 "Today
is a very big day", my six-year old Dutch niece, Vera,
said to me in her best English on the morning of the wedding.
My sister had told her what to say and she dutifully came
downstairs and said it perfectly. I had stayed at my parent's
house the night before with my sister, Lisa, who was my
Matron of Honour and my bridesmaids, my best friend Helena
and Kenny's sister Sarah.
I slept surprisingly well and awoke at about 7am. I tiptoed
downstairs and watched TV. Vera came downstairs at about
7.30am and we watched 'The Lion King' together. I was
obviously feeling quite emotional already because I had
tears in my eyes during the sad bits! My Mum started waking
everyone else up at about 8am and we had breakfast of
Bucks Fizz, croissants and toast. We were all so calm
and relaxed, chatting about who was going to be evicted
next from Big Brother and other such issues - it could
have been another ordinary day!
After
breakfast we had a peek at the marquee outside. It had
been erected earlier in the week, and looked sensational
and so big...surely the garden wasn't that large!
Even the port-a-loos were spectacular - tastefully carpeted
with mahogany doors and fresh flowers hanging outside.
After breakfast we had a peek at the marquee outside.
It had been erected earlier in the week, and looked sensational
and so big...surely the garden wasn't that large! Even
the port-a-loos were spectacular - tastefully carpeted
with mahogany doors and fresh flowers hanging outside.
It was a hive of activity in the marquee with caterers
bringing in crates of food and other staff buzzing about,
setting up and decorating the tables.
We had chosen lilac, lavender and silver as our colour
scheme and the marquee was beautifully decorated with
these colours in mind. Lavender was scattered on the floor
of the marquee and the dance-floor so that its amazing
aroma wafted up when people walked on it.
 In
the garage, the florists had been working practically
all night to finish arranging the eye-catching fresh flower
decorations for the church and I
the marquee. My bouquet was simply beautiful - a shower
bouquet with white roses and a mixture of purple and lilac
flowers. The bridesmaids had delightful posies in similar
colours to mine and fresh flowers were wound around headbands
for the two little flower girls. The florists had also
placed lavish flower arrangements all the way up the drive,
which transformed the house into looking like an old English
stately manor.
I felt so humble and grateful that all these people were
working so hard to make things look so incredible - and
it was all for Kenny and me!
 Back
inside, things started to get going. My hairdresser had
arrived and she quickly put my hair in curlers, before
embarking on styling my bridesmaids, my mother and the
little flower girls' hair. Whilst waiting, we were each
hustled upstairs to have our make-up done. The photographer
arrived as we were sitting outside in the garden eating
sandwiches. He couldn't believe it. He said he'd never
seen so many calm, unflustered people just before a wedding
- especially the bride! It was all coming together, the
sun was shining gloriously, the bridesmaids' hair and
make-up looked great. We were on schedule.
Suddenly everything started to happen at once. As my hair
was being put up, the video man arrived along with the
horse and carriage - two beautiful white horses with lilac
ribbons in their manes.
The best man, Mark, arrived to take the buttonholes away
and assured me that Kenny was fine and that everything
was OK. The pageboys (my two nephews, Jo and Matt) also
arrived looking gorgeous. They had to be restrained from
chasing the two flower girls, Vera and Aylise, around
the garden as they were all in their finery, looking especially
cute and unusually clean!
With excitement mounting, the girls helped me into my
wedding dress. It was a beautiful white, taffeta strapless
gown with crystals on the bodice, a huge train and a cathedral
veil. All was going very well until I tried to put on
my shoe and my feet kept slipping out of them. After several
stressful attempts I decided that the stockings would
have to come off! My bridesmaids looked stunning, with
little lilac crystal tiaras in their hair matching their
lilac dresses. I was so proud and delighted to have them
all in my bridal party.
With one last brush of body shimmer, the tiara secured
and the veil down - it was time to go!
My Mum and I climbed into the carriage - not very easy
when you are wearing a huge dress! It was fantastic waving
to all the people in Ashtead village on the way to the
church.
 We
arrived at St Giles right on time. I met my Dad, who was
looking nervous, at the church doorway. .My bridesmaids
gave the dress one last 'fluff-out' and just as the vicar
finished the prayer, the butterflies started! The organ
struck up Te
Deum by Charpentier and I took once last deep breath
before the momentous walk down the aisle. I knew everyone
was looking around and I couldn't help smiling but my
eyes were transfixed on Kenny's back. He had told me that
he wouldn't look around, thinking that it would still
be bad luck to see me until I was right by his side. As
I reached him, he looked at me and a huge smile appeared
on his face. "You look beautiful," he whispered and it
felt lovely to be by his side again. He looked gorgeous,
his eyes sparkling with love and excitement.
The service was amazing. As we locked eyes to say our
vows, I instantly relaxed. The vicar was really calm and
friendly and made us all laugh by telling the odd joke.
After we were married, we remained holding hands and could
not stop smiling at each other. I felt so complete. Everyone
happily joined in the hymns, Immortal
Invisible God Only Wise, Hail
The Day That Sees Him Rise and Thine
Be The Glory. My Dad read an enchanting poem, which
had been specially written for us, and Christiaan, one
of Kenny's friends, read the biblical reading, 1 Corinthians
13. It was really touching to hear so many people say
later that they had enjoyed the ceremony and how in love
and devoted to one other we looked.
After the blessing, we walked into the vestry to sign
the register and we heard the harpist begin to play Pachebel's
Canon in
D Major. This brought a lump to Kenny's Dad's throat.
He had already looked emotional before he mentioned that
this was his favourite piece of music.
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, I felt unbelievably happy.
Kenny's Mum said that she hadn't seen her son smile so
broadly since he was a little boy!
 As
we proceeded back down the aisle to the Arrival
of the Queen of Sheba, I felt unbelievably happy.
Kenny's Mum said that she hadn't seen her son smile so
broadly since he was a little boy!
Once outside, we posed like celebrities for more photographs.
It was really good to finally see all our hard work come
to fruition with the bridesmaids and the ushers looking
so superb. Both Kenny and I also thought our parents looked
wonderful - proud smiles all round!
We then made our way to the horse and carriage through
a cloud of bubbles
and with everyone cheering us we set off. It felt great
sitting next to my husband in the carriage, waving and
grinning to everyone, with the horses clip-clopping through
the village.Trotting up the drive, we could hear the faint
sounds of jazz coming from the band. As we greeted our
guests in the line up, they could listen to the music
and enjoy pink champagne and canapés, so hopefully the
hour went quite quickly!
The weather started looking overcast, so the photographer
quickly took the last of the photographs. With perfect
timing, as the last guest went into the marquee for dinner,
the rain came down. The guests settled at their tables
and Mark announced the arrival of Mr & Mrs Kenny Beuden.
This caused an enormous cheer and we beamed as we took
our places at the top table.
 The
dinner was absolutely delicious. Whilst we were eating
we kept looking at our guests sitting around us. It looked
like they were having a super time and we were so enthralled
that our family and friends were there to celebrate our
day. I'm sure other brides will agree and sympathize when
I say that the day felt like a amazing dream and at times
I was totally bewildered by all the love and joy that
I was feeling and seeing around me. In fact, later in
the evening Kenny's Mum said I had looked like a "bemused
little princess" for most of the day!
Finally it was time for the speeches. My step-father,
Roger, stood up and gave a short speech as the host to
thank everyone for being there. My Mum then took the microphone
and gave a beautiful speech, which was both funny and
sincere. She, of course, had to mention how ugly I was
as a baby and how bad my singing voice was, much to everyone's
amusement and my embarrassment! At the end she explained
to the guests why we'd chosen Angels as our table names,
that Kenny and I consider ourselves as each other's guardian
and guiding angel. Lastly, as she asked Kenny to look
after "her little girl", her voice broke a bit and I had
tears in my eyes.
 Then
it was Kenny's turn. He gave a wonderful "off the cuff"
speech having decided to say what he genuinely felt at
that time. He started with saying "My wife and I...."
which got a huge round of applause and cheers. He then
went on to give out presents to our parents, ushers, the
best man and finally the bridesmaids and the little ones.
We were especially pleased with the cufflinks
we'd had made by WeddingGuideUK for the ushers. Each pair
was unique representing something of personal importance
to each usher. Kenny and Mark have been best friends since
they were three and Mark's gift was a framed collage of
pictures of them together throughout the years (with a
gap in the middle for a photograph of the best man and
groom!) Mark, who knew nothing of this, was absolutely
gob-smacked and welled up a little but he had to quickly
recover to make his speech.
The morning for the boys had been a totally different
story to mine and had been littered with mini disasters.
So Mark tore up his original speech and used what had
happened during that morning. It was a good decision as
his speech was so funny and original that everyone was
roaring with laughter.
With the speeches over we went and cut the fabulous cake.
It looked so pretty it was almost a shame to slice into
it.
Almost immediately, the band started up and Kenny and
I walked onto the dance floor to take our first dance
together, "Can't
Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli. As we danced
and sang quietly to each other, we noticed that everyone
was around us and singing the chorus. It felt fantastic.
We spent the rest of the evening trying to talk to as
many people as possible but all too soon it was time to
go as our limousine pulled up to take us away. This was
yet another surprise for me, as Kenny had booked the hotel
in secret. As we got into the car the band's trumpet player
followed us outside, like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, with
all the guests following him cheering and clapping. Our
last view was out of the back window, seeing all our family
and friends waving and cheering us goodbye as we drove
off to Hartwell House, a lovely English countryside hotel
in the outskirts of Aylesbury.
The next night we flew out from Heathrow to continue our
dream by spending two incredible weeks in Thailand.
Do Differently: Absolutely nothing!
Groom's Comments: Wow - what a day! I didn't think
that I would feel nervous at all. But as I sat at the
front of the church next to my best man waiting for the
entrance music to start I could do nothing about my heart-beat
speeding up and my hands becoming moist. But when I saw
Anna standing next to me, looking so beautiful that no
words or phrase would do her justice, I instantly relaxed.
The day was incredible. A better script could not have
been written. Surrounded by everybody that we love and
care for in the most amazing setting with good food, an
inexhaustible supply of drink and great music added up
to the most amazing atmosphere. I'd say that we did not
want the day to end but I don't think that we could have
taken much more in!
Comments: Please don't think I'm being creepy,
but I think Wedding Guide UK is a brilliant concept. I
found it very useful during what could have been quite
a stressful time. The Forum
was particularly useful, and I had a few queries sorted
out as well as making a couple of friends as well! Well
done and thank you. |
If
you would like to contact Anna and Kenny, you can e-mail
them.
|
