So, briefly, the week before the Big Day went fine, no major hassles and I was quite calm and loved finishing the booklets and favours. Was off for the week, so I picked up all the final bits and pieces and got the things done in the house which I wanted. We had relations coming from Holland and USA, and because I was off could collect them from Airport, it was great to see them, they were all so excited about the wedding.
We had our rehearsal on the Thursday evening and it went great, although we both got a bit weepy (as did my big sis, who was also my BM) . One of the best men had travelled down from Donegal with his wife and 2 kids, one of which is our Godchild, so it was great having everyone special to us there at the same time. The only blip, I would say was that the priest informed us at the rehearsal that there had been a death in the parish and the Funeral was on Saturday at 11am (Our wedding was at 1pm). Neither of us was too panicked about this and Fr. Pat assured us that it shouldn’t run on too late and that he would call me when he got back from the cemetery to let me know it was ok to make our way to the church. So the next day, Friday, I just called the florist to let her know to call to our house and the best mans house first and leave the church till last to allow the funeral time to finish. So other than that everything was fine. I collected the BM dresses and my lace bolero from the dressmakers, got some food in M&S for that night when my BM’s and mum would be down, went to the bank and headed home. Hubby had gone with One of the best men to the hotel with the cake and champagne and our overnight bag, which was packed in 5 mins flat!!! I couldn’t tell you what I threw in, but we had our outfits for the day after so that’s all that matters.
So that evening, my mam and 2 of the BMs arrived to the house. Hubby arrived back and we had just enough time to sneak a few minutes alone together. I was really emotional at this stage. Hubby said he couldn’t wait to see me the next day and promised to watch me walk up the aisle. I couldn’t believe that the time had come and that the next time I saw him we would be getting married!!! We exchanged gifts, he bought me a beautiful set of Diamond Studs with a matching pendant, which was beautiful and gave me a gorgeous card with a letter inside which he told me not to open till he left. I gave him a CK black faced watch, which he loved and card with my own personal message to him, telling him that he was making me the happiest woman in the world. So kisses and hugs goodbye, my mam and BM’s sat down for something to eat, had a few Cosmos, courtesy of my lil sis who brought her cocktail shaker. I read hubby’s letter and cried at how beautiful his words were as did my mam and sister. Soppy Cows, the lot of us!!!
We had a relatively early night, texted my hubby to say goodnight and had a wonderful nights sleep.
Woke the next day at about 7.30am, refreshed and looking forward to the next few hours. The weather was great, no rain, blue skys and lovely and fresh. Had my shower and the hairdresser arrived at about half eight. Make-up arrived at about 9.15 and it was all systems go. I have to say that I was completely relaxed, and kept asking “what should I do now”. By 12 I was ready, make up done, hair done, and just need to get dressed. The videographer had arrived a bit earlier and so caught us all on camera getting beautified and popping champagne. So, so far so good, surely everything shouldn’t be this calm the morning of your wedding….but it was…absolutely NOTHING went wrong. At 1pm Fr. Pat rang to say that he was back and we could start heading down in the next 15 mins or so. So final bits and pieces, jewellery, touch up lippy, final few photos, (Photographer headed off to get some photos of the lads at the church). So time to go…. Dreaded falling down the stairs as I was leaving the house, but didn’t thank God. Dad and I got into the car, a beautiful black Lexus, and he squeezed my hand all the way to the church, while making small talk to keep me calm, but I was fine. I was so looking forward to walking up the aisle. Few photo’s outside the church and it was time to go. I took a deep breath as the doors opened to the sound of Pachelbels Canon and the BM’s headed off. Me next… I started to walk, keeping in mind the advice from other Wollies not to race up the aisle, when a huge gust of wind came in sweeping my cathedral length veil across to my right and into the guests. It was quickly put back in place and off we went again. All I can remember is beaming from ear to ear and my hubby watching me walk up the aisle, with a matching beam. Then I was there at the top and the smile never left my face for the rest of the day. The ceremony was absolutely fantastic. We were both so at ease because of the wonderful priest who had a few quiet words with us at various times throughout the ceremony and cracked a few jokes to keep the mood light. Everyone commented on how beautiful and relaxed the ceremony was and we were delighted that we took the time to include readings, music and prayers that were special to us. I can’t believe that I hardly cried at all during the ceremony, I was convinced that I would blub all the way through it.
So after the ceremony, signing of register etc we headed outside to meet all our guests. This is captured on DVD and it was great to see it as it fly’s by. So after a few more photos it was back to the hotel. We had a few glasses of Champagne on the way and I was a bit tipsy when I got to the hotel, but mostly with happiness.
We arrived to the hotel to be greeted by the manager with more champagne, which I held but didn’t drink. We had a couple of minutes at the champagne reception and had a few strawberries (delicious) before heading out for yet more photos.
What can I say about the reception other than we couldn’t have asked for anything more, the food, the décor, the speeches, the atmosphere, everything was perfect. Our guests couldn’t have praised the venue more and both the hotel and staff got a huge round of applause for everything they did.
Our first dance was magical, Harvest Moon by Neil Young, which was always our song from the time we were 14 and 16 and started going out.
The band Vertigo had everyone up all night as is evident on the DVD. We had Celtic Rhythm as a surprise and everyones jaw dropped, they were just fantastic. Watching it again makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks. We got to speak to most people during the night, but don’t stress too much about this as it is virtually impossible to do.
So after a night of great food, drink, dancing and conversation at 2am I’m afraid I couldn’t go on anymore and had to say goodnight. Hubby stayed down a bit longer to make sure everyone was ok and then joined me to enjoy our wonderful Penthouse room. We left the Hot tub till the following night though, as we were wrecked. Went to bed as husband and wife and were both asleep in 2 seconds flat.!!
Awoke the next day to champagne breakfast and read through all our cards and gifts. We were really blown away by people’s good wishes and generosity. Spent the morning with our families and guests who had stayed over and had good post mortem of the previous day. We stayed in the hotel for a second night and got good use of the beautiful room and of course the hot tub!!!!
We headed off on Honeymoon on the Tuesday for three weeks to the States and had a great start to our married lives.
All in all our wedding was more than we could ever have dreamt of. I had a bit of an anti climax afterwards, not helped by the fact that I could hardly remember anything, but that soon left when we got or album and DVD and met some of our guests who reminded us of things we had forgotten. To all the brides to be- enjoy every minute of the preparations, try to stay as calm as possible and remember all that matters is you and your H2B, IT’S YOUR DAY!!!!.
Thanks to all the Wollies who shared all their plans and ideas and answered all my questions, it is greatly appreciated. Hopefully, I can be as helpful to all of you as you have been to me.
So that’s it. Sorry if I bored you, but it is difficult to put into words how truly special and wonderful the day really is. Now all I have to do is look forward to many years with my New Husband and enjoy the memories and of course make New Ones.
SUPPLIERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Dress: Maggie Sottero-Michelle. Bought in Alexanders Bridal who were very nice.
Veil, Tiara and Earrings: Veilshop.com-Stunning and arrived with no hassle in plenty of time.
Shoes: My treasured possession from Jimmy Choo, but bought on e-bay for a fraction of the price although they were so comfy, I would have paid anything for them.
Grooms and Groomsmen Suits: Black tie- No problems at all and fitted hubby’s uncle 2 days before the wedding as he had just arrived from Sates, with no problems.
BM’S Dresses: Gownsales.com. Again, a great experience, tiny alterations to be made and had to pay customs but still saved a fortune.
BM’S Shoes: Next directory
Hotel: Osprey in Naas. Cannot praise them enough. Everything was perfect from the minute we arrived.
Church Music/Drinks reception music: Bohemian Strings. So helpful and friendly, Antonin and Petra were fantastic to deal with and even learned a song specially for us. Loved the church music and they went down very well at the drinks reception even though we didn’t really get to hear them as we were getting photos outside.
Hair: Sandra Crosbie…Genius. A nicer person you could not meet and truly can work wonders.
Make-up: Grainne at the Beauty Room, Clane. Came to the house. Again, fantastic at what she does and such a nice person. Delighted with the results.
Band: Vertigo. A recommendation form WOL. Absolutely brilliant and had everyone up all night.
Celtic Rhythm Dancers: What can I say…but WOW. Superb and jaw-dropping entertainment.
Photographer: Nicola Webster, check out her website. She is a brilliant photographer. Out album will be worn out, we’ve looked at it so many times!!
Videographer: Emmet Cooke from Event Video. Hardly noticed him there all day, but he captured everything. Again, to all those who wonder about getting a video, please do it. He captured so much that we did not see and lots that we forgot. Quality of his work is superb and a really nice guy as well.
Finally some photos: www.photobox.co.uk e-mail:sandra@berkeley.ie/password: wedding
Enjoy!!!!!
sorry.
