Jayne and Malc’s Real Life Wedding

 

Jayne and Malc

04/06/2005 – St James Church, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

   

How and when did you meet?

We dated eight years ago when I was introduced to him by his cousin (who I worked with). Malc was gorgeous and every girl fancied him, but unfortunately I had eyes for someone so else so it didn’t work out. We remained friends throughout the seven years that I was engaged to someone else. In September 2003 I hadn’t seen Malc for seven months and missed him terribly. I was working in a bar as I had split up with my ex, Malc came in to drown his sorrows as he had just split up from his girlfriend and our eyes met once again across a smokey bar! The rest, as they say, is history!

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

Malc had been plotting behind my back for three months. As we got together he designed a ring for me as he says he knew straight away that he wanted me as his wife. We always went out on a Friday night for a meal, so this particular Friday was no different except Malc was unusually fidgety and quiet. I thought he was there to break up with me and so we ended up having an argument! After the meal Malc asked if we could go for a drive to talk, I thought ‘Oh great here it comes, I can’t believe he is splitting up with me’. We got to a gorgeous lake about 11.30pm and sat and watched the ducks and stars. At midnight I said I was cold and wanted to go home, at this point I was really stropy. Malc then turned to me and told me how much he loved me and out of the blue asked me to be his wife! OH WOW! I was so shocked as this boy I had known for eight years had always said he would NEVER get married…but he had just asked me!! I burst into tears with joy and I suppose with relief that I hadn’t been dumped! I was going to marry my best friend.

Did you have hen and stag celebrations?

Both Malc and myself had our stag/hen do’s on the same night a week before the wedding. Malc went to the dogs with all his friends and my dad. They had a great time – surprisingly a lot tamer than my hen night – although somehow his trousers were split and they lost his belt… I don’t think I want to know! He came back with more money than he left with! I had a fantastic night in our local town. My sister had organised all my friends to turn up wearing something pink and had hired the VIP lounge. I was so drunk and so pleased to have all my closest girl friends there. I couldn’t have asked for a better night.. we had a ball…but all details of the night are a secret!

Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?

Malc was very sweet with the wedding planning and left most of the organising to me. He did have the final say over the big bookings like the church, reception, hymns and men’s suits! The rest he said I could choose as it is a girls dream day!

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

I used confetti for presents, table decorations, favours, bikini and most of all the chat room! I made some lovely friends and got some really helpful advice both wedding and non-wedding related.

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

My dress was a deep ivory colour. It was called Relieve and is by Pronovias. It is such a different style that everyone commented on it. The main part of the dress was an organza coat that had a raindrop effect of beads and diamontes falling down the entire coat. The coat followed the lines of the dress and fastened at the front. I sparkled all day!

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

I had two bridesmaids and two flower girls. The two flower girls wore ivory dresses with a lilac sash and lilac butterflies sewn on the skirt. The bridesmaids wore a two-piece outfit from Jim Hjelm. These were in lilac with an organza overlay. The two eldest girls had miniature versions of my tiara and the two younger ones had little loveheart wands. The two flower girls and one of the bridesmaids are my nieces and the other bridesmaid is Malc’s cousin.

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

Malc chose his best friend Neil to be best man and he chose my brother in law and his friend James to be ushers. They all wore black frock coats with pinstripe trousers, with silver detailed waistcoat. They wore high collared shirts with lilac cravats.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a religious ceremony and I loved it! I remember every second and it will stay with me for the rest of my life. All our guests said it was very intense and romantic.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

The ceremony was held in my local church, St James Church in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. It is a large beautiful old sandstone church.

Where did you hold your reception?

The reception was held at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Tunbridge Wells.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

I went to the church and to the reception in a horse and carriage and my parents arrived in a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

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

We had 60 guests to the wedding breakfast and the ceremony, and over 200 guests for the evening.

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

The colour for the wedding was white and lilac. The theme was feathers and butterflies and surprisingly I managed to get it looking romantic and not tacky.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

I made the favours myself – they were white boxes tied with lilac ribbon. On top of the boxes I had stuck a little lilac butterfly (from confetti) and one feather (also from confetti). There was lilac butterfly confetti strewn over the tables with two lilac candles and four tea light candles with a Cala lilly in the centre.

Did you give your guests favours?

The favours were two chocolate truffles.

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

I carried a bunch of Cala lillies tied with a lilac ribbon and my bridesmaids carried smaller versions. The tables each had one lilly in a vase with lilac sand.

What did you choose for your wedding cake?

We had a traditional three tier cake with two fruit tiers and one sponge. My godmother made it for us.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

In the evening we had a disco and he was absolutely fantastic.

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

We had a gift list with Next. We asked for vouchers as we couldn’t decide what we wanted!

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

The first night of our married life was spent at the Ramada Jarvis but we then flew off to the Maldives for ten days.

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

The bit I remember most is saying our vows as Malc rubbed my hand all the way through and helped me calm down when I nearly cried.

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

I had too many nightmare moments to mention. But on the wedding day you don’t care!

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

I wouldn’t do one thing differently. If I give any advice to brides it would be, it is your wedding at do as you please. And just enjoy it! The day goes so fast so stop every now and then and just watch your guests enjoying themselves and at all the work you have done. Well done you!