Louise and Neil’s Real Life Wedding

 

Louise and Neil

24/03/2006 – Trou aux Biche, Mauritius
The Moorside Grange in Stockport

How and when did you meet?

We met seven years ago, when I was saving to go traveling and was working in a pub. He was a punter.

How old are you both?

I am 32 and he is 46.

Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?

After he asked my dad (very nerve-racking for him). He proposed after a lovely day in Greenwich. I knew he was going to when he came back from the bar with champagne and then asked me to be his wife.

Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?

I had a pink theme and went pole dancing (harder than it seems) and then on a cruise on the Thames. It was great fun. Neil went to Portugal and played golf with a few friends.

 

How did your groom help with the wedding planning?

He paid for a lot of it and agreed to my suggestions. The idea of the string quartet was his as was the choice of our wedding song.

Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?

Yes! I found my hairdresser and florist from chatting on the chat page as well as loads of advice.

Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?

Yes! We based our theme for the reception on the rose petals and so had all the stationery. Lots of my hen bits, confetti, books – loads of things I bought. I visited the shop and bought online.

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it

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The Dressing Room in Barnet. A Tracy Lee dress, which was nothing like I planned. Sequin top and a long train. I was actually very comfortable and one of the best dresses I have ever worn. Got to wear it three times!

Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?

Yes, but only for the reception. (We actually got married abroad). My two step daughters were the bridesmaids aged 10 and 11 and we got their dresses from BHS. Everybody commented how lovely they looked.

Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?

We chose not to have any.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

Civil in Mauritius.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

Mauritius.

Where did you hold your reception?

The Moorside Grange in Stockport.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

Yes, a lovely car – to drive us around the block. I just wanted a car.

How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?

Two to the actual wedding (witnesses) and 36 to the reception

Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?

Yes! Red roses! Very romantic. I loved our theme and it all worked so well.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

Red rose flowers. Tables named after different red roses. Red bows, red favours, scattered rose petals.

Did you give your guests favours?

Yes! Men received a mini bottle of port and the ladies received a mini bottle of Baileys. Scattered petal boxes with red heart chocolates in them for all and matches for all. Everybody loved them and all took them home. Some even drank the minis (even though there was loads of free drink).

Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?

Red roses for me and the bridesmaids. Red roses on the cake and the table decorations were wrought iron candle holders with red roses wrapped around them. The florist was wonderful and very reasonable, called Buzzie Lizzies in Stockport.

What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?

The hotel handled the catering and we had a salmon starter, chicken main and a lovely strawberry cheesecake. Loved by all. Cheese and biscuits and coffee and chocs.

What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?

M&S three tiers of fruit cake. The florist decorated it with red roses and ivy and we had teddies on top. Lots of people commented how simple, but effective, it was.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We had a string quartet – who were a little disappointing as they did not stay as long as we had wanted. We played our own background music in the evening.

Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?

No, we opted for vouchers.

Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?

As we got married in Mauritius at the Trou aux Biche, we stayed there for another six nights for our honeymoon. It was wonderful and the service was amazing.

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

The actual wedding – trying to say my vows and not crying. The reception. Looking out at all our friends who were there and realising this was it – all we had spent 18 months planning. It was perfect.

Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?

On the day it poured with rain so we could not get married on the beach. The hotel sorted everything and it was even more special than if it was on the beach and we then wore our outfits again to have the rest of our pictures another day. We were so much more relaxed, so they are lovely.

Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?

I would have a senior bridesmaid to help. Enjoy every moment. We got married abroad with only four people and it was wonderful as we spent the day together and enjoying the wedding. Then we had the reception (just like a normal wedding but just no wedding). so got to have 2 wedding days as such and could relax and enjoy our friends. I would not have done it any other way.