Tanya and Steven’s Real Life Horntye Park Hastings Wedding

When was your wedding?

25/08/07

How and when did you meet?

We worked together as operators at BT in ’99-’00

How old are you both?

I am 25 and Steve is 27

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

I won a trip to Paris and Steve proposed in our Hotel Room

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

We had a joint Hen/Stag bbq at Steve’s mums house, it was great fun having everyone we love around us. Steve’s mum did an excellent job with the decorations and food – her chicken wings are something else!!

How did your groom help with the wedding planning?

He helped with the decorations and most importantly the food!!

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

Yes, the real life stories of other couples were a great help and your brochure helped inspire decorations.

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

I bought bubbles and confetti via mail order. The bubbles went down great with children and adults.

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it

My dress was called ‘Phoenix” from Romantica of Devon, it had great flowers and organza fabric.I had a short veil at the base of my head and a very kind freind lent me her tiara for my something borrowed. I bought my dress from Bustles and Bows in Hastings, the staff there are amazing.

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

I had 3 bridesmaids, my daughter, sister, and best freind. As my sister and daughter are 6 and 7, I got their dresses from BHS and my best friend’s from the same bridal shop as I got my dress.

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

Steve and his best man both wore black suits with lilac shirts and ties, with matching hankerchiefs. Steve’s best man was his cousin, James.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

civil

Where did you hold your ceremony?

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

Where did you hold your reception?

Horntye Park Hastings

Did you have any special wedding transport?

We had a Daimler Limo

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

We had around 30 guests at the wedding, it was mainly family and close freinds. There was a seperate guest list for the evening, in total we had about 50 people.

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

It was lilac and white

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

We had balloons and confetti on the tables and napkins to match

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

Other than balloons and confetti we didn’t have any other table decor. The bouquets, button holes and corsages were purple. The two young girls had wands with flowers and ribbon. Blooms and bears were our florist, they were a great help and came up with the idea for the wands so the girls felt like princesses.

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

We had a summer buffet, there was some much lovely food, I couldn’t begin to describe it.

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

A friend of a friend did the cake. We chose a white cake with lilac butterflies.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

We had a dj in the evening.

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

We spent our honeymoon in London sightseeing.

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

I didn’t realise how quickly the ceremony would be pass, so there was a couple of hours gap between the ceremony and reception but it was ok, it was one of the 2nd hottest days we had this summer. Everyone just relaxed and made the most of it.

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

Just enjoy it and if you can, make a list of what photos you would like. I didn’t and regret not having some of certain people.