The Story Of Our Day

Thursday May 5th

Mum picked me up at lunchtime to load all of the stuff into the car. Got the bridesmaids dressed, mums dress and my dress in along with flowers, table plan, birdcages, bunting. The list goes on.
I had to say goodbye to Daniel so mum left us to have a cuddle. I knew I was only going to be without him for 24 hours but I think by then the emotions had kicked in and I had a little cry. Daniel came out to the car with us to wave us off with me still crying and saying I love you lol.
So we started our journey to Ipswich to firstly drop all of the stuff of at the venue. After a lovely sunny drive down we got there and with our wedding coordinatoers help we took everything in to the wedding room ready for them to set everything up the next morning. I stood there taking a deep breath thinking “this is where I will become a Mrs tomorrow!!”
As neither me or mum had, had any lunch we decided to stay for a drink and something to eat. I chose lovely bangers n mash with onion ring garnish, mmmm.
It felt strange sitting there trying to be relaxed knowing that the next day id be back there and it would be totally surreal.
I started to chat to mum about these stomach achesid been having ( ive mentioned them before in the may brides thread when I was off work sick with stress and I thought it was stress.anxiety that was causing the pains etc.) Mum has been a nurse for 40 years and as I was telling her all the symptoms she said she thinks I have IBS! So she said once we finish we could go and get some tablets over the counter so that I wasn’t uncomfortable on the day. God I really didn’t want that! 
After refuelling on my sausages we made our way over to the hotel where we were staying the night and unloaded everything. We hung all the dresses up and had a quick cuppa.I hadn’t seen the hotel as mum picked it and booked it for us. The gardens were lovely and the hotel itself fit in very well with our vintage theme! Very elegant.
We then went to look for a pharmacy that was open late and to have a little gander round asda to see if they had any magic/gok style body shapers (as mum reckon I was too long in the body for mine and it squashed me boobs flat! Lol) and maybe a new top for my honeymoon . We walked round for a while but couldn’t find any there so went on to sainsbury’s when we then realised it was getting closer to 8 when their pharmacy closed so we bombed it over there and got my tablets thankfully found a lovely body shaper. Right all sorted! Then as we left there we realised we hadn’t remembered to get our selves some tea! So we nipped into tesco on the way back to hotel and picked up a sandwich meal deal. God anyone would have thought we were doing a supermarket tour! Haha. So back to the hotel to relax…..HAH!! YEAH RIGHT.

When we got back to the room mum made me try my dress on with the new body shaper and although it fit much better it made me realise that the straps were too big and loose! I said I would tolerate it but knew I wouldn’t be comfortable in it all day they just kept sliding down. Mum could see I wasn’t that happy with it and she even offered to drive back to saxmundham from Ipswich and go and get her sewing kit so she could try and adjust it some how. We both got a bit stressed at this point because neither of us are capable of doing an adjustment on a wedding dress. We panicked and talked about what to do over and over. I had a bit of a cry again (lol) as I just couldn’t think what we were going to do. Mum kept making get in and out of my dress so she could see what she could do. All she kept saying was “ oh god im not a seamstress by any means Helen I just don’t know what to do” lol I spoke to h2b to say goodnight and speak for the last time and we spoke about the probs with my dress. He said just leave it Helen its too much hassle. So I had kind of resigned myself to the fact that I would be uncomfortable all day. Then mum had a brain wave. I had to get in it again and as I was doing this I turned to look at the painting that was on the wal above the bed. Just quite a plain painting of a landscape or suchlike. I then happened to glance down at the signature of the artist who had signed it…”OH MY GOD” I shouted! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it and I had to take a picture and send it to h2b.
Anyway this getting longer and longer, so will cut it short lol after a little adjustment I was happy with my dress. I ran a nice hot bath and used lavender bath foam so I could lay and relax in it. Mum had hers and we finally got to bed about 1.15am!



Friday 6th may – Our Wedding Day!

I woke up really early and struggled to get back to sleep but managed a dose about 6am. We asked for a 7.30 alarm call which didn’t happen. I woke again and 7.38 me and mum stumbled out of bed and had a cuppa and got ready to go down for breakfast. My stomach felt so strange! It didn’t feel like a nervous tummy ache or butterflies it just felt really really odd and uncomfortable. I wasn’t nervous so wondered why I felt like I was going to pass out!. Anyway I tried to eat at breakfast as I knew it would be quite a while before I ate again. I had a mini croissant and some cereal from the breakfast bar which I just managed then the waitress came over, brought us our tea n coffee and said right what can I get you for breakfast! I thought id had it but we got offered a full English! Mum had a bit of bacon and egg and tomato but I couldn’t face that I had a poached egg on toast but couldn’t finish it all.
Back up to our room for a nice soak again in my lavender bubble bath. By this time we were a little on the drag as I was still in the bath when the hair dressers turned up. She was about 10/15 mins early and is mums regular hair dresser so she made a start on mums hair styling. By the time I got out of my bath and put my bride dressing gown on, it was my turn to have my hair done. I sat there with a peppermint tea trying to settle my stomach. It took some time to curl all my thick hair and what seemed like hundreds of hair pins!
Natasha and Kirsty my bridesmaids arrived while my hair was being finished. Natasha had already had her hair done but Kirsty was having hers done by our hairdresser and she had her make up done. Then they girl who was doing my make up arrived too. The room was beginning to fill up with people now as shortly after the photographers knocked on the door as well!
They started taking a few detail pics and some of the bridesmaids and of me while my hair was being done, then Kirsty stepped into the chair and had her hair done and I swapped to the make up. We all sat there talking but I was starting to get very warm by now and a little nervous.
Me and mum chucked everyone out of the room so I could get my dress on lol Those few mins just me and her while everyone was outside in the gardens was lovely. Peaceful, calming and just what I needed.
Mum got me in my dress being careful not to mess up my hair and tiara I struggled to put on my jewellery as my hands were shaking by now, sprayed my perfume and took several deep breaths. Mum went to go and fetch Trudy and Martin so we could have some pictures taken. As she opened the door one of the staff walked past with her mouth open! Haha
Piccies taken, I made my way down to my beautiful car where the bridesmaids and the driver where standing waiting for me. We all got into the car and the sun was shining, it was so wonderful. On our way to the venue with the top down on the car people walked past staring at the car and waving it felt so surreal but I couldn’t keep the grin off my face!
We pulled into the car park at the back of the venue as I looked up at the door of the wedding room I saw my brother standing there waiting to greet me as he was walking me up the aisle. We were still waiting for some guests to arrive so the videographer got some footage of me and the bridesmaids. The wedding coordinator Tanya came out to see me and told me Daniel had left his suitcase in the taxi that dropped them off at the venue!! They phoned the taxi firm and said they would bring it back when they picked the lads up at midnight. I panicked then because I saw Daniel put the rings in the case!!! Luckily he had already given them to the the best men! Phew.
The last two guests arrived rushing in after having got lost and we were asked to make our way through our private courtyard and up the stairs to the wedding room. I saw my little page boy and flower girl standing there waiting with their parents. They looked so smart. My brother stood there looking nervous but insisted he wasn’t. I heard the music start and the door opened for bridesmaids plus the page boy and flower girl to walk in and I saw two face my old friend from work and her mum.
My turn to walk in now. I tried to keep the pace slow but it kind of felt like a ran in! I was grinning from ear to ear and I could feel my eyes watering. At that moment I couldn’t have told you who was in that room with us. I saw everyone standing up but nothing else I just kept looking at Daniel. He looked so nervous and like he was trying to hold back his tears. When my brother had presented my hand into daniels and lifted my veil, nearly pulling it off my head in the process haha, I looked at Daniel and we both said I love you, I missed you. As my hand went into his I knew hw was nervous Because he had very sweaty palms. We always joke how he gets sweaty hands when he gets nervous. It felt like he’d just been swimming lol So me being the idiot I am said “god your hands are sweaty!!” haha
The ceremony was lovely. My mum was far too emotional to do her reading so the registrar read it for us and then Daniel’s sister read captain corelli’s mandolin.
We exchanged vows and rings and Daniel had to be prompted a few times coz he was so nervous he couldn’t remember what it was he was supposed to be saying.
All the time I was standing there I could feel my legs shaking! I thought to myself I hope no one can see how much my legs are shaking under this dress!
We signed the register and had the dummy one for some pictures and the registrar said just doodle a bit while they take pictures. I felt more relaxed then so I wrote “Than god that’s over!” lol
We walked back down the aisle as husband and wife to the carpenters, we’ve only just begun. I hadn’t told my mum what the song was as it always reminds me of her when we were young and I think dad had left by then and she used to play that song loud while she did her housework. As I heard it start I looked over at her and saw her give me a look, then she started crying. It’s making my eyes well up now just typing it 
We went out to our private courtyard and people took a few snaps then we saw our car waiting for us, Daniel was really pleased as he didn’t think he was going to get a ride in it. But when I left the car to walk up to the wedding room, the driver said “I will be right here waiting for you when you’re finished.” I don’t know why but that seemed to comfort me a bit. He was such a nice man and when we got into the car he poured us a glass of champagne and there was a little box of chocolates there too. He then said “you have had your health so now have your wealth” and handed us the cork with a 20 pence in it. That was really touching and nearly made me cry again.
We went of on our little ride around the town with more people waving and then the car pulled in at the front of the building with everyone there waiting for us. All the people were watching this lovely car and everyone started chucking the confetti at us while still in the car. I said this poor man has to clean all this out now! I wanted them to wait really so we could have photo’s standing up with them throwing them but I guess what will be, will be on the day.
We had more pictures and video taken and mingled for a bit in the gorgeous sunshine, the wind from the beginning of the weeks nowhere to be seen. Then we went up for our meal. Everyone loved the food and all the personal touches id worked so hard on. My auntie and uncle said it was the loveliest most personalised wedding they had been to.
We had some speeches which went really well and when I did mine and mentioned my grandparents, none of whom are alive now I made my sister in laws, 6 foot 5 rugby playing boyfriend cry!
We cut the cake at the top of the muffins on our stand. Everyone loved them and said we should start our own business! Haha We all enjoyed our ice cream dream machine. Then we went off with our photographers to take some pictures along the waterfront and in the room of our hotel and on our balcony. Daniel then started getting a bit grumpy (he hates having his picture taken at the best of times) and he was worried about leaving the guests. So we headed back to Isaacs and waited for our first dance. I didn’t even hear the song I was just so happy and just kept hold of Daniel tightly!
Just after the buffet at 9pm we went back on to the courtyard to let off a few lanterns. The one Daniels dad had didn’t last long as the fuel cell dropped off onto the floor, ours wouldn’t even light, but everyone else’s seemed ok and they all started drifting off, one nearly came back down again. I had my first bridezilla moment now as I was really pee’d off that our one didn’t even light! I walked over to my mum I think and as I got closer to her I heard everyone shouting. I had walked over the fuel cell that was still alight a little and the very edge of my dress had caught on fire!!! They all stamped on it to put it out but it had melted a circle in the chiffon that laid over the top of my train. I couldn’t believe it! I was heart broken and cried again! Everyone said it didn’t matter and that it could be repaired as it was only on the edge. Its was filthy from being trodden on all day and my brother spilt a bit of beer on it earlier in the day where he nearly tripped over me! After id had my cry it didn’t seem to matter as much I just wanted to enjoy the rest of the night. Although it does still make me a little sad to think of it now.
I can honestly say it was the best day of my life. I had done all that work leading up to it and on the day I didn’t give a monkies! I was so relaxed and happy and it was Daniel doing all the stressing about timings and things. I just had a blast. I was worried about guests being bored but everyone seemed to say what a lovely day it was. I feel a bit sad that its all over now and the honeymoon has been and gone. But I still feel so lucky that we had such a wonderful day.

Stags & Hens

Right here goes………………………………………
H2b’s best men got to ours about 10 as arranged, my two bridesmaids got here a little later after getting stuck in traffic on their journey.
We gave them all their gift bags and tshirts which they were really chuffed with, we all sat and had a big cooked brunch, bacon, egg, sausage, beans, mushrooms and bread and butter all washed down with fresh orange juice!
We took a few pics of us in our shirts before we left, then got everything put in the car and off we went.
The three lads went in one car and the girls went in the other, which I drove, and we both had a sat nav in each car except our sat nav wanted to take us a totally different way to the boys infront so that caused of bit of a palava. Anyway we got there and it was really busy. As its in the forest everyone was having picnics under trees and playing games and riding bikes and the weather was gorgeous. We were a bit early for our 2 oclock slot so we sat in the shade and had and ice cream then made our way over to where we had to check in and sign our forms and get harnessed up and have the information about how to use our harness and make sure we were safe.
There were five stages along the course and each one had a rope ladder to take you up the tree and a zip wire at the end. The first stage was the closest to the forest floor and had the shortest zip wire. One person has to get up and do the “run through” as it were, so the instructor said it has to be either the bride or the groom so as the rest of our group were mainly men they all shouted “bride” so I had to get up infront of 3 people and harness myself up along thos wire bridge and then across onto the zip wire where I proceeded to land with a bump, most un lady like on my back side! And got back in my trousers! Lol
We went on to the next stage without our instructor and for the rest of the course. The rope ladder first, then onto a tarzan swing across onto a scramble net across that onto a platform round a tree then across rope bridges and stepping “stones”. Everyone was having fun and getting a bit out of puff lol We came to the taller longer zip wire and we all tried hardest to land on our feet rather than on our bums! It was at his point we heard the first lot of thunder!!
Onto the next starting off again with the rope ladder this time with a few different crossings. So now we are 12 meters up in the air attached to a tree with a safety line and our harnesses and the heavens opened! It absolutely chucked it down, hale stones too and when your quite high up at tree and its raining u tend to get a little wet!! We were all cold and wet and getting tired going across these bridges and crossing and zip wires by the time we finished we were all soaked through to our underwear! The two girls had a bit of a whinge which annoyed me a little at first but we all still had a fab time. I managed to finish the longest tallest zip wire which finishes right back at the start in front of everyone, by landing on my feet!! Yippeeeee!
As soon as we got away from thetford the skies were sooo blue and sun filled them again. We must have been the only place within miles and miles where it rained all our friends and familes had all been siting in the garden getting tanned!
We all came home and changed into dry clean clothes, we all sat looking through all the pictures and laughing. Of course when the rain started the cameras had to go away so we missed the chance to get any more pictures. We all huddled round the Chinese menu and ordered LOADS the lads then all went off to collect it while us three girls sat and had a natter.
The food arrived and we all got stuck in. We all ate way too much and still had left overs. Then we all flaked out on the sofa and sat and watched BGT and trash on the telly and having a laugh. Everyone left about half 11 as my two friends had an hour jouney still ahead of them and we were all so shattered.
We all had a great if not a little wet day everyone had a laugh and we just hope now that it doesn’t rain on our wedding day!

It's The Final Countdown

16 days to go!!!

Well the alarm went off at 7am yesterday morning, I would normally be still laying in bed whilst h2b got ready for work as monday is my normal day off anyway. We got ready and made sure i had everything i needed. Drove down to ipswich which took us about an hour. We got stuck in some traffic so we were a couple of mins late. Tanya our wedding coordinator met us with a hug and offered us a coffee. We sat down and went over all the details as we changed the time of speeches. We then went up to the ceremony room to listen to the songs we have chosen for the ceremony. Felt really strange being in the room where we will be married and hearing the song which i will walk in to. H2b looked at me and said" dont cry i know what your like" i thought i might but i just stood there grinning.
We worked out when page boy/flower girl and bridesmaids will come in and then when i come in. We listened to the two signing songs and then the song that would play us out. We then walk out on to our own private courtyard with lovely garden furniture and have pictures taken and a drink and what not. We then have our meal and speeches and cut the cake. Then we have a bit of time to kill before we have the disco. We were a bit worried every one would get bored. We are having what they call" the ice cream dream machine" lol where you have ice cream in a little pot/bowl and then you can move on to the sprikles bar where you can add your own sauce or syrups and sprinkles like smarties, mint aero pieces flakes marshmallows etc. Then HOPEFULLY its a nice day and our guests can mill around outside looking at the boats on the harbour. Now what we found out yesterday is that becoz down stairs is a bar, they have a band on every friday afternoon from 5 til 7 (which just happends to be the time we need filled!! So we have a live jazz band for our guests to listen to while they eat their ice cream in the sunshine basically for free!!

Anyway we had our appt with the registrar at 11am so we wandered along the waterfront into town. We met the lady who will perform our ceremony. She was really nice, very down to earth and she talked us through the ceremony and we gave our choices. She typed all this up while we were there, took the names of the songs we r having and she had to "you tube" two of them coz i couldnt pronounce their names lol she printed out the whole ceremony as it will be performed on the day so thats good. She talked about nerves and how some people can faint in extreme cases and sometimes when bride and groom turn to face eachother they can burst out laughing as they seem to be standing so close together! lol that made me chuckle.
We paid the balance and ordered an extra copy of the marriage certificate and left.
Mum has given us some easter money so we went to get a few bits of clothing for the honeymoon and as we were walking hand in hand to town in the sunshine i felt so happy. We were laughing and h2b said we better practice where we stand next to eachother and turn so that we dont laugh. So standing in the street he made me practice! He counted to three and we turned....we were nose to nose and i burst into hysterics!!!

Fab day!!

Dress Stress

Well..... 5 weeks today! 35 days to go until i become a Mrs.
I'm sure there is lots to write about but its just a case of remembering it all.
We both have our wedding bands now, and my engagement ring has been resized so it wont keep falling off now. The bridesmaids have fitted on their dresses with their shoes and just one needs turning up a little. Hair and make up trials have been done and very happy with at last.
I had a lovely day out in norwich with a friend from work last week. We went a did a little bit of shopping and i started looking for some wedding day perfume. We smelt so many it was all you could smell by the end of the day. I came home with 18 little sample cards sprayed with many fragrances! After coming come although i'd brought so many home i managed to narrow the 18 down to 3.
Then we had a bit of lunch and sat and ate in the sunshine. Our next stop was doctor spa fish. This is the current craze where they have garra rufa fish in a tank and you put your feet in with them and as they are scavengers they will eat the dead/hard skin off your feet. It was a a very strange feeling. Very tickley. Rather like putting your feet into really fizzy lemonade. I would have it done again and id like to before the wedding gets here.
So now im on my annual leave ive been getting a few last minute things done, have only two more pew ends to finish, done the last bit of bunting that i needed for my thank you card design, filled in all our choices for the way we want to ceremony to run so we have our appointment with the registrar who will marry us on the 18th of april.
Had a lovely day with mum on wednesday. First of all i went back to felixstowe to meet up with my bridesmaids and sort timings of when they will be getting there on the day ready for hair make up etc. After that i met mum for lunch and we wandered into the town. We walked passed a shop which had some lovely wedding outfits in the window. We both said how lovely it was. We went for a coffee to think about it. Then i was spoilt rotten and mum treated me to a dress and shrug for our honey moon. I also found my favourite perfume from the list of three. It is sooooooo lovely.
Next we went back to the shop where we saw the dress for mum in the window. She tried it on and i sat in the changing area and waited. She pulled the curtain open and she looked lovely. She tried a purple fascinator on in purple to match but i didnt look quite right so the lady put a black one on which had a green tinge to it and that looked lovely. I said you look more like a brides mother now and it made her a bit teary! She really wasnt looking forward to finding something to wear so she feel relieved now which has made us both happy.

Yesterday was another good day. I had the car and went to see Future mother in law for a cuppa and we had pancakes for lunch. Before i filled my belly with those though, i had a fit on of my dress. I have a pound to loose to get my three stone award but.........IT FITS!!! I was so pleased i couldnt stop grinning! Ive been so worried that i would never get into it and mums been worrying me saying that i might have to look for another dress! Im just so relieved now it fits me! That's nine months of hard work, and three stone (ish) lost all paying off! Very happy bride to be.

T-shirts and Tantrums

With then hen/stag do booked at Go Ape which is a high wire adventure course, We have both had t-shirts personalised for us and our two friends who are coming to wear. I'm also putting together a hen party goody bag for my two hens. I'm putting in a refreshing eye mask, lip gloss, a little perfume spray, a flip over hen night photo album, i'll be getting a face mask pack and im putting together a "girls night out" cd with its own track listing and cd cover and then i will pop the t-shirt in the bag too.
It's 2 months today until the wedding. Everyone is getting there outfit's sorted out. It seems everyone has a nice new dress that fits except me!
Another tick of the list is the confetti cones. They are all assembled together now, I just need to make some more confetti to go in them now!

Exciting Times

Just over two months to go now til the wedding. Working our way through the list of last minute things to do.
Invites have been sent out and started getting some r.s.v.p's back now. Ive had some time off work recently so I have been able to get a few things planned. I have made a start on the table plan, which is basically an artists canvas. I used some lace ribbon and a vintage style brooch too decorate and have used lilac card as each table. The edges were a little wobbly (my hand just isn't steady enough with the scissors!) so I have neatened them by putting some lovely purple ribbon round the edges so that looks alot better now. Trying to find some stick on pearls or diamanté now just to cover the corners where the ribbon over laps.
Still loosing weight to try and get into my dress! 2 stone 10 pounds gone now and i have a weigh in tonight.

3 months to go!

I become a bit slack with my blog lately. It has been quite a busy time and we have been able to get most things sorted out. It just means I've been too busy to come and write them all down!
So where do i begin. In my last post we had just given notice. which was about 10 months to go till the day. We have now just passed 3 months to go!
Most things are paid for now. Juts have to meet the registrar a month before and pay the remainder of that. We have had a meeting with our photographers Trudy and Martin. We met them at Isaacs on a very windy day. They both seemed to like the place alot and i think they are looking forward to photographing there. On the same day we also met with Kirsty and Natasha to give them there invites and Kirsty and Alex's son Xander is going to be our little page boy so we dropped off his little suit for him to try on. He will nearly be three by the wedding but i know he is small for his age so i got an age 2 suit. It was still a little big for him, bless him. So we bought it back with us and its now been turned up. Hopefully this time it will fit perfectly. The following day we went back to Ipswich to meet up with Tanya the wedding coordinator to sort out timings for the day. We get married at 1.30pm which is quite early apparently. We will have pictures afterwards and eat about 4ish.
Im also happy that mum finally agreed to do a reading for us as part of the ceremony.
We have my future sister in law doing one so wanted someone from my side to do one too. Its mainly to add a little something to the ceremony. They dont last long and we want to to be a bit more personal. Mum reckons she will cry so might take something to calm her nerves!
Nearly finished my little fabric hearts for the pew ends. Need some more purple ribbon. Ive done 10 so far so should be another 4 to go. But when i looked at the chairs while we were there last week im sure there was more chairs there than before....might be making some more!
We also have most of the thank you gifts for the wedding party sorted just the mums little bits to do.
We are also going to go ape in thetford forest for a high wire adventure course. Just us and the 2 best men and my two bridesmaids. The six of us should be enough to have a good day out together! Then we can come back for some food and drink!
Not long to go now!