***CHARLOTTELUCY's WEDDING REPORT 18 August 2012 - VERY LATE****

I debated for a while whether to write a wedding report but decided in the end that it would be a nice way to remember the day in future years and give us something to look back on so you all might as well enjoy it to!

Background:

Hubby and I met over 9 years ago when out with groups of friends – 2 of his friends were going out with my friends and had decided to have a night out. As soon as I walked into the bar and laid eyes on him I was head over heels, there was just a feeling – I knew we would be together. I was with someone at the time but it wasn’t working out. 2 weeks later I was single and we were together. We moved in together after 6 years, this sound like a long time but I was only 17 when we met and we both knew we wanted this to be forever so decided to buy instead of renting, it took us a good 3 years to get a deposit together but eventually made it and moved into our flat. A year later (2010) he proposed on my birthday in a cottage he’d hired in Devon, was lovely and will always make my birthday that bit more special.

We booked our wedding within 2 weeks of getting engaged, we were very excited! The date was set for 2 years later – 28^th July 2012 and we booked lots in the first year – church, venue,TOG, cake, decorations and car. However a year after we booked the Olympics announced their dates, one of which was the cycle race going through Surrey, right past our church and the reception venue,  the roads were going to be closed - disaster! After a few tears and sleepless nights we decided to change the date and move it back by 3 weeks and luckily every one of our suppliers we had booked was free on the new date as well, I still wonder now how we were so lucky!

The Week Before:

I was at work until the Tuesday and really couldn’t concentrate on working at all I was just focussing on that by the weekend I would be getting married, it felt so weird! We were given some money and cards and some presents from colleagues on the last day of work and we all went out for a lovely pub lunch in the sun and drank Pimms, was so nice and relaxing but still couldn’t believe on the Tuesday night when I left work at 5.30 that this was it and I had 2 and a half weeks off! Work doesn’t usually let me take over a week off at work so was very excited that I had so much time for a change.

I was constantly checking the weather all week, they were predicting rain! I was gutted and made a mental note to pop out and buy some big while umbrellas in the week.

The 3 days before the wedding were spent running around picking up suits, dropping stuff to the venue and having nails/eyelashes etc done, I was completely wrong thinking Id have time to sit and relax but it was enjoyable. I had a slight stressful moment when we found out the road going past our venue was closed at one end on our wedding day but decided not to get angry about it and printed some directions for guests to get there from the church and we stuck them inside our order of services – we weren’t going to let road closures ruin our day for a second time!! I’m sure we were jinxed!

By the Thursday the weather forecast had completely changed and they were predicting 30 degrees for our wedding day, absolutely boiling but would rather have this than rain.

The church rehearsal was the night before the wedding which I was really nervous about. Both our immediate families came with us for it as most of them had roles in our wedding party and was lovely for them all to see each other before the big day. They get on very very well so we had lots of laughs and jokes as we were rehearsing.  Then it was time to say goodbye to OH, whenever Id imagined this moment in my head before I would completely well up so was dreading it but when it came to it I was just so happy we were getting married the next day. We snuck off to the church car park and had a quick kiss and cuddle before going our separate ways. OH, best man and my brother who was an usher were going back to our flat and I was staying at my  mum and dads with my sister but first we needed to drop our cars to the hotel we were staying at on the wedding night so they were there for us the day after the wedding. This was where I panicked!! The hotel was right next to our reception venue (where the road closures were!) they were all following me but got lost and then separated so after an hour (it should have been 10 mins) I finally managed to get through to them on the phone, meet them and then get to the hotel. By the time we got home I had de-stressed, we had a takeaway and I started yawning so slipped off to bed at 11, not expecting to sleep at all as I am the world’s worst sleeper and if I’m nervous or upset I NEVER sleep! Next thing I knew it was 7am and my wedding day!

Oooh more more!

THE BIG DAY!

I woke up with a huge grin on my face, I was getting married today and the sun was shining! The house was quiet so I played on my phone for a bit and answered some texts I’d received during the night. Then snuck downstairs to have a cuppa before everyone woke up, mum had decorated the front room with wedding banners and balloons which was lovely so just sat and watched tv, after a little while mum, dad and sister came down and we had some breakfast. I had a quick bath and changed into fresh PJs, before I knew it the make up artist had arrived, my hairdresser arrived (I’ve known her since I was about 14!) and my brothers both came over with my other bridesmaid (OHs sister) , then the work begun!

Type quicker Mrs.  Reading this is making my Friday afternoon more pleasurable!

Dad popped out to the gym as I think he found the amount of women quite overwhelming  and came back later. Mum did loads of food for people to pick at while they were getting ready. It was such a lovely morning and I really enjoyed having everyone there getting ready together. Having my hairdresser there just made everything so much more chilled out and we were laughing and joking.

Every time someone came they commented how calm I was, I wasn’t nervous at all, I still don’t understand why but was just completely chilled! My brothers who had stayed at mine the night before said OH was nervous and kept washing up which hilarious, he hates washing up!  I text OH in the morning and told him where I’d hidden his presents, he was chuffed. I’d got him a signed letter from Harry Redknapp, some personalised socks and an engraved silver bottle opener. We sent a few quick messages and left it at ‘see you at the alter x.’

Then the flowers arrived and were beautiful, they smelt amazing! We struggled to find somewhere to keep them cool as it was just SO hot! My phone wouldn’t stop beeping so in the end I switched it off and gave it to my brothers to take back in the car to our flat and they went off to have brunch and get dressed with OH.

The morning seemed to go by in such a rush, my niece who is 3 and was also a flower girl arrived with my brothers fiancé, my goddaughter who is 8 arrived andwas very shy and nervous (so unlike her). The two of them played in the garden, had some lunch and their hair done and nerves were soon forgotten.I then remember looking at the clock and the cars were due to arrive in half an hour and no-one was dressed! Cue a very mad half an hour of perfume and deodorant being sprayed, make up and hair being touched up and people helping each other into dresses oh and lots of laughter. My dad then rushed to get dressed and get his things together, after he had got back from the gym he had spent the rest of the morning adapting his speech, he said he wasn’t nervous about doing it but I think he was as he spent so much time tweaking it right up until we left! Then it was time for some quick photos in the sunshine in the back garden before the cars pulled up outside.

 The weekend before the wedding OH and I had decided to book another vintage car for the bridesmaids to travel in and we hadn’t told anyone so this was a complete surprise as they thought they were travelling in a taxi. The cars pulled up and were beautiful, the bridesmaids were chuffed. We grabbed the flowers and last minute bits and went outside to leave. My mum and dad have lived in their house for 28 years - so before I was born and not many people have moved out during this time.  When I opened the front doors there were lots of neighbours waiting for me and a few people from work at popped along to say hello! It was very embarrassing but I was very touched at the same time. We posed for a few photos and said hellos and good lucks and then it was time to leave.

Aww the little ones are so cute! And you look gorgeous, so happy!

I wanted my mum AND my dad to travel with me in the cars as our family have a very close relationship and I wanted my mum to feel special too. It was so warm so I was guzzling down water the whole way there, then stopped when I realised I would probably need the loo! We were beeping the old horns in the car at each other as we were driving along and chatting and laughing, it was great. We arrived at the church 10mins early so I asked our driver to wait at the top of the road as I could still see the few last minute guests rushing into the church!

As I got out the car my 3 year old niece was jumping up and down screaming my name, she was so excited. I love her! This is me screaming back at her!(one of my fav photos).

My brothers came out to give me a kiss and wish me luck then it was time to walk down the aisle. I just couldn’t stop smiling I was so happy. As my dad and I turned to walk in the church I felt my knees shaking and said ‘Dad, my knees are shaking, I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to walk’, his response was ‘shut up!’ haha turns out I must have been nervous and so was he! The music started and I walked in grinning like a Cheshire cat, it was so lovely to see all our families and friends together, it was just an amazing feeling. Then I saw OH at the alter and he looked so handsome, his eyes were full of tears and I kissed him and whispered at him not to cry otherwise he will start me off!

The church was hot but I think OH was so was nervous his hands were so sweaty!! We had a little joke about this during the hymns. My oldest brother did a reading, OHs sister did a reading, we sang some more, said our vows and before I knew it we were married. Off we went to sign the register and our vicar invited our immediate families up with us to congratulate us.  We all left the church together, I didn’t think my smile could get any bigger but it did then walking back down the aisle with my husband!

The church didn’t allow confetti so we had bubbles instead which the kids loved. My niece loves bubbles anyway and I could see her nicking them from the other children and the adults. We had a few photos and then it was time to head off to the reception.

Lovely photos!! Your day looked perfect! You looked stunning