How do you bring Mexico to a pier in Torquay? This week’s Real Wedding couple Jessica and Justin know how… maracas, piñatas and lots of colour. With the help of their family they transformed the pier in to a rainbow of Mexican goodies. Impressively a lot of the decorations were handmade! We should really thank Ava Images for letting us share a wedding infused with so much culture and colour, a much needed treat this gloomy winter.
Bride and Groom… Jessica and Justin
Wedding date… Thursday 2nd January 2014
We met… Through the Bristol Triathlon Club after completing our Ironman races.
The proposal… Justin proposed on my 30th birthday in Kuwait, where we are currently living. He organised a party for me and had arranged for video messages from all my family and friends in the UK and Mexico. It was very emotional. After an amazing party we got home where he proposed, just me and him…it was perfect.
I knew he was ‘the one’… The day I met him, he was a true gentleman.
Length of engagement… 9 months.
How did Confetti.co.uk help in your big day? I read articles on Confetti which helped me prepare for the big day!
Our wedding ceremony was… Held in my home town at the Spanish Barn in Torquay. 70 people attended which included some relatives from Mexico and a dear friend from Kuwait. We had a non-religious, very colourful Mexican themed wedding. My mum, who is Mexican, had made all the decorations herself; paper flowers, decorated jars and papel picado. We also had some maracas bought over from Mexico which we placed on chairs for people to rattle when we kissed at the end of the ceremony. Both of our readings were read by my best friends; one of which was about cycling which was just perfect for the both of us.
Our groomsmen were… Justin’s’ best friend, Mike with his two boys, Max and Archie as our ushers.
Our bridesmaids were… My sisters Jenny, Claudia and Susana.
My dress was… A Veromia dress and it was a wildcard dress! I went dress shopping with my sisters, Mum and my two best friends. I had an idea of the dress I wanted, something very simple; strapless, fishtail with little detail. The shop assistant in The Bridal Box Torquay recommended a dress for me to try on which I wasn’t keen on at all; it wasn’t what I was looking for. When I tried it on, I took a moment for myself in the changing room to take it all in… I loved it! I walked out to show the others and they loved it too! Mum cried and my sisters got a little teary eyed! I knew it was the one there and then but tried on others afterwards just in case. My mum went back the next day to put down the deposit.
Our favourite part of the wedding was… Exchanging vows with Justin, listening to Justin’s and my Dad’s speech and seeing all my Mum’s wonderful decorations everywhere. The whole day was just amazing!
Suppliers:
Wedding Dress: Veromia from The Bridal Box, Torquay | Bridesmaid Dresses: Brides at Waterfields | Wedding Entertainment: The Mafia Babies | Wedding Photographer: Ava Images | Wedding cake: Simply Delicious | Wedding Makeup: Beauty by Nina | Wedding Hair: Gemma Burnie | Wedding Videographer: JC Vids: | Wedding Catering: Pier Point, Torquay.
Our wedding photographer was… Ava Images. They took all of our professional and ceremony images which were just fantastic.
Our wedding reception was… At the Pier Point Café Bar, Torquay. I had always wanted to get married at Pier Point. The seafront location and the view from the pier are just sensational. We also wanted something a bit less formal and Pier Point accommodated to our every need, going out of their way to make sure it was just how we wanted it.
Our wedding theme was… Mexican, with all colours!
Our wedding was unique and special because… It was Mexican themed; fun and filled with colour. Mum had made mini piñatas, paper flowers, papel picado and the centre pieces. My Aunty and Uncle brought decorations from Mexico including mini sombreros with our names on, maracas, table runners and Mexican sweets. We also had some piñatas to smash which was a lot of fun!
Our wedding cake was... Made by Simply Delicious.
Suppliers:
Wedding Dress: Veromia from The Bridal Box, Torquay | Bridesmaid Dresses: Brides at Waterfields | Wedding Entertainment: The Mafia Babies | Wedding Photographer: Ava Images | Wedding cake: Simply Delicious | Wedding Makeup: Beauty by Nina | Wedding Hair: Gemma Burnie | Wedding Videographer: JC Vids: | Wedding Catering: Pier Point, Torquay.
Our first dance was… Let’s Stay Together by Al Green
Did anything funny or unusual happen at your wedding? An old lady in a wheelchair was stunned when she saw a bride on the pier flashing her ‘just married’ pants.
What is your advice for other brides? Enjoy every single minute because the day really does fly by!
Our honeymoon was to… We haven’t been yet but we’ll be going to South Africa where I’ll be doing another Ironman.
Suppliers:
Wedding Dress: Veromia from The Bridal Box, Torquay | Bridesmaid Dresses: Brides at Waterfields | Wedding Entertainment: The Mafia Babies | Wedding Photographer: Ava Images | Wedding cake: Simply Delicious | Wedding Makeup: Beauty by Nina | Wedding Hair: Gemma Burnie | Wedding Videographer: JC Vids: | Wedding Catering: Pier Point, Torquay.
Create the Look
If you love Jessica and Justin’s colourful wedding then you’ll love our mini mood board below and our Retro collection in the shop!
Above, clockwise from top left: “BRIDE” Wedding Transfer | Paper Parasol with Bamboo Boning | Mini Suitcase Wishing Well | “Celebration Peonies” Tissue Paper Flowers
