Suzanne and Andrew’s Real Life Wedding

 

Suzanne and Andrew

19/06/2004 – Upwaltham Barns, near Petworth, West Sussex

How and when did you meet?

We met at work in 1999. He was very good at fixing my PC!

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

On Christmas Eve at Gatwick airport at 6am in the morning when we were late for a flight. I was so suprised it took me five months to say yes!!

Did you have hen and stag celebrations?

The boys went for curry and to a club in London. The girls went to Brighton for a spa day, cheesy strip show and club.

Did your groom help you with the wedding planning?

I wouldn’t let him! We chose the venue together and went on a booze cruise and he arranged his own speech!

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

Yes, we got lots of ideas and tips of the site for suppliers as we organized the whole wedding ourselves from start to finish.

Do you have a confetti web page?

No.

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

Yes, both I bought the favour boxes and petals and card for the invitations.

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

My dress was by Suzanne Neville. It was the first dress I tried on and I had to have it. She is an amazing designer and it was worth the money.

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

Yes, my sister and best friend they both wore ‘sex & the city’ style silk organza tea-length dresses by Watters & Watters which I purchased direct from the US.

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

Andrews best mate was the best man and the ushers were chosen together – brother-in-law, cousin, friend and step dad.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a civil ceremony at Upwaltham Barns, near Petworth, West Sussex.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

In a barn in the middle of nowhere (it’s ok, we didn’t wear wellies!). It was really personal and the registrar was really good.

Where did you hold your reception?

In another converted barn on the same site. We decorated it ourselves and hired table, chairs, caterers, a band etc.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

We had a horse and carriage which my step dad booked as a present. It really completed the day and I’m glad we had it – even though the journey took nearly double the estimated time and I was 40 minutes late!

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

80 to the day and 25 to the evening. We only catered food in the evening for the additional guests and there was still plenty left.

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

A country theme in green, pinks and purples with lots of ivy.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

The centre candles were purple and had a green ring of flowers around them. The favour boxes matched.

Did you give your guests favours?

Yes, we gave jelly hearts to the ladies and bon bons to the men.

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

We did all the flowers ourselves apart from the bouquets. We ordered wholesale and collected the day before the wedding.

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

Our caterers were amazing and worth every penny and more. We had hot and cold canapé’s for a starter which were lovely, lamb for the main and three small desserts per person for the pudding – one chocolate, one lemon and one meringue so you could swap with the person next to you if you didn’t like one of them!

What did you choose for your wedding cake?

My mother-in-law makes cakes so she did the cake as a present. I left it completely to her to decide.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We hired a band in the evening, they were really good at getting everyone one up on the dance floor and the drummer and guitarist were amazing.

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

Yes, with John Lewis.

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

We spent the first night at the barns in a cottage room which was very romantic, and we honeymooned in Grenada and Tobago.

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

Walking down the aisle and the ceremony. It’s scary but you never forget it.

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

A few but I don’t think it ever goes with no problems. The main problem was my hair didn’t go according to plan which made us late then the horse and carriage made us later because it kept stopping and getting too hot! I thought everyone had gone.

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

I might have had my make-up done professionally because it’s hard to keep a steady hand but apart from that I wouldn’t change a thing. The only advice I can give is to do exactly what you want to do – then you won’t regret any of it.