Angela and Jon’s Real Life Wedding
Angela and Jon
05/05/2007 – Mentmore Golf and Country Club, Mentmore, Leighton Buzzard.
How and when did you meet?
We met through a text dating company. I text by mistake and thought it was a friend’s line. I received two texts back – the second was from Jon, we got talking and arranged to meet up 9 days later – the rest is history! When we met we were over 100 miles apart – talk about fate! We met in October, he took me to Venice for Valentine’s the following February and we were living together by March! I left a job I’d been in for 10 years and took a gamble but it worked out!
How old are you both?
30 and 36.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
He proposed to me, he just sent me a text saying marry me, we went and purchased the rings together and then he got down on one knee with a bottle of champagne and my gorgeous ring and then we had an engagement party with all friends and family at our new house.
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
Yes, I had a hen night with 12 girls attending. Everyone met at my house and I had a surprise stripper (thanks to my sister for organising it), then a stretch Porche limo took us to Windsor where we had an Italian meal and then spent the night in a nightclub after. Jon had a weekend away and went paintballing and then went to a comedy club and stayed in a hotel with 11 friends.
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
Yes, he chose our first dance, the suits and wanted to be very involved when choosing the cake (probably so he could eat it all)!
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
Yes – so much! I’m now a platinum member! Tips for choirs, wedding gift lists, sharing ideas about dresses. I also purchased reception table bits and camera cards!
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
We visited the Reading store, purchased cameras online but also bought favour boxes, floating candles, bubbles, stationery and table plan decor.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
Pronuptia – Mori Lee’s Tiffany – The strapless bodice on this wedding dress is decorated with crystals and beads and features a shirred empire band. The A-Line skirt with draped front overskirt edged with matching beads. A corset back closure meets the cascading crystals onto the chapel length train. Matching shawl included.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
Yes, two bridesmaids – Jon’s daughter and my sister – I chose Alfred Angelo tea length dresses in dusky pink with black bows which I had scattered with crystal beading.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
His brother, Simon – all groomsmen (7 in total) wore suits hired from Pronuptia. Edward style jackets, pink waistcoats and grey stripe trousers with matching cravat and hankies.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
Religious.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire – where I’m originally from. I wanted to leave from my mum and dad’s house.
Where did you hold your reception?
Mentmore Golf and Country Club, Mentmore, Leighton Buzzard.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
A silver beauford convertible car – it was gorgeous!
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
70 to the day which went up to 120 in the evening.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Yes, pink and butterflies!
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
My sister made our table numbers and camera cards (happydudu.com). We had pink organza bows on our chair covers, pink table runners and butterfly sprinkles around our table centres. The cake had butterflies on it.
Did you give your guests favours?
Yes, boxes filled with pink chocolate hearts.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
Florist was Flowers For Every Occasion in Milton Keynes. My bouquet was a teardrop design with pink roses and freesia, the girls had pink hand tied bouquets with smaller version flowers of my bouquet. Mums’ had orchid corsages and men had pink rose buttonholes. Table centres were pink beads with pink rose floating candles and rose petals floating in a fishbowl on a mirrored glass with pink tealights with butterflies on (from Confetti).
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
Melon starter with champagne sorbet then roast chicken meal with vegetables followed by chocolate brandy torte – the venue did all the catering.
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
Let them eat cake – Leighton Buzzard. Pink butteflies on wires with pink feathers were on the top of the cake, three tier on an S shaped stand, with ivory then pink, then ivory icing on each tier, with a miniature version of us in our clothes sitting on the bottom tier – it was fantastic!
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
Yes, we had the Linsdale Singers singing hits from Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals when we signed the register, then rat pack music during our wedding breakfast, followed by a disco in the evening – he gave out glow up necklaces and glow yo-yos to the children!
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
Yes, Debenhams and John Lewis – both were very good!
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
The Pendley Manor Hotel in Tring – we had champagne, chocolates and free slippers in our room! Our honeymoon was with First Choice and we went to a 5* AI hotel in Mombasa, Africa for a few nights, then went on a safari where we saw lions, zebra, giraffes, etc, and then back to the hotel for a few nights of rest before returning home.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
Seeing my groom when the doors opened at the church and went I met him at the front, he said “Wowsers you look lush” – was hard not to start giggling – it was very cute! Also, we loved having our photos taken by the Mentmore Towers which is a stately home by the river, it was gorgeous – photos look like something out of a magazine!
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
Yes, all seven suits were supplied in incorrect sizes! All sorted though by 1pm ON THE DAY OF THE WEDDING! These things are sent to try us!
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
I would advise brides to enjoy planning but also to have their gifts delivered just after they return from honeymoon which we did – it gave us something to look forward to at the end of our special holiday!
