Dionne and Dave’s Real Life Wedding
Dionne and Dave
Q: How did you meet?
A: Dave was a friend of friends, who was often at the same social gatherings as I was. After a Valentine’s party at my house, I woke up to find that he had fallen asleep and had been carried upstairs in the dark and left to sleep it off at the foot of my bed! Having been left in such close quarters we decided it was Kismet and arranged a date!
Q: Describe the marriage proposal.
A: Dave had a prearranged holiday in Valladolid Spain, staying with his brother. We missed one another like mad when he was away, and phoned and wrote to one another. Dave drove home after 3 weeks, a journey through the night, which took 14 hours. He woke me up with a smile, a proposal and a beautiful ring that he had bought whilst in Spain.
Q: How long did you spend preparing for the day and how was it?
A: We spent 18 months planning the day, and I launched into it almost single-handedly! I made my own invitations, favours, menu cards, place settings, etc. with a fairy theme, which involved many late nights. I had a design of dress in mind, which I commissioned a local designer to make for me. There were some last minute hitches including my sleeves not fitting right up to the last minute, my cake having “grimacing” fairies, and our photographers canceling at the last minute. However, it all went fantastically on the day! I had my sleeves attached with small bows, which were very fitting to the era of the dress, and a replacement photographer who worked wonders!
Q: What type of wedding ceremony did you have and where?
A: A civil ceremony held in the beautiful setting of Cooling Castle Barn. We carefully chose our music to reflect our feelings, but that would also suit the setting. My 12-year-old son, and Dave’s brother shared the best man duties, and a former colleague of mine was the deputy registrar at the service, which added a special touch to the occasion.
Q: Where did you have your reception and what was it like?
A: The reception was also held at Cooling Castle Barn, and was decorated in the style of a woodland wonderland; with glitter encrusted ivy and berry swags, and petals on the tables.
Q: Is there anything you’d change, with hindsight?
A: The day was so perfect that we really could not have done anything any better. My only reflection is that 18 months seemed a very long time to prepare, but in reality so much was left to the last minute, and should have been prepared a lot sooner!!
Q: What advice would you give to couples currently planning their wedding?
A: Plan now! Don’t leave anything to the last minute! If you really feel that it is too far away to make any firm plans, then keep a scrapbook of ideas, cuttings from magazines, color swatches etc, so that you have a clear idea of what you are aiming for and what your options are. Make your own favours, invitations to add a personal touch to your day, and add to the magic of the occasion.
