Rebecca and Richard
10/06/2006 – St Mary’s Church in Whitchurch, Cardiff
Miskin Manor, nr Cardiff
How and when did you meet?
We met in November 2003. I had just moved to Cardiff and my best friend was in the same social group as him and decided to set us up!
How old are you both?
I’m 24, Rich is 25.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
He proposed in our local pub five days before Christmas 2003. We had only been seeing each other for six weeks but both knew it was right. The pub was really full so he didn’t get down on one knee but it was still romantic.
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
Yes, but both were quiet occasions. I had a meal and cinema night with my closest friends and he went to the pub with his mates.
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
Not so much, which was a good thing. I did the research and he picked his favourite!
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
I used the cafe daily. I really couldn’t have done it without the help and advice I received there.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
.
I wore “Audrey” by Hollywood Dreams.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had three bridesmaids. Rich’s sister, Sarah, my brother’s girlfriend, Emily and my best friend, Sue. They all wore red long dresses from the Debut collection at Debenhams.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
The best man was Rich’s best friend, Rhodri. The ushers were my eldest brother, Stephen, and Rich’s eldest brother, Colin. The ushers wore black Prince Edward suits with a pewter/silver cravat and waistcoat. Rich had a different waistcoat in burgundy with a gold cravat.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
We had a religious ceremony.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
At St Mary’s Church in Whitchurch, Cardiff.
Where did you hold your reception?
Miskin Manor, nr Cardiff.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
We had two Vanden Plas Princess cars.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
There were 60 guests in the day and a further 20 for the evening.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Our colours were ivory, burgundy & silver.The theme ended up being Welsh!
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
We had burgundy flowers for the table centre pieces and sheep toppers for the cake.
Did you give your guests favours?
Yes, mini chocolate love spoons and they were delicious!
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
My bouquet was gorgeous – black baccara and grand prix roses, with a few diamantes tied by an ivory ribbon. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were ivory roses with foliage. The florist was Flowerlodge in Rhiwbina.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
The venue catered. Salmon for starter, followed by Welsh beef and all the trimmings, for dessert we had Welsh whiskey cheesecake with a grand marnier ice cream.
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
It was a “traditional” three tiered white wedding cake except the pillars were made from sugar sheep and the bride and groom toppers were sheep too! It was made by Dragons & Daffodils.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
There was a disco for the evening.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
The gift list was with Argos.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
The first night was at our venue -Miskin Manor. We had two glorious weeks at the Rendezvous hotel in St Lucia booked through Virgin.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
There are so many but I think my favourite moment was just after Rich and I got married and we were in the wedding car on the way to the venue. It was so nice to have some “us” time and reflect on the day so far.
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
None on the run up to the wedding, but on the day only one of the wedding cars turned up. My dad and I arrived to the church 20 minutes late and in a taxi!
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
I wouldn’t do anything differently (except maybe book a different wedding car company!) My advice would be to stay calm and just enjoy the run up to, and on, the day. No one could believe how relaxed I was, and on the morning of the wedding I was even making cups of tea for everybody!
