Joanna and John
05/08/2006 – Ceremony address
Reception address
How and when did you meet?
We met at a local venue. I was working behind the bar and we just got chatting. Eventually we started seeing each other. It was a rocky start as I had a lot of history following me. But John was great, kept going and eventually we settled down together. He’s made me happier than I can remember being.
How old are you both?
Jo is 27 and John is 28.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
He proposed at home. He had taken me out for a meal to the local Beefeater. While we were out, he had given my neighbor a key to our house and instructions. When we arrived home the front room was covered in rose petals and candles, and he got down on one knee … the rest is history as they say.
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
John went to Newquay for a weekend and I had a weekend away in Bournemouth.
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
John and I handmade all our invitations. Beyond that he nodded and agreed to things as required! He knows me too well to interfere! (Yep, I’m one of them!)
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
Confetti had an excellent music support section. It helped us choose our hymns and processional music.
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
I bought some of the personalised items and trivia from confetti.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.
I had a Maggie Sottero dress that I bought online. It saved me nearly £300 on the shop price.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had six bridesmaids. Three very close friends, two from my uni days. John’s sister, my cousin and my friend’s 11 year old daughter. They wore a Forever Yours design in three different shades of pink. I had them imported in from America at a third of the UK cost.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
John chose one of his oldest friends as bestman and two of his brothers were ushers. They all wore suits and waistcoats from Youngs Hire.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
Religious.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
St Michaels Church, Tilehurst, Reading.
Where did you hold your reception?
The Ibis Prudential club, Reading.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
I had a cream Beauford with the top down.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
There were 95 day guests with a further 90 invited for the evening.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
The theme was based around the colour choice-pink!
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
Yes, we used various shades of rose petals scattered on the tables and bubbles and favour boxes with satin roses on.
Did you give your guests favours?
Yes, little favour boxes with sweets inside, bubbles, balloons and love heart sweets with our name and wedding date on them.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
We had a local florist do the work (village florists- Tilehurst). The main flower choice was pink stargazer lilies. I had a tear drop bouquet and the bridesmaids had a small posy with the lily in the middle and various shades of pink roses around the edge.
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 the catering. We started with a fruit medley, followed by a full roast dinner and finished with a strawberry pavlova.
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
I had a rather different wedding cake. Four tiers on an offset stand. Two tiers of fruit cake, one chocolate sponge and one vanilla. It was decorated with three shades of pink hearts and a personalised bride and groom on top. It was made for us by a friend of John’s mum.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
We had a DJ in the evening.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
We had a gift list with Debenhams.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
We spent the first night in a local hotel. Four poster bed! Nice! Our honeymoon was in Egypt.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
I’m not really sure! It all went so quickly! I think I just loved every last minute of it.
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
Family was the main issue! Changing their minds at the last minute about who would or wouldn’t be coming!
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
Ignore everyone! Families I’m sure are just there to give you grief! Stay strong and remember it’s a day for you two! No one else really matters! Keep smiling!
