Melissa and Everton
11/09/2004 – Albrighton Hall Hotel, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
photos by Spinning Your Dreams Photography
How and when did you meet?
We met 11 years ago in a sports shop. We were both students and I worked there on a Saturday. Everton came for an interview one day and we became instant friends.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
We didn’t really propose to each other. We just kind of decided it was time!
Did you have hen and stag celebrations?
My bridesmaid organised a limo and a meal at my favourite restaurant. We then danced at a club until five in the morning. For the stag night, Everton’s friends took him to a club where the entry fee includes all you can drink. Well he did drink and was deposited back at his mom’s house a few hours later pretty much unconscious. Everybody thought it was hilarious but he was so ill I was worried he wouldn’t make it down the aisle the following week.
Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?
He didn’t really but was fully aware of everything that was being planned and approved the venue and themes etc. I think it was a total shock for him when he saw how it all came together on the day and that’s when he appreciated all the hard work. He loved planning the honeymoon though.
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
The message board was a God send. Without it I wouldn’t have found things like my shoes and the readings.
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 – lots of confetti for the tables and the little Groom’s guide book – he never read it!
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.
My dress was a beautiful two piece bodice and skirt. The bodice had a gorgeous lace-up back and intricate crystal diamond and crystal beading detail to the front side and back. The skirt was plain ivory with a train but I had a hook added so that it could be worn bustle style in the evening.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I only had one bridesmaid, my oldest friend Nicola. We’ve known each other since I was 16 and I was never going to choose anybody else! She wore a lovely gold shimmer cocktail style dress with thin straps and a fish tail. We had ties for the groom, best man and our dads made from the same material.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
Everton chose his childhood friend Jeremy to be his best man. They have known each other since infant school. Jeremy now lives in Canada but he came all the way ‘home’ just so that he could be at the wedding. In his speech he remembered the day he and Everton met which touched everybody.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
We had a civil ceremony. To make it special we asked my brother and Everton’s sister to do readings. They were very personal to us. Everybody cried but loved them!
Where did you hold your ceremony?
The Albrighton Hall Hotel in Shrewsbury. I saw a little advert for it in a venue magazine and fell in love with it the minute I drove through the gates.
Where did you hold your reception?
Also at the Albrighton Hall Hotel in the Mallard Room.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
We didn’t need any special transport as we stayed at the hotel all weekend. Our families did hire a mini bus to get them there though! I don’t think Shrewsbury town centre has recovered from the mini bus parking up for dinner on Friday night and 20 or so people getting out!
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
We had a very small and intimate wedding – only 38 altogether including us. We did, however, invite another ten or so friends to join us in the evening.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Our theme was gold and ivory.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
We had gold and ivory tealight candles on each table, ivory favour boxes tied with gold ribbon and gold confetti. The foliage with the lilies also had very small gold ball beads threaded on to it.
Did you give your guests favours?
Yes. We gave miniatures of Barbados rum to the boys (my mom bought them back from holiday) and miniature Baileys for the girls. This also kept up the gold theme.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
I was lucky enough to find a lovely florist who works from home. She made matching bouquets of Calla lilies for Nicola and I. Mine had silver ribbon and decoration to match my dress and Nicola’s had gold decoration. Each table had a tall stem vase which held one single lily with gold ball bearings. The top table was decorated with the most beautiful lilys and ivy loops. The boys had single ivory roses as buttonholes with gold triming.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
The hotel handled all the catering and it was lovely. We started with tomato and red pepper soup. The main course was chicken breast stuffed with cranberry with seasonal vegetables and red wine gravy. For pudding we had our all time favourite – apple pie with cinnamon ice cream. The portions were huge and everybody was full!
What did you choose for your wedding cake?
We had a very simple three-tier square cake. It was plain white with gold ribbon wrapped around each tier. It was made by a family friend who makes the most delicious Caribbean fruit cakes. All tiers were laced with rum.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
As we had a small wedding we did not want a traditional disco so we had a Casino evening. We hired the tables and croupiers etc. and everybody played Black Jack or Roulette. Everybody said that they had a great time and enjoyed doing something different. We hired the casino for three hours but time just flew by.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
We didn’t have a gift list. We truly wanted our guests just to come and share the day with us. We are however very blessed and many of our guests gave us vouchers for various shops and household stores.
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 the staff spoilt us with breakfast in bed. We left two days after the wedding for our honeymoon to San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
The day holds so many memories but the best was seeing the look on my Mom and Dad’s face when came to collect me from my room and saw me in my dress for the first time. They were just bursting with pride.
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
Personally, we wouldn’t change a thing. My advice to other brides would be to enjoy every minute of the day – it goes so quickly. Also, make sure you catch up with all of your guests afterwards. I can guarantee you they will all have a story to tell about something that happened on the day.