Fiona and Jon Real Cranleigh Golf and Country Club Wedding Story

How and when did you meet?

We met in 2000, my friend worked with Jon and I met him at one of their work do’s. The rest is history!

How old are you both?

Jon is 34 and I am 28

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

He proposed on the 7th May 2007 in Antigua – he’d booked a special private dinner on the beach, and popped the question before the food arrived – as he was worried he wouldn’t be able to eat and I’d cotton on! It was a complete surprise and a wonderful moment.

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

I went to Bath for a murder mystery dinner with 13 of my girlfriends, and Jon really milked his and went off on a golfing holiday in Spain for 3 days!!

How did your groom help with the wedding planning?

He helped make final decisions, and came up with the idea for the table names, booked the honeymoon, and was generally there for hand holding and moral support!!

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

I got loads of ideas from the girls on the forums – they were great.

Do you have a confetti web page?

No

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

I bought the Hersheys kisses on line.

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it

My dress was called ‘Flower’ and was by Pronuptia. I bought it from their store in Woking, Surrey.

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

I had 3 grown up Bridesmaids, my sister Sarah, my sister Jane, and my friend Gemma. They wore yellow – but the dresses were different and all different shades. Gemma wore a bright yellow dress from Monsoon, Sarah wore a pale yellow dress from Coast, and Jane a cream dress with a bright yellow sash, from Debenhams.

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

Jon chose his brother and his best mate as his Best Men – we didn’t have ushers. Due to the laid back feel of the day, the best men and the groom all wore suits with patterned shirts underneath – no ties.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a civil ceremony

Where did you hold your ceremony?

At Cranleigh Golf and Country Club, in Cranleigh, near Guildford. They have a big barn next to the clubhouse, and this is where we held the ceremony and reception

Where did you hold your reception?

As above.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

I hired coaches to collect guests from the hotel they were staying at and deliver them to the venue. The coach then collected them at midnight to return them to the hotel. My dad drove me and my bridesmaids in his lovely silver Jaguar!

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

We had 82 adults and 7 kids to the day, and about another 50 people to the evening.

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

My colours were yellow and cream.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

I had a fab lady who runs a company called Bunny Delicious, do all our stationery. She did great table names in yellow and cream, the flowers were yellow and cream, I made the menu’s which were yellow, and the napkins were cream.

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

We used a local florist, she had done both my sisters weddings previously so we knew they were good. We had yellow tulips, cream & yellow fuscias, white stocks, ranunculus, and I had cream roses in my bouquet.

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

We had salmon fishcakes to start, a hog roast for main with a choice of salads, and lemon and lime cake for pud. The venue handled all of the catering, and it was absolutely delicious!

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

Jon’s auntie Judith makes beautiful sugar flowers, so as her gift to us, she bought a 3 tiered cake, and made all the sugar flowers to match my bouquet – it was lovely.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We had a band, and a disco. I danced all night!!

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

We decided against having a guest list, as we have lived together for some time and already furnished our house with the essentials, but mentioned that if people wanted to get us a gift, John Lewis vouchers would be gratefully received.

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

We spent the first night at the hotel where the majority of our guests were staying, and was great to get up and have breakfast with them the next morning and see all the hang overs!! Our honeymoon was 2 weeks in the Seychelles, 1 week on 1 island, and another week on another island. It was paradise!!

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

The ceremony – it was so intense an experience, I shall never forget it.

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

I had a dress wobble the week before, and had to take a morning off work after a sleepless night, so I could go and get my dress from the shop and get my mum to change something on it for me – as I just knew it wasn’t quite right as it was. Mum changed it and thank god she did as I was so pleased with it on the day.

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

I would do nothing differently – it was perfect. As for advice – do try and grab your husband at some point in the day, and stand back and drink in the scene around you – it creates a lasting snapshot in your mind of the happiest day of your lives.