 Alan and I met five years ago at the school where
we both work, we had been going out together for about
a year when we decided to 'tie the knot'. It was the most
wonderful experience of my life and a day that I will
always cherish.
The two nights before the wedding I spent at my parents'
house. It seemed strange to be back in my single bed,
with my sister in the adjacent room. Strange but somewhat
comfortable! It was a lovely atmosphere, all the family
together under one roof again.
The night before the wedding I did not sleep too well
and woke up at 5.30am with a nervous excited feeling in
the pit of my stomach. I lay in bed thinking about what
the day had in store for me, with the world's largest
smile on my face! By 6.00am, I had had enough, and decided
that it was time to get my parents up! I went and made
them a coffee and then like all those Christmas mornings
that had past when I was smaller, I woke them up! They
didn't seem to mind. My sister, Sally, who was to be my
chief bridesmaid joined us, it was like old times. I sat
with them drinking my tea chatting about the day ahead
feeling quite relaxed.
At 8.30am, Charlotte, the first of my small bridesmaids
turned up, closely followed by Lisa and Fern. It was then
time to go to the hairdressers! We arrived and they quickly
transformed Sally, Charlotte, Lisa and Fern, but I was
to take longer because they needed to wash and set my
hair to try and tame my curls! It felt strange seeing
them all hair done up, tiaras and normal clothes. I think
it was then that it hit me that it was really my wedding
day and in less than a few hours I would be Mrs Chipping!
I felt tears well up in my eyes as I sat under the dryer.
I was so happy!
My dad came and collected me from the hairdressers and
there I was in the centre of our local high street with
my hair done my veil and headdress attached still wearing
my jeans and a shirt! No wonder I got some many strange
looks from the passers by!
Once at home it was time to begin the rest of the transformation,
make up first. My hand was shaking so much I had the devil's
own job to apply my eyeliner in a straight line, but I
did it! It was then time to put on my bridal underwear,
but do you think I could do up my suspenders on my basque?
No matter what I tried, I couldn't do it! Probably the
nail extensions! I called to my mum but she taking delivery
of the flowers, my sister was dressing the little ones,
so that left my dad! Poor dad, you should have seen his
face when he knew what I wanted him to do, but he rose
to the challenge and in less than I minute my stockings
were safely secured!
 It was then the photographer arrived! I couldn't
believe that the time had gone so fast! I shouted down
to her that I wasn't dressed to which she relied 'Good!
I'll come and get some pictures of you in your underwear!'
I initially thought she was joking, until I saw her coming
upstairs with her camera in one hand and her tripod in
the other! I was really nervous as she snapped away, chatting
to me all the while, trying to make me relax. The photos
are great, very tasteful, but not really for publication
here!
Next it was time to put my dress on. I was shaking, not
sure whether it was due to nerves or excitement. Probably
a mixture of both! As I opened the door of our spare room
and saw my dress hanging there, I knew that it was the
perfect dress for me, all those doubts that every bride
must have, simply disappeared. I couldn't wait to put
in on! My mum patiently laced up the back and I went outside
to join the rest of the wedding party who were having
their photos taken.
It was the first time I saw everyone dressed, my sister
looked fabulous in a satin coral sheath dress, the little
ones looked so sweet in their ivory organza dresses, finished
off with coral teddy bears on hoops and the pageboys looked
very dapper. I was so pleased with the effect; all the
months of planning had paid off. As I walked out of the
patio doors into the garden everyone came and greeted
me, saying that I looked beautiful, I was so happy, I
thought I would burst!
Photos were taken, goodbyes were said the photographer
and the videographer as the cars arrived. They were even
nicer than I had remembered, all Rovers from 1934, a black
one, a brown one and a green one. It wasn't long before
it was time to say bye to my mum and the attendants, leaving
dad and me standing on the drive waiting until it was
time for us to leave.
 1.15pm came and with the help of the chauffeur
I managed to manoeuvre my self and my ensemble into the
chair, leaving just about enough room for my dad to squeeze
in beside me! We began our journey to the church, I could
tell my dad was nervous because he kept squeezing my hand
and giving me his most reassuring, 'I'm really proud of
you look.' It was all I could do not to cry!
Once at the church it was time for more photos.The vicar,
Rev Brian Cassidy, who had become a friend of ours over
the course of our engagement, welcomed us.He was genuinely
happy to be conducting our ceremony. It made all the difference,
he knew both Alan and I and we knew he would make the
ceremony very personal to us.
Time rushed by when it occurred to me that it was time
to go in. he vicar opened the door and asked the congregation
to stand. The organist began playing Trumpet
Tune by Purcell; I slipped my hand into my dad's arm
as we made our way through the church door as everyone
turned to look at us. I felt ecstatically happy; everyone
was smiling and giving me looks of encouragement. They
sighed and made 'Ahhhh' noises at the little bridesmaids
who looked angelic as they followed us down the aisle.
We turned the corner, and it was then that I saw Alan
for the first time. He turned to look at me and gave me
that wonderful adoring smile of his. He looked dashingly
handsome and radiantly happy. I realised in that instant
that this was the most wonderful occasion of my life.
Alan and I were about to married and that it was the most
natural thing for us do. I was in love with him and he
was in love with me! We said our vows with tears in our
eyes; it was a magical moment. I cannot express how I
felt at that moment, although I know that I have never
felt that way before.
 After the vicar had declared that
we were husband and wife, the congregation clapped and
the vicar asked Alan if he would like to kiss Mrs Chipping,
as he did the congregation clapped even louder. It was
that then we followed the vicar to the altar, where we
lit our marriage candle together, taking the light from
the two candles on either side. This was to symbolise
our union. The vicar explained that the candle should
be lit on each anniversary thereafter to help us remember
the vows we had exchanged on our wedding day. It was a
very personal and spiritual moment for the both of us.
This was then followed by our chosen reading; The First
Letter of John Chapter 4, verses 7 -16 which was read
by my closest friend, Rachel Tarrant, who really did us
proud, reading in a very composed manner.
After the register had been signed, Alan and I made our
way back down the aisle amid a sea of flashes from cameras
to The Wedding
March from a Midsummer Night's Dream by Mendelssohn.
Once outside the church our guests greeted us with words
of encouragement and praise, it was a glorious moment.
Soon all the photographs at the church had been taken
and it was time to make our way to our reception. At the
church gates we were engulfed in confetti as our fun loving
guest threw thousands of pieces of teddy bear shaped confetti
at us, with one friend planting some down the front of
my dress, telling Alan that was for later! It was brilliant!
 After some negotiating my dress into the car,
we made our first journey as husband and wife to the reception
venue, the Hotel Miramar on Bournemouth's East Cliff.
During the ten mile journey passers by hooted their horns
and shouted words of congratulations, it was like being
a superstar!
Once at the hotel the guests were greeted with champagne
and canapés whilst more photographs were taken.
Soon it was time to go in for the wedding breakfast and
we greeted our guests in a traditional line up. We sat
down to a feast of a cocktail of melon balls, orange,
grapefruit and grapes in a Curacao liqueur, followed by
cream of vegetable soup, with Roast leg of lamb served
with a minted Hollandaise sauce and all the trimmings,
and lime soufflé to finish! Yum!
It was then time to cut the cake, which had been expertly
made by my auntie Jacquie. It was petal shaped and composed
of four tiers with peach roses as decoration with a Cherished
Teddies bride and groom as the topper!
It was then time to be entertained by the speeches. My
dad went first relaying stories of me as a little girl
and wished us well for the future. Then it was Alan's
turn. It was lovely, he told everyone how much he loved
me and how beautiful he thought I looked as he quoted
a passage from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing which
summed up his feelings wonderfully! Neil Phillips, Alan's
best man went next, with numerous references to Star Wars
and Alan's ability to teach the finer points of Human
Biology! During this speech he proudly announced a second
wedding, that between my favourite teddy George and Alan's
Princess Leia doll! Well it is surprising what you keep
from your childhood!
It was soon time to clear the room in anticipation of
the evening do, Alan and I welcomed our evening guests
and got the dancing off to a fine start with our first
dance; Finally Found by the Honeyz. The evening
whizzed by with the grand finale being Congratulations
by Sir Cliff! as our guests formed an arch and Alan and
I made our way through to the end kisses everyone as we
went! It was a lovely touch as it meant had the chance
to thank everyone for coming!
As our guests departed Alan and I made our way to the
honeymoon suite, need I say more! The next morning we
went off on our honeymoon, where we stayed at the Bosworth
Hall Hotel in Market Bosworth for two nights before jetting
off in true honeymoon style to spend 14 blissful days
touring the Hawaiian Islands!
Do Differently: Nothing, the day was perfect!
Groom's Comments: The most special part of the day
for me was the wedding ceremony. I knew Donna would look
beautiful but nothing could have prepared me fully for
how stunning she looked. I surprised myelf that I actually
survived the ceremnoy without crying. I still find it
amazing that Donna consented to marrying me and that after
months of waiting Donna changed from my fiancee to wife
within a few short sentences. I enjoyed the day so much
but it went so quickly. |
If
you would like to contact Donna and Alan, you can e-mail
them.
|
