Real Weddings

Gemma & Robin’s Real Life Bledlow Church Wedding

When was your wedding?

1st September 2007

How and when did you meet?

We met at our local go kart track. I was working as a part time receptionist and Rob was working as a track marshall. He sneakily got hold of my mobile number (via work) and we started texting each other.

 

How old are you both?

Im 23 and Rob is 22

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

Rob proposed when we went out for a walk in the hills around Wendover woods (close to where we live). It was freezing but very romantic!

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

We both had hen and stag do’s. I went on a London party boat cruise with my hens which was fab (highly recommend it!) and Rob went into London with his stags for a meal and to the comedy club.

How did your groom help with the wedding planning?

He was great, helped as much as he could making things with me like the stationary and when it came to putting the marquee up he was there helping to organise everything. Rob was very involved.

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

The forums were a great help, and we bought some bits as well as gifts.

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

Yes gifts

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it

I wore a Mori Lee dress called Blossom. It wasn’t a popular style as it was off the shoulder with small cap sleeves. It had lovely sparkly detailing on the bodice and train. I also had a veil which was waist length and a tiara made by Debbie at East Beach Designs. Was gorgeous. Also as we had a marquee I opted for some Faith wedge sandles! It worked a treat and i didn’t sink in the grass!

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

I had one adult bridesmaid, my best friend Nicola who wore a Debenhams evening dress in gold and my flower girl was my niece Lucy who also wore a Debenhams dress in ivory.

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

Rob had his brother Steven has his best man and our friend Stephen as his usher.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a religious ceremony.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

At Bledlow Church

Where did you hold your reception?

In my parents garden in a marquee

Did you have any special wedding transport?

We did, we hired a burgundy convertible Beauford which was stunning!

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

We had around 80 to the day and 40-50 extra to the evening.

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

Our colours were gold, ivory and copper. We didn’t really have a theme a such, all very traditional, classic touches.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

We had an ivory rose centre piece with small gold candle sticks with round candles on, as well as gold favour boxes and ivory name cards with small paper roses. Also had napkins in the shape of fans which were gold and ivory.

Did you give your guests favours?

Yes we gave small gold boxes with ivory roses on top with a bath cube fizzer inside. Something a little different from sugared almonds.

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

I had a mix of flowers, real and artificial as Rob suffers from hayfever so we used Sarah’s Flowers for buttonholes and the bouquets but real flowers in the church and on the guest tables at the reception. It was mainly ivory roses and cala lillies which worked very well.

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

We hired a caterer and had pate with french bread to start, followed by traditional turkey roast dinner with cranberry sauce and apple pie with cream to finish.

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

My mum made our cake, it was traditional fruit 3 tiered cake. My sister iced it and I decorated it.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We had a DJ in the evening who is also a family friend and did a great job for us.

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

Yes with John Lewis.

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

Our first night was spent at our local hotel, the rose and crown and then we went to Devon for our honeymoon and stayed in a converted boat house on the river dart. Was really beautiful place to stay, and we are hoping to go back some day. We booked the boat house through helpful holidays.

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

There were so many! walking up the aisle i think, a mixture of emotions, being scared, excited, worried, etc. Trying to smile and hold back tears at the same time!

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

There were a few, on the day we noticed our usher had the same waistcoat as Rob which was a bit of a pain. Also the caterer cut the cake before Rob and I had a chance to which was also a bit of a shame, but something will always go wrong, nothing was too much of a nightmare or ruined our day!

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

I would take more of a step back and stop trying to please all our family and friends, your wedding is about you and your hubby to be not about who sits next to who at the reception. You cant please all of the people all of the time.

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