Sam and Phil drove to Lake Garda in Italy where they said “I Do” in front of their close family and friends, in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The gorgeous couple’s love for one another is just adorable and an inspiration to us all.
Bride and Groom… Sam and Phil
Wedding date… Tuesday 20th August 2013
We met… On a Caravan Club holiday rally in France in 2002. We spent lots of weekends away together with our friends before finally becoming a couple on bonfire night in 2005, aged just 16.
The proposal… We decided to get engaged in 2010 and chose the ring together to Phil’s relief. I hoped the ring would be ready for our fifth anniversary but Phil assured me it wouldn’t. He lied so he could surprise me with the ring on our anniversary at a large fireworks display. Unfortunately, we missed it due to traffic so decide to have our own fireworks display in Phil’s parents garden. As he set the rocket off he got down on one knee.
We knew it was ‘the one’… Sam: “Having been friends for a few years it didn’t take long, things were just perfect.”
Phil: “I fancied Sam for a while, so it was quite soon into the relationship”
Length of engagement… 2 years and 9 months
How did Confetti.co.uk help in your big day? Inspiration! We used the website for most of our ideas.
My dress was… By Justin Alexander. I went shopping with my Mum, my aunty Karen and Phil’s Mum; we went to the Wedding Show at the NEC in Birmingham. I promised I wouldn’t try on any dresses as it was too soon, but when I got there I decided one wouldn’t hurt. I tried on a fishtail dress but I felt like a ‘frump’. I spotted ‘my dress’ hanging shorter than all the others. My Mum wasn’t too sure about the length as I think she imagined a BIG white wedding dress. I had to try it on just to see, as soon as I came out of the changing room everyone turned and “aww’d”. Just to make sure it was the one, Mum suggested I try it on in the full length version, but no one was impressed. I found Fairytale Brides in Manchester who sold Justin Alexander dresses and booked an appointment.
Our wedding ceremony was… In Commune di Saló, Lake Garda, Italy. We had a large wedding party even though we were abroad. Our parents had organised a two week holiday for around 20 caravans to Italy. We exchanged vows at a civil ceremony in a beautiful town hall in an amazing room with spectacular views over the lake. Phil and his Best man arrived by speedboat, me and my dad arrived in a vintage Fiat 500.
Did anything funny or unusual happen at your wedding? When we were having our rehearsal the day before, the wedding planner told Phil “all you have to do is say ‘yes’”. So whilst saying ours vows, Phil said “Yes”, which confused the Italian Registrar who was waiting for an “I do”, after a long pause I had to prompt him to say “I do”
Supplier:
Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Wedding Shoes: Perfect Court Shoes | Wedding Suits: Next | Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy’s After Six and Alfred Sung | Wedding Entertainment: Tony Crivaro, DJ (Organised through Best Wedding Away) | Wedding Photographer: ArteFotoArona | Wedding Transport: Organised through Best Wedding Away
Our bridesmaids were… My best friend from school, Sarah, and my best friend from the Caravan Club, Bryher, along with one little miss bridesmaid Phil’s niece, Charlotte.
Our groomsmen were… Phil’s best mate Ross, along with Craig Phil’s nephew as “Ring Security” and Philip and Martyn were our ushers.
Our wedding photographer was… Enrico Mocci from ArteFotoArona
Our wedding was unique and special because… It was OURS. It was tailor made by us.
Supplier:
Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Wedding Shoes: Perfect Court Shoes | Wedding Suits: Next | Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy’s After Six and Alfred Sung | Wedding Entertainment: Tony Crivaro, DJ (Organised through Best Wedding Away) | Wedding Photographer: ArteFotoArona | Wedding Transport: Organised through Best Wedding Away
Our wedding reception was… After a scenic boat ride across the lake, we had Aperitifs on a veranda over the lake, at Hotel Sogno in San Felice Del Benaco. Coaches transferred our party to the evening reception on the outside terrace at Hotel Villa Luisa, a little way up the hill from the lake. The views of the lake and surrounding hills were spectacular. We had no idea where to have the ceremony or the reception, so we let the wedding planners suggest ideas. We went through numerous options with them; we looked at hotels and even a castle until we found the perfect venues. We never thought we’d have a split reception but it worked so well.
Our wedding colours were… Purple and ivory along with little bits of lace and pearl. Our theme was very family orientated, with my grandparents on my bouquet and Phil’s grandparents’ in his jacket in little photo frames. All the reception tables were named after our parents and grandparents, with us as children on the top table!
Our first dance was… Long after tonight by Jimmy Radcliffe. It was the first song we ever slow danced to when we were 16 and it’s the only song Phil will dance to.
Our favourite part of the wedding was… Everything. From arriving in style to crowds of local people, our friends reading in Italian, having strangers in the cafes along the promenade clapping and cheering as we walked past, the boat ride with our guests, amazing food, perfect weather and most importantly becoming Mr and Mrs.
For our honeymoon we decided … To stay in Italy. We had driven to Italy (had to take a lot of things with us) so decided on a trip around the lake to visit the places we’d not seen. We stayed in beautiful hotels in Riva and Garda for a week. It was worth the journey and we got to see so many villages, towns and sights in between.
What is your advice for other brides? We made an awful lot of things ourselves with the help of family and friends, all the stationary, invites, favours, flowers and cake. This took time and effort but saved us a fortune in the long run, especially as we sourced the items ourselves. It also added that personal touch. I would also suggest that you have everything prepared the night before, including music to dance to with the girls. Most importantly stay cool! I was so calm that even my hairdresser wondered what was wrong with me. I enjoyed the day so much, took it all in!
Supplier:
Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Wedding Shoes: Perfect Court Shoes | Wedding Suits: Next | Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy’s After Six and Alfred Sung | Wedding Entertainment: Tony Crivaro, DJ (Organised through Best Wedding Away) | Wedding Photographer: ArteFotoArona | Wedding Transport: Organised through Best Wedding Away
Above, cloclwise from top left: Amore Silverplated Horseshoe | Personalised Onyx Cufflinks | Large Metal Jug Centrepiece | Pearls and Lace Laser Embossed Place Cards
