IS GOING TO GIVE A SPEECH - I KNEW I ALWAYS WOULD AND UP I STAND

BRIDES SPEECH

i was so nervous but knew I wanted to say some things as I was never ever gonna get both sides of my family plus all my friends in one place again so i start - I cant tell you the best lines in my speech as i loved them all lol but

I started by thanking saying im not gonna rattle on about my hubby as everyone must know now im very much in love as I just married the man of my dreams - leant over gave him a big kiss, then I thanked all our guests for coming, I told my hubbys parents and family I was really looking forward to good times ahead with them , I thanked both sides of my family for making me who i was today - | cried as I thanked my mum and dad as i knew and still know they are the most two special people in my life who have never ever let me down and never will - I described them as my rocks and said 3 words sum them up - SIMPLY THE BEST.

I went on to present my eldest aunty on each side of my family with a bouquet and ask they accept them on behalf of my nans who passed away, I gave flowers to my god mum as she is so important in my life

The I said a bit about family members who had past away and this is wher I explained we would light the candle later so they were here with us in spirit - what i did say and I meant from the heart was
"my only regret about today is some very influential special people are no longer here therefore they cannot share the most important day of my life but i hope and pary they are looking down on me with a glass of bubbly in hand and I hope they are not only proud of me and Darren but of us all as a family " I raised a toast to absent family and friends.

Last by no means least i thanked my best friend and asked all guests to stand raise a toast and she came up and received some flowers - lol she was blubbering - i laughed as she is such a hard cow it made a change to see her emotions

I closed by saying lets party hard and lets have fun. xxxx

So everyones mingling, some tables are moved free bar is open and DJ starts and they announce we are to cut the cake - we cut the cake , light the candle and make our way to the floor for our dreaded 1st dance - it was amazing - we danced to Simply Red - You make me feel brand new - it was amazing we did fine and I would say it was one of the best moments of my day - my hubby holding me close I felt content i was proud to be Mrs XXx

You ready for this bit lol - Im not gonna go into it too much so will be brief BUT

As we are leaving the dance floor a MASSIVE fight broke out up at the bar area - it was only 6 people involved all from the same family but in short it was so viscious the police were called and the music was stopped - it started and ended within 2 minutes I was beside myself crying \I went to my room - by this time I had been advised that the remainder of my evening reception was cancelled - so without any gory details its not as bad as it seems as we moved to the main bar area - i would say approx 200 out of the 250 stayed and in fairness they partied on and so did we - we held it together if anything people made sure they had a good time in order for our wedding not to be spoiled so

1. Our guests honestly didnt feel any different yes they were shocked there had been a fight but they moved to a big bar area music was playing and drink flowing all they expected realy

I knew the difference as i had lots planned for the evening that never happened but moving on I can still say I had a fantastic day it was everything I dreamed of and more and I got to be Mrs XXx

So there you go ladies - do i have any advise for you well a bit lol

Plan ahead and make sure everyone knows what you want and expect and apart from that go with that flow and take every moment in and just enjoy yourselves

Good luck i wish you all the very best xx Big Hugs xx;\)

think i have scared you all off lol dont worry ladies ur weddings will be fine x;\)

What a beautiful album, sounds like a lovely day x