Sarah and Paul’s Real Life Wedding

 

Sarah and Paul

29/05/2004 – All Saints Church, Waltham, Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire Hotel Elizabeth, Grimsby

How and when did you meet?

We met on Cleethorpes Pier which isn’t quite as bizarre as it sounds – it’s nightclub!

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

He didn’t and still hasn’t. We just decided to get hitched!

Did you have hen and stag celebrations?

I had moved to Derby where Paul lives so I went back to Grimsby, went for a meal with all my friends and then round the pubs. Paul had a night out in Derby with his friends.

Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?

Ha Ha – groom and planning don’t quite go together! He came with me to see the car and to choose morning suits.

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

I used the forum quite a lot.

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

We were in London one weekend so I dragged him down Tottenham Court Road to the Confetti store to get my favours.

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.

I bought my dress from Alison Evans Bridalwear in Swadlincote. It was designed by Margaret Lee – a strapless gold brocade bodice with a full ivory skirt and full train. I wore a waist length two tier veil with a handmade tiara and I had the crystals cut out of my mum’s headdress put into it.

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

My best friend Louise was my chief bridesmaid and I also had Paul’s niece Sarah as a bridesmaid. They both wore wine coloured Mori Lee dresses.

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

Paul’s best friend Dave was his best man, and my uncle and Paul’s brother in law were our ushers

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a religious ceremony.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

All Saints Church in Waltham, Grimsby.

Where did you hold your reception?

Hotel Elizabeth in Grimsby.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

Yes, a 1932 Rolls Royce – built in Derby!

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

We had 60 guests in the day and another 100 in the evening.

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

The colour scheme was gold and ivory – we had a very traditional theme.

Did you give your guests favours?

Yes, miniature bottles of Estee Lauder Beautiful (my wedding fragrance) and gold and ivory traditional favours containing Confetti chocolate dragees.

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

A florist in Grimsby did my bouquets and they did the most amazing job! I had ivory ‘Singapore’ orchids, ivory freesias, champagne and ivory roses and beargrass. My friend Jane used to be a florist and she made 60 buttonholes and 10 pew ends. She sat in my back garden the night before for five hours and she did an amazing job!

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 all the catering. We had a three course dinner (soup or melon for starter, beef or turkey for main and apple pie or profiteroles for pudding).

What did you choose for your wedding cake?

My great aunt made the cake. It was beautiful and more than I could ever have wished for.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

A local band played. They were brilliant and had the whole room up and dancing!

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

We didn’t have a gift list – most people gave us cash or vouchers.

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

Our first night was spent in the hotel. We honeymooned in Las Vegas and San Francisco.

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

Having my photo taken sitting on Paul’s motorbike!

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

I’d have relished every minute more – it all goes by in a flash!