confetti – Rachel and Jonathan’s real life weddings
Rachel and Jonathan
How did you meet?
My father became vicar of the parish where Jonathan had grown up. Although I had moved out of home, I was at their housewarming party and Jonathan came along too. We hit it off straight away but I was with someone else at the time. He waited until it had finished and a few friendly dates turned into romance!
Describe the marriage proposal.
We were getting ready to go out for a meal to celebrate our first anniversary. Jonathan was being a bit slow at getting ready and appeared with a candle and a bag. As we had agreed not to do presents I was a bit annoyed!! He then said that I was inappropriately dressed to go out and dropped on one knee and asked me to marry him. I started crying and said of course I would. I opened the bag which contained a beautiful solitaire ring. Having put it on, Jonathan pronounced I was fit to go out! He proposed in the same room where he asked me out.
How long did you spend preparing for the day and how was it?
We had to get married during the school holidays as I am a teacher so we chose Easter 2003, which gave us 15 months. We are both organized yet laid back so planning was great fun. It helped that our parents got on well so it was relatively easy.
What type of wedding ceremony did you have and where?
As we are both church goers, we had a full traditional religious ceremony with a Mass. It was so important that it was in the parish church in Essex as my father was vicar and Jonathan’s family were involved there. We had over 200 guests at the ceremony. We had our closest family friend to marry us along with the vicar who was in charge when Jonathan was growing up (dad played the traditional role on the day).
Where did you hold the reception and what was it like?
We’re both sailors and have spent a lot of time at our Yacht Club in Burnham on Crouch, Essex, so it seemed another way of involving our life in our wedding. It was held at The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham and it was fabulous, overlooking the water and guests were able to take drinks on the balcony. We had 120 guests at the reception which was a buffet. We decided not to have an evening disco but had background music. Everyone seemed to enjoy the chatting. We left relatively early (11.30pm) and stayed in a quiet hotel nearby.
Is there anything you’d like to change, with hindsight?
Nothing. We loved our day so much. We were able to involve so many people in the community and it was just HAPPY.
What advice would you give to couples currently planning their wedding?
Enjoy it. Have a video, you will want it for later on. Don’t get caught up in minor details, focus on why you are getting married!