Joanne and Allan’s Real Life Wedding
Joanne and Allan
17/09/2005 – Oaks Hotel, Burnley
How and when did you meet?
We were both on a night out, a few days before Christmas 2002. We met in a nightclub called Nexus in St. Helens.
How old are you both?
Allan is 24 I’m 23.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
There was no proper proposal. It was November 2003 and we were in St. Helens, looking in the window of a brand new jewellers. Allan asked if I wanted a ring I said yes so we went in and designed it! I did keep asking Allan afterwards to get down on one knee to ask me!
Did you have hen and stag celebrations?
Yes, we both went to separate horse races. Mine was a ladies’ night at Haydock park. At the start of the night I went over on my ankle (I’d had no alcohol at this point!) so I couldn’t walk! By the end of the night I was in Whiston A&E with a sprained ankle. Allan went to Chester races, got very drunk, went round Liverpool, got even more drunk and then had a three-day hangover!
Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?
Allan didn’t really help, but he did drive me everywhere. He just kept saying tell me where and when and I’ll be there!
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
I was constantly on the Cafe message boards, I’m surprised I didn’t get the sack from work! The girls were brilliant with their advice and they came up with so many suppliers for me as I didn’t live locally to where the wedding was.
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?
No.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.
My dress is a Maggie Sottero called Stella. I got it from Ebay for £205! The woman who bought it originally, ordered it from America, but while it was arriving here her husband-to-be broke up with her. At least the dress was luckier for me!
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had two bridesmaids: my best friend from school, Heather and my cousin, Rebecca. They both wore dresses by Alfred Angelo in wine.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
Allan had his two best friends from school as his best men. We had two ushers: my brother, Steven and Allan’s brother, Ian. They all wore suits hired from Moss Bros.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
We had a civil ceremony.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
It was held at the Oaks Hotel in Burnley.
Where did you hold your reception?
The reception was held in the same room we got married in.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
No, everything was in the same hotel.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
We had 39 people during the day and about 90 people came at night.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Allan didn’t want any pastel or what he termed ‘girly’ colours, so, as he is a Liverpool supporter, we had burgundy (red was too bright) and ivory with a hint of gold.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
We had tall glass candle stick holders with ivory candles, burgundy tea lights in glass holders and the table name holders were painted burgundy. We were going to have the 4-chocolate burgundy & ivory box from Thorntons as our favours but they cancelled our order 2 weeks before the wedding as they had ran out of supplies. I ended up making burgundy bag favours.
Did you give your guests favours?
The favours were burgundy organza bags with two heart-shaped chocolates from Thorntons. As the bags were quite see-through I put in some burgundy tissue paper. On the female favours I wrapped wire which had diamantes attached around the neck of the bag.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
I had burgundy roses which had diamantes in the centre with greenery, some of which were spray-painted gold. The bridesmaid flowers were the same but they had ivory roses. Our florist was Daisy Mays in Paddiham, Burnley.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
The hotel had set menus. We had seasonal melon with strawberries served with a mango and raspberry coulis for starters; pan -fried chicken breast served with a white wine and cream sauce as our main meal and rich chocolate truffle for dessert.
What did you choose for your wedding cake?
My sister in law works with a lady who makes cakes in her spare time and she made our cake for us. It was a three-tier cake, the bottom two tiers were fruit cake and the top was sponge with ivory icing and matching silk flowers.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
We had a harpist playing during the ceremony and drinks reception and we had the DJ the hotel uses in the evening.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
We asked for vouchers from B&Q.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
We spent our first night in the Oaks hotel. We went on our honeymoon on the Monday night to Corfu for two weeks. It was booked through Going Places.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
Walking into the room where the wedding breakfast was, to pose for photos with the cake. I spent ages designing table layouts and decoration, then when I saw the room lit up by candle light, I nearly started crying! It looked fantastic, but there are no photos of it!
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
Only the favours being cancelled, the day itself was perfect. I got 8 hours sleep the night before and then had a 3 course breakfast on the morning of the wedding!
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
Everything was perfect and I would not change a thing! I know brides keep saying you don’t notice the little things on the day, but for me the little things made the day. Make sure you get some time alone with your husband, we did (between the meal & evening do), it just gives you a chance to reflect on your day.