
Shelley and Martin Real Wedding Story
When was your wedding?
17th October 2009
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How and when did you meet?
We met on the 24th October 2003, in a local nightclub. He was leaning on a wall and gestured to me to go over with a little head flick and the rest as they say is history.
How old are you both?
I’m 29 and Martin is 38.
Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?
Martin proposed to me on 24th February 2007 in Aberdeen Maternity ward. I was on day 3 of Labour with our son who was born a few hours later on the 25th February.
Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?
I had a weekend with close friends to T in the Park music festival in July this year. I had a second night out in my home town with 20 or so friend in September. Martin had a lads weekend away in Edinburgh.
How did your groom help with the wedding planning?
He paid for the majority of it while I did the planning!
Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?
The forums were a godsend to me, as you will see from my ridiculously high post count! It was great to have advice from other ladies and gents who were in the planning stages. The advice and support shown has been such an important part of the planning I don’t think I would have enjoyed the build up so much without it.
Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?
I bought quite a few bits and pieces although it was all online. I don’t have a store local to me.
Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it
I wore a 2 piece Phoenix gown. It was ivory with lots of sequins and sparkles. I bought it from Brides Unlimited in Montrose. My crystal and diamante tiara was by Warren Clark and my veil was a Richards design decorated with diamante and pearls. My shoes were ivory with diamante detail. These too came from the same shop.
Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?
I had 3 bridesmaids, my best friend Pamela was my chief, my cousin Emma and good friend Leeann made up the 3. They wore black strapless gowns with white detail by Forever Yours bridesmaid’s range.
Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?
Martin chose his best man Simon, and his best friend Gary for his usher. They all wore silver Pride of Scotland Tartan with black shirts.
Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?
Civil ceremony.
Where did you hold your ceremony?
In the Thistle hotel Altens Aberdeen.
Where did you hold your reception?
In the same venue.
Did you have any special wedding transport?
A silver limo which took myself, my parents, 3 bridesmaids and my flower girl to the wedding.
How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?
We had 86 to the day and a total of 140 in the evening including the evening guests.
Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?
Our wedding colours were black, white and red, which fit perfectly with the venue decor.
How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?
We had red gerbera daisies in the displays with black ink added to the tall vases. The favour boxes were black and white and I did thank you letters for each guest; black for the men and red for the women. These letters were personalised for each guest and doubled as the place settings.
Did you give your guests favours?
We went with tradition and gave to the women only. They had either a necklace, a brooch or a pair of earrings.
Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?
I had a bouquet of red roses with pearl pins attached to the centre. The centre pieces were red gerbera daisies. The hotel provided the centre pieces, while my bouquet came from flower design in Stonehaven.
What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?
We had melon with fruit coulis for starter, traditional scotch broth followed by chicken stuffed with haggis with whiskey and mustard sauce, and a trio of deserts including passion fruit meringue, raspberry cheesecake and baileys chocolate mousse.
What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?
We had a 3 tier Belgian chocolate cake made by JM bakery in Monifieth.
Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?
We had a 3 piece swing band called Oceans 3 play for 2 hours and then a dj to finish the night.
Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?
Yes it was with John lewis.
Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?
The first night was spent in the hotel’s bridal suite. We spent our honeymoon in the 5 star Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh.
What was your most memorable moment of the day?
Walking down the aisle and seeing Martin smiling at me, while having Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’ play.
Did you experience any “nightmare” moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?
We had many a nightmare with the bridesmaid dresses as the shop we bought them from in Aberdeen was useless! All needed major alterations. The only thing that went wrong on the day was the music cutting out when I was only half way down the aisle! it didn’t matter though, it was still a perfect day.
Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?
I wouldn’t change a thing, apart from wishing I could make the day last longer as it went too quickly. My advice is do what makes you happy and enjoy.