The Big Day Arrives

The plans and preparations over the last 18 months all come down to this one beautiful day.

Colours had been co-ordinated, themes organised and itineraries set, and god forbid anything goes off schedule, this was indeed a very very special day, and I am so thrilled for my favourite boys, Jamie and Phill.

We all got ready and met in the room set aside for the pre ceremony gathering.

The word came through that Jamie was arriving.  He pulled up in an old Land Rover (one of his dream cars) that was decked out in ribbons and ladies silver dancing shoes. If you have seen Priscilla Queen of the Desert you will understand, and that’s the show they went to see on their buck night.

Pink balloons were released from the back of the Landy, all the more poignant for me, as it was also 12 months to the date that we had lost my lovely cousin Emily, and this was what we did for her funeral.

Arrival pictures taken, we were then taken into the Tithe Barn for the ceremony.  It looked so beautiful as we went in.  Until now, it had all be kept under lock and key, so that it would remain a surprise for everyone.

After a false start because of Phill breaking down into tears, followed by everyone else in the congregation, we settled down to a wonderful ceremony, that was totally personalised for them, incorporating Disney music and references at the end to tie in with the theme for the day.

Then it was picture time, some inside before heading out to do all the group shots.

One of their friends had arranged for turtle doves to be placed either side of the archway into the Tithe Barn, and they got the release some into the skies to symbolise their love for each other.  Again a very emotional moment. I don’t think I’ve stopped crying during all of the events so far, it’s been so beautiful.

Everyone headed back to the pre ceremony room for a quick coffee/tea or glass of something from the bar.  Meanwhile I followed the boys and the photographer and continued clicking away, I also had Phill’s camera, and was trying to get as many memories on his camera for them, as my own.

Next came the full sit down wedding breakfast, speeches, and passing of gifts.

I cried once more at each of the boys speeches, and then even more so at Simon’s.  As Jamie’s brother and best man, it really hit the right note for the whole day.

I was shocked to find myself being called up to the top table to receive the most beautiful bouquet of flowers for making the wedding stationary for them.  More tears!

The afternoon festivities closed down, and we all returned to the room used earlier on the day, and the boys opened some present and relaxed for a little while.

Then it was time for the evening do, and a good old chance and celebration of the day.  The boys did the first dance, and I have to day I’d give them a 10! Brilliant

It was the most amazing and beautiful day, that was so emotionally charged with love and laughter that it was overwhelming.

We love you guys, and feel honoured to have been included in such a special day. x

Jo Anne

 

An Autumn Wedding

Liza and Jim are getting married today, and combining the wedding with their sons Christening too.

Liza is a friend from work, and so, it’s very much a works outing, with all of my lovelies together.

Firstly Alison and Paul…

Then Alison and David…

Sharon – Chris, her husband, is doing the video

 

Tracey, Adrian and Jack…

Me (being played by Flossie today LOL) and Alison…

Mandy and Mike…

and at last……The bride and her Dad

It was a really up beat, ceremony, and Dylan was good as gold bless him.

Then it was outside for some more pictures, before the bride and groom headed to the beach for some more pictures

The weather was glorious, and the pictures that were taken on the beach were fantastic.  Unfortunately I don’t have any of those as we were already at the venue for the celebrations.

Well done to the three of you, we hope you have a happy life together.

Jo Anne

 

19 Years Together

It’s our 19th Wedding Anniversary today.
I have two cards to open that I have been given whilst we are in the Midlands, but I know that there will be some waiting on the mat for us when we get home.

Love you Pooh Bear x

Jo Anne

The Big Day Arrives

At last! the excitement has been rising, but finally, Karen and Dave’s Wedding Day has arrived.

We awoke early to ensure we could get a space in the shower block on site.  Who knew that women showered at 6.30 on a Saturday morning when they are on holiday! I had to wait!!

Eventually showered, we started to get ready, using the awning as our dressing room, as there just isn’t the space in the caravan.

Having handed Fred over to Sally-Ann and Mike’s care for the day, we headed off to Paul’s Mom’s, where Dave had stayed the night before.

Paul, being the best man, had to arrive early in order to keep things on track.
This was totally unnecessary, as everything was chilled when we arrived.

Keith was already partially dressed, both Paul and I were completely ready and Dave said he would wait until a little nearer the time to change.  He’d even walked to the paper shop for the latest newspaper.  It was only 10.00am.  The wedding was at 2.00pm.

12.30pm soon came round and it was time to leave.  The reason being that Karen had asked if I could lay out the orders of service on the seats and tie the bows and ribbons to the end of each row of seating.

I completed this with Paul’s help, and then we went back outside the castle to meet the other guests as they arrived.

Most were catching their breath after the steep climb up the the entrance!

At the appointed time everyone headed into the Great Hall to take their seats ready for the ceremony.

Karen made her entrance on her Dad’s arm, and I instantly broke into tears! She looked incredible…. A real princess, and if possible, even more beautiful than I expected she would look!

The ceremony began, and all too soon, it was time for me to do my reading.  A piece Karen had chosen from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin:

Love is a temporary madness
It erupts like volcanoes and then subsides
And when it subsides you have a decision to make
You have to work out whether your roots have entwined so together
That it is inconceivable that you should ever part
Because this is what love is
Love is not breathlessness
It is not excitement
It is not promulgation of eternal passion
That is just being in love which any fool can do
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away
And this is both an art and a fortunate accident
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground
And when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches
They find that they are one tree and not two

Needless to say, I was somewhat nervous about this reading, and despite the look of sheer panic on my face, it did actually go OK I think!

The service went smoothly, and despite a little rain that meant some of the pictures had to be taken inside, the whole event went very well indeed.

Soon everyone was piling back into cars to head over to Drayton Manor for the Wedding Breakfast.

Once everyone was seated, and before the meal was bought out, the speeches were completed, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the food. Paul did a fantastic job with his Best Man’s speech, and even got a few laughs, which he did not expect!

An incredible meal came out for us all, and before long it was 7.15pm, and the evening guests were due to arrive for 7.30pm.

Music, dancing and more catching up with friends and family, including swapping emails in some cases, and then it was 10.45pm and time for a quick dash back to the caravan site before we were locked out of the site for the night at 11.00pm.

A wonderful day filled with love and happiness.

We love you Mr & Mrs P!

Jo Anne