Jacky and Jonathan’s Real Life Wedding

Jacky and Jonathan

02/10/2004 – The Durbar Hall, Hastings
The High Beech Hotel, Hastings.

How and when did you meet?

We met while working together in the same pub in Kingston upon Thames. I liked him from the first time I saw him but we were both seeing other people. It took us four months to get our acts together.

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

He took me away to Northern Italy for a weekend but didn’t tell me where we were going so thought the destination was the main surprise. We were on Lago Maggiore when he went down on one knee, where I obviously said yes! I’d already chosen a ring for when it did eventually happen and am glad that he took note and that the heavy hinting worked!

Did you have hen and stag celebrations?

I went to Milton Keynes with 11 other girls. We went skiing and ice skating in the day and then to a tapas bar for dinner, and a club in the evening. Jonathan went to Bournemouth with his mates go-karting and then the usual stag antics!

Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?

He turned up! We were in the process of buying a house at the same time so he dealt with that and I dealt with the wedding – he chose his suit and helped choose the venue.

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

It became my bible! I used it for lots of hints and tips and the planners were really useful.

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 table confetti which I sent my friend to the London shop for (thanks Becky!). I also wanted a t-shirt that said Mrs Sidders but left it too late to order it.

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.

It was a two piece from a boutique in Hastings. I didn’t want a slim fitting dress but as soon as I put it on I knew it was the right one. It had a lot of detail in it which I loved as it is so different.

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

I had my two sisters as bridesmaids and they both wore dreses in a dusky lavender colour.

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

His best man was his brother Andrew and he had one usher, Rams who is an old school friend. They all wore navy suits with lilac waistcoats.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a civil ceremony.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

At a place called The Durbar Hall in Hastings. It is part of an Indian Palace that is now incorporated into the Hastings Museum.

Where did you hold your reception?

At The High Beech Hotel in Hastings. They were brilliant.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

I didn’t want to waste money on a car as we were on a tight budget but my dad organised one for me which made me cry as soon as I saw it. I’m so glad he didn’t have to drive.

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

We invited 80 to the day and about 40 extra came in the evening.

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

No particular theme, but our colours were lilacs and purples.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

The flowers were shades of purple and the table confetti was purple too. The hotel put purple and lilac balloons on the tables.

Did you give your guests favours?

No.

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

My florist was based in Hastings. I had six calla lillies and grasses bound with a leaf – a simple bouquet. The bridesmaids had hand tied posies with lilac and white flowers. The hotel organised the table decorations.

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

The hotel did the catering (which was delicious). We had leek and potato soup, followed by roast lamb and then a white chocolate torte.

What did you choose for your wedding cake?

Our cake was out of this world. We had two tiers of lemon cake and a tier of chocolate cake. The bottom tier was individual cakes all decorated with lillies.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We had a disco in the evening done by a family friend. Iwas brilliant – the dance floor was never empty! We also had a bubble maching which the children loved.

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

As we had lived together already and recently bought our first house we asked for B&Q and Argos vouchers so we could do the house up.

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

The first night was spent at the hotel, we will holiday rather than honeymoon next year as we have a 1 year old son who we couldn’t leave behind for even a day!

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

Just everyone who we loved the most all being in the same room at the same time and sharing our special day, and also becoming Jon’s wife!

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

I don’t think I’d do anything differently, just try not to panic. Also I had loads of extra ideas right up to the wedding so maybe wish I’d thought about things a little more beforehand!