Kieren and James’ Real Life Wedding

 

Kieren and James

29/05/2005 – The Bridge Inn, Walshford, near Wetherby, West Yorkshire

   

How and when did you meet?

My best friend Debbie – a well known matchmaker – introduced us at a barbecue and then set us up on a ‘blindish’ date – as I couldn’t remember how he looked! She told me he was mad keen on me – I didn’t realise she’d told him the same thing…! She was our chief bridesmaid.

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

He proposed last June on the 5th anniversary of our first date. I’d just come in from having my nails done and in the kitchen was a huge bouquet with a label reading ‘there’s something I want to ask you’ – so he asked me over a cuppa in the kitchen (very romantic!).

Did you have hen and stag celebrations?

I had a weekend away with the bridesmaids to a health and pampering weekend and a second ‘hen and cock’ night around Leeds. James had his stag in Leeds doing blokey things like go-karting, going to a strip club and having a curry!

Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?

Yes – James organised the honeymoon.

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

I adored the cafe and I’m still addicted now although I’m a missus! Just wish I’d discovered it earlier.

Do you have a confetti web page?

No too high tech for me!

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

We bought loads from the Leeds store… disposable cameras, rose petals, heart shaped confetti, bubbles, party poppers, blowers, wedding trivia, ‘mrs’ t-shirt…

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

It was a Ronald Joyce ivory two piece. The bodice and straps were embroidered with pink roses, diamantes and pearls. It had a detachable train with the roses, diamontes and pearls embroidered around the hem.

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

Debbie was chief bridesmaid and I had my other two best friends Lisa and Hannah. They wore two-piece outfits in the same shade of pink but with different bodices. I got the idea from Charlotte’s first wedding in ‘Sex and the City’ but unfortunately couldn’t afford Vera Wang! They also had cream fabric roses pinned to the waist – one of my wedding bargains at 75p each!

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

He had his brother Stuart as best man, and Stuart’s twin Richard as usher along with their friend David. He chose Stuart over Richard as he is the less shy!

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a civil ceremony.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

The Bridge Inn at Walshford near Wetherby.

Where did you hold your reception?

At The Bridge too – the Walshford suite which is set round a beautiful courtyard.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

No, unless you count the seven seater taxi which transported us to the venue!

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

52 for the day and about another 60-70 for the evening.

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

Pink!

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

Pink and white favour bags and name cards, pink candles, pink cameras, pink rose petals …

Did you give your guests favours?

Yes, Love Hearts in the favour bags for both the men and women.

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

Beautiful pink and cream roses with freesias which smelt gorgeous. My bouquet had crystals in it too. The pink matched the bridesmaids dresses perfectly. The table decorations were also roses and freesias. The florist was Adriennes in Farsley, Leeds and she was excellent.

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

The venue did the catering and it was fantastic. We had Kir Royale for the reception drink (more pink!) with canapés of prawn toast, crostini, ham and melon skewers and chicken parfait. The wedding breakfast was melon with pink (!) champagne sorbet, roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding, roast and new potatoes, creamed carrot and Swede and mange tout and baby sweetcorn. The pudding was chocolate and pistachio creme brulee. We also had a cheese board.

The veggie option was Thai vegetable curry and we had one guest who didn’t eat red meat but didn’t like curry so they made him salmon with leeks and champagne sauce which sounded gorgeous!

The evening do was a fabulous barbecue with an enormous pile of profiteroles for dessert.

What did you choose for your wedding cake?

A friend of my mum made the cake. It was one tier of fruit, one of chocolate and one vanilla sponge. It was decorated with pearls and pink roses and was beautiful. However we did forget to cut it so my mum put the sponge in the freezer and we had it when we came back and it didn’t freeze too badly and tasted fab!

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We had a DJ who also played background music during the wedding breakfast.

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

No we asked for vouchers or bottles/boxes of wine and got 103 bottles!

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

We spent the first night at the venue and went for two weeks in the Maldives which was paradise.

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

It was all wonderful but probably as we walked down the aisle as husband and wife and everyone applauded. The speeches were great too, I nearly cried at all three!

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

Not on the day except the photographer didn’t turn up but as you can see from the pictures that didn’t matter a bit! Too many to mention on the run up probably the worst being the dress maker taking the bridesmaids dresses in too much and I was there the day before at 4pm watching the seams being ripped out of one of them when I should have been relaxing in Harvey Nic’s with a glass of Champagne!

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

I wouldn’t change a thing. I only wish it would have gone slower so the only advice I’d give is cherish every moment!