When was your wedding?
26/05/2007
How and when did you meet?
We met at a party when we were 17 and then found out we went to schools right next door to each other.
How old are you both?
26
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
Saturday 1st October 2005. We were on holiday in the Dominican Republic and it was actually Chris’ birthday on the 6th. What I didn’t know at the time that the present his parents had given me to give to him was actually my ring in a lot of padding!!! After a meal at a gorgeous restaurant, we walked along the beach and I turned around to find Chris on one knee!
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
We went away the same weekend, each with 5 close friends. Us girlies went to Menorca and sunbathed every day!
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
Chris did get involved where I let him but we shortly realised I was bit of a Monica! In all seriousness, we went through everything together and made sure we both liked the same ideas etc… The only thing he didn’t have a clue on was my dress, hair and jewelry
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
I used the guest list tool and found the table planner a god send!
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
I actually sell wedding invites etc… and so used confetti for a lot of the ‘make your own’ items such as envelopes, favour boxes and ordered reams of 16mm chiffon ribbon in rose
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
I bought my dress from a lovely little boutique called Elegance in Bebington, Wirral. There really is nothing like that ‘family’ style touch. I owe them a lot of hugs for the stress free nature they bestowed on me! Nothing was too little or too much. My actual dress was a Benjamin Roberts one which was layers of ivory tulle with embroidery and bead work to the bodice. Elegance then added more beading to the bottom to turn it into the dress of my dreams.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had 4 bridesmaids; my friends Elaine and Lisa, along with my brothers girlfriend and dear friend to me, Jennie and Chris’ sister Melissa; her beautiful daughter Lana was my flower girl.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
His Best Man was without doubt Adam, the person at the root of most of Chris’ mischief growing up. My Brother and brother‐in‐law were Ushers, along with a close friend, Mike.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
Religious
Where did you hold your ceremony?
Christ Church, Port Sunlight
Where did you hold your reception?
Craxton Wood Hotel and Country Club, Cheshire
Did you have any special wedding transport?
We had three beautiful Cream cars ( the third to ensure the Best Man and Ushers went to the reception and not the pub!)
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
We had a total of 84 people at the day and around 160 to the evening
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
My bridesmaids were in a beautiful light teal colour and so I wanted to contrast this with a girlie pink. Everything was very delicate with a theme running through all my invites, place cards, menus and favours.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
As above really. I used a beautiful damask paper to make everything and this really went together with the over all look we wanted to create.
Did you give your guests favours?
Yes, The men got cards, made using the damask paper, with a lottery ticket inside, and the women got a favour box with a minature perfume.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
My bouquet was made from roses and lillys predominantly, with a mailny pink tone, and some small hints of ivory. The bridesmaids bouquets then contrasted with a hint of pink but mainly ivory. For the tables, I bought mirrored cubed vases and the flowers sat inside‐ they were quite understated but exactly what I wanted. Melanie ( Melanie Lousie Florist, Bebington), was fantastic at turning your ideas into a vision that really worked.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
The venue handled our catering and we chose quite a simple menu: leek and potato soup, chicken. then passion fruit cheesecake
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
My Auntie Betty made our wedding cake as our gift and I it really was the cake of my dreams. She asked me what idea I had in mind, I showed her three pictures and that was it ‐ AMAZING!
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
I walked down the aisle to a piece of music played by a string quartet and they then moved onto the reception to entertain guests during the photographs. For the evening we had a Frank Sinatra impersonator as we both love Rat Pack music and this really went down a storm. This was followed by a DJ
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
We had lived together for 3 years so our Gift List was made up of a Next List along with B and Q vouchers etc…
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
Our first night was spent at Craxton Wood then we jetted off to Antigua to a resort called Hermitage Bay for a blissful 2 weeks.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
I remember through all the photographs etc, just after cutting the cake, Chris pulled me aside, kissed my hand and just said ‘we’re Married!’ and that sticks out so much. What we didn’t know at the time was that the photographer actually got it in one of our favourite shots of the day!
Did you experience any “nightmare” moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
Guest lists!! People dropping out due to Family issues that really were nothing to do with either of us! I think my best piece of advise to anyone int he same situation would be to remind you to take it on the chin as at the end of the day, its about the two of you, and no one else. Listen to what people have to say if they want to share their opinion with you, but ultimately, talk between the two of you and stay happy!
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
Enjoy every moment. A friend who was recently married told me to make sure I took 5 minutes to just sit with Chris in the corner of the room and just take in everything going on around us‐ make sure you do it as the day will fly by!
