Rachel and Paul
27/05/2005 – Central Park, New York City
How and when did you meet?
We met while working for the same company five years ago.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
Paul proposed to me a few days before my birthday (as he couldn’t wait) when we were on holiday in Turkey three years ago.
Did you have hen and stag celebrations?
As we were getting married we just stayed local (in the North East) for our hen/stag do’s. I went to Newcastle with my fiends and family on the usual pub crawl and Paul had a night at the Sunderland Greyhound’s before going clubbing.
Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?
Yes, where he could anyway. There’s only so much they can be involved with.
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
I did use confetti for ideas, but didn’t actually purchase anything.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.
I wore a bodice and skirt by Amanda Wyatt. I tried over 20 dresses before I decided on this one, as I just avoided the ‘slim’ fitting styles at first, but was quite surprised with this one!
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had one bridesmaid, my one and only younger sister Ann. Kept thing’s simple! She wore a three-quarter pink satin dress from Coast as I thought she could maybe wear it in the future to a nice party.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
Our best man was Darren, a friend of Paul’s for nine years.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
We had a civil ceremony, but with some religious reference’s i.e. having our ring’s blessed etc.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
We got married in Central Park, New York City. It was Amazing!
Where did you hold your reception?
We hired a room at a Irish Restaurant/bar just off Times Square for our 16 guests. We had a beautiful meal, then the traditional speeches etc.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
Yes a Limousine.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
We invited 16 people to New York, then had a party in Sunderland for 150 people when we came home.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Yes. Pink was the theme, but it was only subtle.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
I made all our wedding invitations which were brilliant white card with the text printed on a pearl pink paper, then each one had a pink flower attached. So for the tables at our party, we placed four candles per table, clear glass holders, with pale pink candles and the same flower from the invitations stuck onto the outside of the holder.
Did you give your guests favours?
In New York we gave our guests a scroll each, which had a nice poem, basically thanking them for being there, how much it meant to us.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
As we were married in NY, I only got to pick my bouquet four days before our wedding. Therefore I selected a simple posy made up of cream and pink roses. All our guests wore cream buttonholes.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
After the wedding our guests had selected from a menu, and for our party in Sunderland the venue handled the catering.
What did you choose for your wedding cake?
We had a two tier (stacked) sponge cake in NY and at home we bought four fruit cakes from M&S and decorated them ourselves.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
Our entertainment during the day was the speeches and at our evening party, we had a DJ.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
No, we didn’t have a gift list. We’ve lived together for four and a half years, so have all essentials.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
Our first night was in our hotel in NY, then we flew to Miami, and drove down to the Florida Keys for seven days honeymoon.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
Arriving at the park with my dad and seeing everyone in the distance waiting for us.
Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
Yes. I had planned to have my make-up done at Clarins in Bloomingdales but was running approx. 45 minutes late. I ended up in a cab (grid-locked) at 1.15pm on my way back to the hotel to get dressed and was due to get married at 2pm. I decided to pay the cab after half way and run the rest! I did it!
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
I wouldn’t change a single thing. My only advice would be to allow yourself plenty of time to get dressed on the day, and space out your hair and make-up appointments.