Rachel and Pasquale’s Real Life Our Lady in West Byfleet Wedding

What is your first name?

Rachel

What is the name of your groom?

Pasquale

When was your wedding?

06/05/06

How and when did you meet?

In July 2003, we initially met at a nightclub and I was instantly attracted to Pas. Our friends actually got together that night and after I returned from holiday two weeks later (during which I am told Pas nagged his friend to get us to meet up when I returned!) we all went on a double date bowling…we hit it off straight away

How old are you both?

I am 26, Pas is 30

Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?

Pas proposed on my 24th birthday. I was totally spoilt with presents and was not expecting a ring as well but my last present was a little teddy with a ribbon around its neck with my ring on it! Of course I said yes and then I was wisked off to Dublin for a romantic few days away

Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?

We both had fairly relaxed hen and stag do’s. I went to Sandown horse races then into Esher for a meal and a few drinks which was perfect. Pas went Go-Karting during the afternoon then also out for something to eat and a drink.

How did your groom help with the wedding planning?

He was honestly great – he helped with all the big desicions and left me to choose the more girly things!

Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?

Yes, I found loads of ideas and companies through Confetti and bought our table decorations and small favours from the website.

Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?

Yes, the chocolate hearts we had as part of our favours (we also had traditional Italian favours) and the paper hearts which were sprinkled on the tables.

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it

I wore a White Princess cut dress with a fitted strapless bodice with sequins and tiny beading and it had a full skirt also with sequin. The dress was from Love Me Do Brides in Walton who were exceptionally friendly and helpful. I wore white satin shoes, a white veil with sequins and a heavy-jewelled tiara

Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?

Yes, I had three bridesmaids and one flower girl. The bridesmaids were in fitted dusky pink dresses with similar shaping and sequins to the top of the dress and the flower girl wore a plain white dress with a dusky pink ribbon to match the bridesmaids. All the dresses were from Belles.

Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?

The groom, best men, fathers and ushers all wore grey with silver waistcoats and pink cravats and hanker chiefs. The groom wore a slightly different style of waistcoat to the other men.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a religious ceremony as we are both Catholic but had a very short 30 minute service without the Mass.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

The ceremony was held at Our Lady in West Byfleet, Surrey.

Where did you hold your reception?

The Reception was held at Oatlands Park Hotel in Weybridge, Surrey.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

As my brother works for BMW he kindly arranged for three silver BMWs for us.

How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?

We had about 120 to the day and a further 30-40 guests in the evening.

Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?

We had a very simple grey/silver and pink theme.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

We had pink floral table arrangements and pink and silver paper heart confetti and pink and silver chocolates on the tables and pink and silver balloons around the room.

Did you give your guests favours?

We had a chocolate heart for each guest, Italian favours in pink and silver and for the children a selection of small toys wrapped in silver tissue paper

Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?

The bouquets were roses with diamantes – I had pink and the bridesmaids had cream. The flowers in the church and on the tables at the reception were pink gerberas, roses and lillies. The florist was already arranged by the hotel but I was so happy with the beautiful flowers that they arranged and again how friendly and helpful Simon was and would totally recommend him – the company is called Simons Flowers in Chessington, Surrey. Our little flower girl had a small pose of roses on a ribboned-wand.

What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?

We had canapes to start. For the sit down meal we had parma ham and figs to start, roast chicken, potatoes and vegetables for the main, a delicious and sickly chocolate dessert. Then in the evening we had a hot and cold buffet – the food was again all arranged by the hotel and was fantastic.

What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?

We had a simple three tiered- white iced fruit cake with perfectly matching pink floral and berry arrangements. Again I can really recommend the cake company – Alexander Taylor Cakes in Woking Surrey – brilliant!

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We had a DJ in the evening which was already arranged by the hotel but was great and played all our favourites as well as a few traditional Italian songs.

Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?

As we’d already been living together for a while we didn’t have a list and asked for vouchers.

Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?

We spent the first night at Oatlands in the complimentary honeymoon suite and then went for an absolutely blissful 5-star honeymoon in the Maldives – paradise!

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

I can honestly say I loved every single minute but looking back I guess seeing my dad’s and my husband’s reactions the first time they saw me in my dress will always stay in my memory.

Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?

No nightmares at all – everything was so well organised by everyone and we had luckily chosen companies that knew what they were doing and knew what we wanted.

Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?

It’s a cliche but enjoy every single second as it will go by so so quickly. Try to stay calm and take everything in. I was so relaxed in the morning and I think that really helped – all I can remember is smiling and laughing the whole day and evening – I wouldn’t have changed a thing.