luckycinders
06-14-2008, 05:36 PM
Here goes - here is my wedding - June 1st at blenheim palace - woodstock
photos are on valephotos.co.uk bride - marneta groom - stuart 1st June wedding date
Background
I am 39 and last year I put up an advert on the internet - PRINCE WANTED - CINDERELLA IS LOOKING FOR A NON SMOKING VEGETARIAN PRINCE! I had 20 replies and then this lovely reply from Stuart. We emailed for a week and even though he was 10 years younger we agreed to have a date at Blenheim Palace. But, the day before we met, I went to my local cafe for lunch and I got a text from Stuart asking if I was in that same cafe. Apparently he was eating his lunch and got a feeling i was in the room, looked up and recognised me from the tiny photo i had sent him. When we met at the palace, we got on so well and he asked me to marry him 4 days later. We agreed to book Bleneheim palace for our wedding - (even though it was out of our budget as we were paying ourselves) - as it was the place where we had both fallen in love at first sight.
I have no idea where the time went, but at 11, we had a little toast with all the bridesmaids. I gave them each a bag of gifts and it was time to get into my dress.
Took a bit of pulling in! Lyn my maid of honour had had a lesson at the bridal shop the day before. After 20 mins of pulling, she was so sweaty, she needed another shower. The bridesmaids got ready upstairs and as I was putting my dress on downstairs. When we were all ready, we met up and it was so lovely to see them. They looked so beautiful. I had 4 bridesmaids and a maid of honour. The bridesmaids wore cream lace dresses and maid of honour was in chocolate. They all had chocolate satin shoes and a cream wrap.
There was a moment in the kitchen when i freaked out and hated my makeup and hair. I pulled out the fake lashes and almost started crying saying that i looked too made up! My sister calmed me down and pearl my bridesmaid made me down a load of rescue remedy and i calmed down instantly. I just panicked that i wasnt beautiful enough - i wish i had lost the 2 stone that i wanted to lose - but just couldnt get motivated!!!! So i was a rounded size 16!
Andy, my friend who was giving me away arrived at 11.20 in a brown suit with cream trimmings. He stopped as I stepped out and gasped - bless him. Some neighbours came out to take pictures. I had told them what time I was leaving and all the children from the village came to see 'the princess'. I had some confetti for them to play with and gave them all favours and bubbles that i saved for them. It was lovely to be sent off with the children giggling.
We drove about 20 minutes to the side gate of bleneheim palace (I didnt feel at all nervous), where we were meeting the coach and horses. I panicked for a moment as they werent there and thought I had told them the wrong place. But then suddenly we saw them. A black carriage with ivory flowers and 2 cream horses. My heart skipped a beat when I realised they had come to collect ME!
The 30 mins drive through past fields and then through the old fashioned town of woodstock was brilliant - it wasnt raining now and it brightened up, but everything looked so green. I tried to savour every moment as I knew I would never ever do this again.
So many people smiled and said good luck! We drove into the palace - past the lake and the huge bridge - i turned around to the bridesmaids car and they were open mouthed! They hadnt realised how spectacular it was. Approaching the gates, i could see some guests waiting for me. The gates opened and all my family and friends were there - the sun was shining and i was amazed. I had planned for them to be in the ceremony room waiting for me. But this was brilliant - so many happy smiling faces.
We all went in. I saw the beauty of the collonades as I went past in my ivory dress. Drinks had been laid out for guests and I had got 2 huge tea cups and filled them with sweets and chocolates (frog sweets and hearts - as we were having a princess and frog theme)
I met the registrar for a few minutes - negotiated the toilet, reapplied lipstick and adjusted curls and then it was time to go in.
We were taken through a secret passage to the back of the ceremony room. It was all candle lit and a string quartet were playing. Guests were all seated and enjoying the gentle scent of rose oil. I had prepared an envelop for each guest. It was an A5 handmade indian paper envelop with a pack of tissues, mints, order of the day, a gold pen and paper saying WISHES .....I let you know what happened with these later. the envelopes were sealed with sealing wax and brushed with gold leaf.
I entered to East moutain South...'So are you to me' It is a stunning song. Stuart looked around and turned back again quickly. I wondered what was wrong and when i got to the front, he was in bits. His eyes were so red, he was so emotional and shaking his head - like he couldnt believe it was happening. I didnt feel the same emotion as I had been through it so many times in my head and cried and cried and so i was prepared. All my friends and were in tears and ahing over Stuart' emotion.
Stuart put the ring on my finger and I was so pleased it fitted. I am not joking but 4 days before I had no ring! he ordered one on the internet but it was too small. My maid of honour is from jersey and that is were we got our hand made engagement ring from last July. She called the jeweller and they got a rush job through and she brought the ring over the day before.
We kissed and hugged and he was still crying. I tried to give him so rescue remedy when we were sitting down but he wasnt having any of my new age ****!!!
The ceremony was over and registrar left, but i had a part 2 in store for the guests. A screen was erected and guests were invited to write wishes for us - these were then tied to the crystal wishing tree. We had a slide show set to snow patrol chasing cars. a friend had written a funny poem about how we met, we had a story and a comedy video which we had made a month before - this included a sketch of us in 50 years time looking back at our wedding pictures. Everyone was in fits. Stuart was meant to sing - David Grays This years love had better last - but he was so emotional he couldnt do it.
We left the room to confetti feathers and went outside for a lovely 40 min ride through woodstock in the coach and horses. It was so nice to get away and just chat and say how amazing everything was. Stuart dried his tears and was much better. We had some photos of the carriage by the lake and in front of the Palace gates which was spectacular - i loved this bit!
We arrived at the reception - all guest were drinking non alcoholic cocktails - i had put heart wine charms on each glass. The canapes were lovely. We didnt have a table plan but everyone was given a piece of paper with a name and the table name on. They were all muddled up and so each guest had to find the person that the paper belonged to. This got people really mingling and meeting people they wouldnt normally talk to. The tables were names after the months of the year and we had a picture of us taken from that month on each table - we had met on June 1st 2007 and so the months were the months that we had known each other.
On each table was a menu rolled up with a heart charm - a princess crown or frog cookie - sonya one of my bridesmaids had made them and also a surprise. An envelop and in the envelop was a personal message for that person. Saying thanks to them and everything that was special about them. Stuart didnt do this for his family and friends as it was too soppy but he did stay up til 2 am writing a funny limerick for each person he knew. These went down a storm.
The food was amazing but I couldnt eat much.
We went round all the tables for most of the meal as I wasnt hungry at all and standing was more comfortable than sitting. Stuart couldnt do his speech as he knew it would make him cry. I was going to do it and
I wish i had - the toast master did it and he was so **** - even though he was meant to be a professional stand up - no one could hear him!
We all went for a walk down to the lake for an hour after food. The evening guests joined us. We had some group photos taken - all very natural.
We returned and the swing band had set up. It was time for our first dance. A friend who is a dancer choregraphed our first dance - to Michael Buble The way you look tonight - there was romance but with a touch of comedy in it - think fred and ginger with a twist. i didnt think i could do it in my dress but i just about managed. Everyone loved it. We cut the cake made of cheese and tasted the chocolat fountain and had pictures taken.
Then we had an hours of sing and salsa dance lessons and then the band played as everyone continued to dance as it got dark. We had the last hour of disco and he played YMCA = which stuart was cross about as he hates that song!
At about 11pm we sang 'come what may' from the moulin rouge - it was hard and full of scarey hormonies, but we got through it - it was meant to be a surprise during the speeches, but stuart was still too emotional.
We left to an arch of sparklers - I had bought about 300 sparkers - extra long. Everyone made an arch from the palace to the car (stuarts open top sports car). They went on for ages and it was so magical as we left. I threw the bouquet to all the girls, but instead of one catching it, they all caught a rose - my final surprise and gift to them.
photos are on valephotos.co.uk bride - marneta groom - stuart 1st June wedding date
Background
I am 39 and last year I put up an advert on the internet - PRINCE WANTED - CINDERELLA IS LOOKING FOR A NON SMOKING VEGETARIAN PRINCE! I had 20 replies and then this lovely reply from Stuart. We emailed for a week and even though he was 10 years younger we agreed to have a date at Blenheim Palace. But, the day before we met, I went to my local cafe for lunch and I got a text from Stuart asking if I was in that same cafe. Apparently he was eating his lunch and got a feeling i was in the room, looked up and recognised me from the tiny photo i had sent him. When we met at the palace, we got on so well and he asked me to marry him 4 days later. We agreed to book Bleneheim palace for our wedding - (even though it was out of our budget as we were paying ourselves) - as it was the place where we had both fallen in love at first sight.
I have no idea where the time went, but at 11, we had a little toast with all the bridesmaids. I gave them each a bag of gifts and it was time to get into my dress.
Took a bit of pulling in! Lyn my maid of honour had had a lesson at the bridal shop the day before. After 20 mins of pulling, she was so sweaty, she needed another shower. The bridesmaids got ready upstairs and as I was putting my dress on downstairs. When we were all ready, we met up and it was so lovely to see them. They looked so beautiful. I had 4 bridesmaids and a maid of honour. The bridesmaids wore cream lace dresses and maid of honour was in chocolate. They all had chocolate satin shoes and a cream wrap.
There was a moment in the kitchen when i freaked out and hated my makeup and hair. I pulled out the fake lashes and almost started crying saying that i looked too made up! My sister calmed me down and pearl my bridesmaid made me down a load of rescue remedy and i calmed down instantly. I just panicked that i wasnt beautiful enough - i wish i had lost the 2 stone that i wanted to lose - but just couldnt get motivated!!!! So i was a rounded size 16!
Andy, my friend who was giving me away arrived at 11.20 in a brown suit with cream trimmings. He stopped as I stepped out and gasped - bless him. Some neighbours came out to take pictures. I had told them what time I was leaving and all the children from the village came to see 'the princess'. I had some confetti for them to play with and gave them all favours and bubbles that i saved for them. It was lovely to be sent off with the children giggling.
We drove about 20 minutes to the side gate of bleneheim palace (I didnt feel at all nervous), where we were meeting the coach and horses. I panicked for a moment as they werent there and thought I had told them the wrong place. But then suddenly we saw them. A black carriage with ivory flowers and 2 cream horses. My heart skipped a beat when I realised they had come to collect ME!
The 30 mins drive through past fields and then through the old fashioned town of woodstock was brilliant - it wasnt raining now and it brightened up, but everything looked so green. I tried to savour every moment as I knew I would never ever do this again.
So many people smiled and said good luck! We drove into the palace - past the lake and the huge bridge - i turned around to the bridesmaids car and they were open mouthed! They hadnt realised how spectacular it was. Approaching the gates, i could see some guests waiting for me. The gates opened and all my family and friends were there - the sun was shining and i was amazed. I had planned for them to be in the ceremony room waiting for me. But this was brilliant - so many happy smiling faces.
We all went in. I saw the beauty of the collonades as I went past in my ivory dress. Drinks had been laid out for guests and I had got 2 huge tea cups and filled them with sweets and chocolates (frog sweets and hearts - as we were having a princess and frog theme)
I met the registrar for a few minutes - negotiated the toilet, reapplied lipstick and adjusted curls and then it was time to go in.
We were taken through a secret passage to the back of the ceremony room. It was all candle lit and a string quartet were playing. Guests were all seated and enjoying the gentle scent of rose oil. I had prepared an envelop for each guest. It was an A5 handmade indian paper envelop with a pack of tissues, mints, order of the day, a gold pen and paper saying WISHES .....I let you know what happened with these later. the envelopes were sealed with sealing wax and brushed with gold leaf.
I entered to East moutain South...'So are you to me' It is a stunning song. Stuart looked around and turned back again quickly. I wondered what was wrong and when i got to the front, he was in bits. His eyes were so red, he was so emotional and shaking his head - like he couldnt believe it was happening. I didnt feel the same emotion as I had been through it so many times in my head and cried and cried and so i was prepared. All my friends and were in tears and ahing over Stuart' emotion.
Stuart put the ring on my finger and I was so pleased it fitted. I am not joking but 4 days before I had no ring! he ordered one on the internet but it was too small. My maid of honour is from jersey and that is were we got our hand made engagement ring from last July. She called the jeweller and they got a rush job through and she brought the ring over the day before.
We kissed and hugged and he was still crying. I tried to give him so rescue remedy when we were sitting down but he wasnt having any of my new age ****!!!
The ceremony was over and registrar left, but i had a part 2 in store for the guests. A screen was erected and guests were invited to write wishes for us - these were then tied to the crystal wishing tree. We had a slide show set to snow patrol chasing cars. a friend had written a funny poem about how we met, we had a story and a comedy video which we had made a month before - this included a sketch of us in 50 years time looking back at our wedding pictures. Everyone was in fits. Stuart was meant to sing - David Grays This years love had better last - but he was so emotional he couldnt do it.
We left the room to confetti feathers and went outside for a lovely 40 min ride through woodstock in the coach and horses. It was so nice to get away and just chat and say how amazing everything was. Stuart dried his tears and was much better. We had some photos of the carriage by the lake and in front of the Palace gates which was spectacular - i loved this bit!
We arrived at the reception - all guest were drinking non alcoholic cocktails - i had put heart wine charms on each glass. The canapes were lovely. We didnt have a table plan but everyone was given a piece of paper with a name and the table name on. They were all muddled up and so each guest had to find the person that the paper belonged to. This got people really mingling and meeting people they wouldnt normally talk to. The tables were names after the months of the year and we had a picture of us taken from that month on each table - we had met on June 1st 2007 and so the months were the months that we had known each other.
On each table was a menu rolled up with a heart charm - a princess crown or frog cookie - sonya one of my bridesmaids had made them and also a surprise. An envelop and in the envelop was a personal message for that person. Saying thanks to them and everything that was special about them. Stuart didnt do this for his family and friends as it was too soppy but he did stay up til 2 am writing a funny limerick for each person he knew. These went down a storm.
The food was amazing but I couldnt eat much.
We went round all the tables for most of the meal as I wasnt hungry at all and standing was more comfortable than sitting. Stuart couldnt do his speech as he knew it would make him cry. I was going to do it and
I wish i had - the toast master did it and he was so **** - even though he was meant to be a professional stand up - no one could hear him!
We all went for a walk down to the lake for an hour after food. The evening guests joined us. We had some group photos taken - all very natural.
We returned and the swing band had set up. It was time for our first dance. A friend who is a dancer choregraphed our first dance - to Michael Buble The way you look tonight - there was romance but with a touch of comedy in it - think fred and ginger with a twist. i didnt think i could do it in my dress but i just about managed. Everyone loved it. We cut the cake made of cheese and tasted the chocolat fountain and had pictures taken.
Then we had an hours of sing and salsa dance lessons and then the band played as everyone continued to dance as it got dark. We had the last hour of disco and he played YMCA = which stuart was cross about as he hates that song!
At about 11pm we sang 'come what may' from the moulin rouge - it was hard and full of scarey hormonies, but we got through it - it was meant to be a surprise during the speeches, but stuart was still too emotional.
We left to an arch of sparklers - I had bought about 300 sparkers - extra long. Everyone made an arch from the palace to the car (stuarts open top sports car). They went on for ages and it was so magical as we left. I threw the bouquet to all the girls, but instead of one catching it, they all caught a rose - my final surprise and gift to them.