Maria and Simon’s Real Life Wedding
Maria and Simon
16/09/2006 – St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Maidenhead, Berkshire
Polish Association in Stoke Poges
How and when did you meet?
We met through a mutual friend 4 and a half years ago. We got back in touch via the Internet and went on our first date in January 2002.
How old are you both?
I am 23 and Simon is 31.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
Simon proposed at my 21st birthday party – after a few for Dutch (or Polish) courage.
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
I had a pole dancing party at my mum’s house with 10 of my friends and family – fantastic fun! We then partied the night away in Kingston. Simon went golfing with the lads and then ate and drank rather a lot!
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
Si helped by letting me get on with it and occasionally passing his credit card to me!
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
Oh yes! I couldn’t have done it without Confetti! The website is so informative and easy to use.
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
I brought everything from the invitations to the bubbles and the sweets. My best buy were the 10 cameras for the tables! We have some fantastic pictures from them!
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
Well, it was the one and only dress I tried on in the summer of 2004 as the wedding seemed so far away. I tried not to focus too much on it. In February I went to The Wedding Fair in Olympia with my mum and matron of honour – Kim. I saw the dress on a stand and ordered it there and then from a store in Stamford Hill called Losners and got it for 20% less than I saw it for! It is a beautiful a-line, full length, lace gown by Maggie Sottero – in diamond white over light gold – embellished with bugle beads and pearls.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had three bridesmaids who all wore handmade dresses from the Wedding Center in Marlow. My sister, Krystyna, and Si’s sister, Sally, wore light gold dresses and my matron of honour, Kim, wore a chocolate brown dress. They were all strapless a-line, calf length dresses with a bow around the empire line. They wore beautiful brown and cream polka dot sandals from Dune. I also had a little bridesmaid, Abigail, who wore an ivory satin and lace dress and carried a wand of roses.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
Si’s best man was his sister’s fiancé, Nick, with my little brother, Ryszard, as an usher. Our page boy, Jack, carried our ring cushion.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
Religious ceremony.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Where did you hold your reception?
At the Polish Association in Stoke Poges.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
My dad and I went to the church in a beautiful vintage caramel coloured 1920’s Rolls Royce convertible.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
We had 80 to the sit down meal and a further 60 for the evening.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
My theme was ‘Vintage’ so the colour scheme was chocolate, gold, pink and ivory.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
The flowers were all cottage style peonies, roses with lots of ivy.
Did you give your guests favours?
everyone received a small bag of sugared almonds and gold smarties! The children – all 12 of them – had goodie boxes that I made myself comprising of nothing that could be thrown or blown! – to keep them entertained. Immediate members of our family also had small wedding cake candles from confetti.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
Our bouquets and buttonholes came from Longacres in Bagshot and the table decorations were by Seventh Heaven Events in Datchet. I had titanic roses throughout with ivory roses, stephanotis and ivy to carry the vintage theme.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
Polish friends of the family provided all the food. Canapes to start – Roast beef, potatoes, selection of fresh veg and Polish salads – Meringues filled with strawberries and a coulis on the side. In the evening a full buffet was provided with lots of Polish food and cakes!!!
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
Margret Burridge made our gorgeous cake – Rosebows – the bottom tier was sponge cake, the second tier was chocolate fudge and the top fruit cake. Three square tiers with ivory bows around them and roses in between the layers.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
During the meal we had a swing/blues band playing and in the evening a fantastic disco!
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
No, we chose to ask for gift vouchers instead
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
Si’s sister and fiancé paid for our first night in a hotel! We went to Sorrento,Italy and stayed at the Hilton in an executive suite.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
Walking down the aisle with my dad.
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
The day before the wedding Seventh Heaven Events were supposed to deliver all of the linen it came creased, stained and it seemed impossible to rectify – all my family gathered together as many irons as they could find and got to work.
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
Keep all your receipts for everything! Once you have a theme or idea, try to stick with it and not get carried away by what other people think! Remember it’s your wedding – you only need to please YOU!
