Jane and Darren Real Anvil Hall, Gretna Wedding Story

When was your wedding?

01.08.09

How and when did you meet?

We met 7 years ago in Blackpool, on a caravan site! Darren (Dee) was a friend of a friend. We’d always heard of one another but never actually met. A group of us were all going out on the town and that’s how we met, I really didn’t like him at first but 7 years later…

How old are you both?

I’m 28 and Dee is 32

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

In Newquay at the harbour, we were staying with Dee’s family down there, he asked me to go for a drive, we ended up at the harbour, he sat me on his knee and said there’s something I want to ask you…. I said yes and he pulled out the ring that I’d wanted for years, it was perfect!!

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

Dee went back to Newquay for his stag do where his friends dressed him up for a weekend of madness. The girlies all went to Blackpool for a night on the town in fancy dress, all 30 of us! it was hysterical.

How did your groom help with the wedding planning?

He picked his own & the men’s suits and basically said if you want it go and get it. He was in charge of sending out the invites too.

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

YES, the forums are fantastic, I’ve made loads of new friends and had some very good advice and support from them, the girls are great!

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it

I had a Ronald Joyce gown 55034 a real princess one, ivory, massive and loads of glitter it was absolutely stunning. I’m just gutted I don’t get to wear it again.

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

My bridesmaids were my sister, friend, nephew and niece. The girls all had full length pale gold dresses and Lucas my nephew wore full highland wear and at 2 yrs of age he looked fabulous, especially with his bagpipes!!

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

All of the men had morning suits with tails in black and gold they looked so smart, Dee’s best man was his best friend Will, his ushers were his two brothers Gavin and Neil.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

Civil

Where did you hold your ceremony?

Anvil Hall, Gretna. It’s a renovated Catholic church it was lovely. We had the best of both worlds; a civil ceremony in a church!

Where did you hold your reception?

At the Gables Hotel, Gretna. Everything was fantastic there, I couldn’t fault one thing!

Did you have any special wedding transport?

I had a Beauford convertible and Hubbie had a stretch limo.

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

19 came to the wedding and reception in Gretna but we had a separate evening reception the week after where 250 people came.

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

Black and Gold to go with the suits etc. I do balloons and wedding cakes so it was great to be let loose to do what we wanted.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

The balloons were black and gold.

Did you give your guests favours?

Yes, bottles of cava & sugared almonds they were lovely.

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

I didn’t have flowers I made Swarovski crystal boquets. OMG the sparkling they did! Everyone commented on them they were, and still are fab!!

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

Leek and potato, soup fillet steak with new potatoes and veg which was to die for then fruit salad and pouring cream.

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

I made our wedding cake it was 4 tiers with crystals and lights on it .

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

Yes the evening of the actual wedding we had a casino roulette table the evening of our reception we had a duo called NRG who were brilliant. They were really up to date and just fantastic. They made the night and everyone still says how good they were.

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

No we asked for donations towards our honeymoon.

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

Our 1st night was in our bridal suit in Gretna, the 1st night after our evening reception was in the DeVere Whites in Bolton. We booked our honeymoon with Olympic Holidays. We went to Turkey for a week which was brilliant.

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

Aaw there’s just too much! I couldn’t possibly choose, it was all just perfect with no hitches at all.

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

Not one, which I was really surprised about.

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

No, I wouldn’t do anything differently, I just wish we could do it all again. I would definitely say, have some time alone to take in the day as it whizzes past so quickly.