Laura and Adrian’s Real Life Wedding

Laura and Adrian

How did you meet?
We met at work 10 years ago. After working together for five years we eventually became good friends and things went on from there.

Describe the marriage proposal.
Adrian was in Munich for a two week training course. I couldn’t go that long without seeing him, so I flew out to join him for the weekend. We went out around Munich, a beautiful city, for the day and later on back at the hotel he proposed. That was back in July 1996, and we thought we’d wait a while before we set a date.

How long did you spend preparing for the day and how was it?
We finally set a date for September 2000, and thinking that it would be impossible to get a venue for a Saturday in the year 2000 we opted for a Friday, the 22nd. Once we’d booked the venue we sat back for a little while longer before we worried about everything else.

What type of wedding ceremony did you have and where?
We had a civil ceremony at the Bridgewood Manor Hotel in Rochester, Kent. All my family and friends had to travel down from London, so we wanted it all to be in one place, not having to worry about finding wherever the ceremony would be, and then having to find the reception venue.

Where did you hold your reception and what was it like?
The reception was also at the Bridgewood Manor. We were looked after very well, and the staff were brilliant. They treated us like royalty – there were three different weddings there that day and we felt like the only ones there which was great. The hotel staff took over and I didn’t have to worry about a thing. They gently prompted us and kept us to the timetable – we were so wrapped up in it all, we hadn’t a clue of the time and they stayed in the background keeping an eye on everything.

Thinking back to the ‘big day’ what things did you especially enjoy?
The civil ceremony we had was brilliant. We were closer to our guests than you would be at church, and we faced them the whole time, so they could see and hear everything clearly. The Registrar & staff were there for us, and we didn’t have another ceremony waiting to get in the door. I would thoroughly recommend it. .

Is there anything you’d change, with hindsight?
Absolutely not, I’d do exactly the same again tomorrow.

What advice would you give to couples currently planning their wedding?
Don’t let people interfere and tell you how they think you should do it. Do it your way, it’s your day after all. And, don’t worry about tradition. Think of how the two of you would like to enjoy yourselves and everyone else should fit in around you and be happy for you. Make it as individual as you are.