Emily and Mark
11/02/2006
Queens’ College Chapel, Cambridge
Hinchingbrooke House, Huntingdon 
How and when did you meet?
We met at University – I was in my first year and Mark was about to graduate.
How old are you both?
I’m 24 and Mark’s 26.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
He proposed to me in front of two hundred people at the end of his world record attempt for the longest ever stand up comedy performance! We were both exhausted and a bit drunk, but it was totally incredible, especially to have so many friends there at such an important moment. My dad only found out on Ceefax!
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
I had a small but lovely party with five of my closest friends. We went horse-riding in Hyde Park and then had afternoon tea at a posh hotel. Mark went away for a weekend with about ten mates.
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
He was really great, and very supportive. He did everything and we laughed so much planning things and making stuff like invitations and the orders of service.
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
I used the Cafe a lot, especially when my wedding got close, and also the Venue Search.
Do you have a confetti web page?
No.
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
Yes, both.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
A white Lucy Lin fishtail two piece with a chapel-length veil from Berketex Bride in Croydon. I loved it so much!
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
Yes, my two best friends from school and university, Mark’s twin sisters, and his little cousin. They wore Alfred Sung burgundy two piece strapless dresses in a beautiful velvet. They carried lanterns with tea lights, and each wore a fresh rose in their hair.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
His brother and a very good friend of ours were best men, and then my brother plus some other friends were ushers. They wore traditional morning suits in black with red cravats.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
Religious.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
In the Chapel of Queens’ College in Cambridge, which is where we met and fell in love. (Not in the chapel, at the college!)
Where did you hold your reception?
At Hinchingbrooke House in Huntingdon.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
Yes, we had gorgeous old fashioned cars. The bridesmaids had a black Daimler, and we had a burgundy and black Burghampton.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
There were 103 day guests, and about 25 friends from college as evening guests.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Deep red and black with touches of gold. Lots of long-stemmed grand prix roses and hand-made things like menus in black with gold stamps.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
As above! Lots of home-made things. We tied the napkins with red ribbon, and had red feathers in all the glasses. There were three roses in very tall vases in the centre of every table, and rose petals scattered around. The menus, table numbers and place cards were all in black with gold writing.
Did you give your guests favours?
We bought sparklers but weren’t allowed to put them on the tables!
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
My bouquet was made up of grand prix and black baccara roses with berries and deep waxy green leaves. The little flower girl had a smaller version of my bouquet. The florist was The Flower Patch in Huntingdon and they were excellent.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
The venue did it – we had a roast dinner, with soup to start and lemon pastry to finish. We wanted cosy food as it was winter.
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
A beautiful three-tiered chocolate cake with white chocolate curls and fresh red roses by Purita Hyam. By far my biggest extravagance!
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
Yes, a friend of mine sang during the reception drinks, then we had a ceilidh in the evening.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
John Lewis.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
At the Old Bridge Hotel in Huntingdon. The next morning we had a big roast dinner with our families, and then flew to Kenya. We went on a safari and booked through STA travel.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
Absolutely all of it, but especially coming into the church and seeing all the bridesmaids in a row, looking stunning and beaming at me. Going down the aisle, making my vows, the first dance… And hundreds of red rose petals in the air outside the gates of the college – the confetti throwing moment.
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
My mum’s car broke down on the day before the wedding and we were 45 minutes late for the rehearsal! I was quite calm until I saw her running across the car park with my wedding dress scrunched up in her arms and then I panicked! We had a big row which was mostly in the dark as we couldn’t find the lights in the hotel room – very silly.
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
Love every minute! It’s so incredible, and I’ve never been more transcendentally happy. The only things I would change are so tiny and insignificant compared to how brilliant the day was. One thing is to remember how hungry guests can get! We gave everyone whisky and fudge straight after the ceremony to keep them going and it went down really well.
