Claire and Pete’s Real Life Wedding
Claire and Pete
10/03/2006 – Scaitcliffe Hall in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
How and when did you meet?
We met at a friend’s party in 1995. We were friends for a while before getting together in 1996 at the tender age of 16!
How old are you both?
I’m 26 and Pete’s 25.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
On my 25th Birthday, Pete gave me all my cards and presents along with breakfast in bed. Just as I thought I’d opened everything he said ‘Oh you’ve missed one.’ I opened this last card to find it was from my baby Son Eli. Inside it said P.s. Mummy, will you marry Daddy? Of course I said yes!
Did you have hen and stag celebrations?
Pete went to Nottingham for go-karting, a curry and lap dancers! (typical blokes!)
I had 2, a Kylie themed night in Manchester with my four closest girlfriends and a bigger do two weeks before the wedding which consisted of a pole dancing lesson during the day (hilarious!) then a meal and dancing in Leeds. My friends organised everything with a black, white and pink theme; it was fabulous.
Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?
Pete gave his opinion on lots of things and we chose the venue and food together, he did lots of fetching and carrying and helped design the ‘save the date’ magnets and invitations. He did quite a lot really.
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
No.
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
No.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.
I wore ‘Celeste’ by Maggie Sottero, with a very long plain veil, crystal tiara and my shoes were ‘Mansfield’ by Benjamin Adams. My hair was a sort of ‘50s film star look.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had just one Bridesmaid, my fifteen year old Sister Bethany. She wore a Raylia dress in pink orchid colour, silver ballet shoes and a beautiful vintage necklace. She had her hair in a ‘50s ‘up do’ with pink pearl hair pins.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
In the groom’s party Pete had one best man, Rick, five ushers, our brothers, two dads and our son Eli. They wore brown suits (in shades and styles to suit them) with matching waistcoats in cream and gold and gold silk wrap ties.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
We chose a civil ceremony.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
Scaitcliffe Hall in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
Where did you hold your reception?
Everything was at the same venue but in different rooms.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
We decided not to as it seemed a pointless expense as no one would see them (due to timings on the day) so we hired two Mercedes through my work for the grand total of £30!.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
We had just under 70 guests to the day and about another 50 invited to the evening do.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Not really, we tried to keep it looking fresh and spring like, but we weren’t too ‘matchy-matchy’
Did you give your guests favours?
The place names and favours were 2 in 1 – a little card made from plantable seed paper. Inside we wrote ‘Thank you for sharing our special day’ then wrote each guest’s name on the envelope. We also served biscuits in the shape of shoes and ties along with the after ceremony drinks. My mum, my Aunt and I made these two days before the wedding!
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
Pete’s step mum did our flowers. I carried a simple hand-tied bouquet of pink and white roses, freesias and lisianthus tied with white organza ribbon and dotted with crystals. Beth carried a pomander of spring flowers on a sting of pearls. The men wore button holes of white freesias and we had spring flowers arranged on glass cake stands for the table centre pieces.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
The venue did the catering; we started with tomato and pesto soup, then the main was a traditional roast with a choice of turkey, beef or nut roast. The dessert was profiteroles – yum.
What did you choose for your wedding cake?
We actually won the services of our cake lady through a charity auction at work! We chose a central chocolate mud cake with a white chocolate topping, which was finished with two pink sparkly hearts on top that said ‘Claire & Pete’. Then around the edge of this we had eighty individual square cakes iced with various things relevant to us as a couple and also the wedding – I loved it!
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
We had a string quartet for the ceremony and drinks reception and a disco in the evening.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
Before and after the ceremony a string quartet played – they actually transcribed a song especially for our exit – Everlong by the FooFighters. Our friend James performed two songs during the signing of the register and we had two magicians entertaining the guests at the evening do.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
We asked for Thomas Cook vouchers towards our honeymoon.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
The wedding night was spent at the venue; the next morning we jetted off for four nights in New York. There are several, but the highlights were saying our vows (which we wrote ourselves.) James singing, the balloon release, the speeches… I’ll shut up now!
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
There were a few slight hitches on the day, but nothing that anyone noticed.
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
Don’t do it! Only kidding, it was the best day of my life, I just wish I could do it all again in slow motion as it was just a whirl.
