Martine and Neil
04/09/2004 – Gomersal Park Hotel, West Yorkshire
How and when did you meet?
I was working in an airport and Neil was a coach driver. He came up to my desk and started talking to me. We first met at Christmas in 1999.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
Neil proposed on 14th February 2002 at a Valentine’s dinner dance. I was with my parents and my mum and I knew nothing about the meal – it was all a surprise. Just before dinner Neil got down on one knee and said how much he loved me and couldn’t live without me and would I marry him. I was in tears and said yes immediately – then he put the ring on my finger.
Did you have hen and stag celebrations?
We broke the tradition and had a joint celebration with just close friends and family. We started off in the local pub and then went to a Chinese restaurant – it was a very enjoyable evening.
Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?
He put his ideas across and came up with suggestions but I did most of the planning. He arranged the suits for the men and thank you presents for the bridal party.
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
Yes it was extremly helpful with very useful ideas and tools.
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?
Yes – I bought table decorations, balloons, confetti, place cards, feathers etc, I visited the store and also ordered online.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.
My dress was ivory, strapless and A-line style with diamante on the bodice. It had a medium length train and the veil was waist length with diamantes.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
My 11-year old step daughter was bridesmaid and she wore a deep purple dress.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
Neil chose a good friend of his as his best man, and his 14-year old son was his usher. They all had matching black suits with lilac cravats and silver and black waistcoats.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
We had a civil ceremony.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
In a licensed room at Gomersal Park Hotel.
Where did you hold your reception?
Our reception was in the same hotel – Gomersal Park Hotel.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
Jaguar XJ6.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
We had 50 guests at the wedding and an additional 30 in the evening.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Yes it was purple, lilac and silver.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
The flowers were purple, lilac and white. Place cards were purple with lilac feathers and balloons and table confetti were in all three colours.
Did you give your guests favours?
The ladies had sugared almonds and children had a goodie bag.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
My mum did the table decorations but my bouquet and the bridesmaid’s bouquet were from a florist. My bouquet was teardrop shape with white roses and lilac freesias. My bridesmaid had the same flowers in a small hand-tied posy.
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. We started with tomato and basil soup followed by chicken with mushroom and asparagus sauce and profiteroles for pudding.
What did you choose for your wedding cake?
A friend made the cake. It was a round, three-tiered cake with lilac and white flowers and a silver horseshoe and pair of wedding rings on the top. The botton two tiers were fruit cake and the top tier was sponge.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
We had a disco in the evening.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
Our gift list was held at Argos.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
We spent our first night at the hotel and then went off on our honeymoon to Cyprus the next day.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
Standing at the alter saying our vows and seeing Neil’s eyes fill up with tears. That was very special.
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
Give yourself plenty of time to organise everything, and only do what you and your fiance want – it’s your day not anyone else’s. Make sure you get time alone together on the wedding day, even if you both go for a walk for half an hour – the day will just fly by.