The day before the wedding had an almost dream like quality to it, everything was happening fast but at the same time it was going very slowly! In the morning my chief bridesmaid and closest girlfriend Ali drove in convoy with my mum over to the hotel to drop off goody bags for the kids, afternoon and evening favours and THE CAKE! My poor mum must have done about 5 miles an hour around all the twisty lanes to avoid damaging it! Ali and I then checked into the beauty salon with my one of my other bridesmaids, Natalie my cousin, for our manicures. When we came out some two hours later - Ali needed several falsies.

Some of the ushers had arrived at the hotel and we had a good giggle with them before dashing onto our next chore! This was the challenge of collecting all 9 morning suits from Moss Bros to drop off at mum's before the rehearsal, where the ushers would collect them from later. When I got home Simon was there with two presents for me, a new mobile phone, and a gorgeous sapphire and diamond heart pendant. I got very emotional and somehow managed to give him the fob watch I had chosen for him.

The rehearsal was the best fun you can have with your closest friends! I got into trouble for giggling and two of the ushers' girlfriends had to leave for the same reason! It was then off to Mum's, where everyone had a pizza takeaway and a final suit fitting. (Including a last minute dash to my Aunty Chris's to fetch some buttons to repair the best man's suit.) The lads finally left, dragging us with them to the hotel for a nightcap. Once we managed to escape we went home so that mum could paint my toenails blue, and I could have an early night.

Saturday the 12th of August dawned bright, hot and sunny. I know because I was up at five watching Sesame Street! Mum came and sat on the bed with a mug of tea and howled! (She wanted to get it out of the way early in the day.) I ate breakfast, although I don't know what I had, and we seemed to sit around for hours waiting to go to the hairdressers. Finally at 8.55 Ali came charging through the door - she'd promised to join us for breakfast as she only lives next door but only just made it in time to join our convoy to the hairdressers. We had a super time, being pampered and enjoyed a glass or two of bubbly provided by Ali. Some two hours later we were all curled and styled to perfection. We set off home looking like proper charlies in our shorts, shirts and tiaras!

After that, the time just flew by. As soon as we arrived home the flowers arrived, which were all absolutely glorious. My bouquet of Singapore orchids was divine as were the bridesmaids' roses. Little Sarah our flower girl arrived next and her floral hoop thrilled her to bits. Sarah's excitement was infectious and our own excitement grew to almost hysteria point!

The make-up artist Mel, a colleague of my Mums, arrived next and did a smashing job, making us all look groomed and gorgeous. (Thank you Mel for convincing Sarah that she did have a dab of Lipstick on!) Before we knew it we were into our dresses, and sorting out who was to get in which car. Our only minor crises had been me fastening mums state of the art magnetic corsage to the cooker by accident - and its subsequent refusal to budge, Sarah discovering you can bowl a floral hoop and it survives and Mum sending dad's button hole to the church without him. (Thanks to Poz the usher who retrieved it!)

The vintage cars were fantastic and I felt like royalty during the short drive to the church. We arrived much too early and were told to 'go for a jog in the park', by the vicar! However the time flew by and before I knew it the Organist was beginning to play 'The Prince of Denmark's march' and our motley crew made its way up the aisle. I have to confess. Although I knew Simon looked gorgeous, I couldn't actually see him clearly as I was too vain to wear my spectacles!

The service seemed to fly by. Saying our vows proved to be a choker for both of us but we managed them without shedding a tear. We sang three of our favourite hymns, 'One More step along the world I go', 'Colours of Day' and 'Lord for the years'. Two of our guests read our favourite readings for us, '1 Corinthians 13' and 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. During the signing of the register my brother's partner Anthea, sang the shaker melody, 'Simple Gifts' and an old love song called 'The Rose'. Simon and I left church to Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy', which seemed a very apt tune!.

Outside in the sunshine Simon and I seemed to acquire celebrity status and cameras were clicking all around us. The official photographer was very unobtrusive and took lots of different groups shots and romantic poses for us. None of the guests seemed bored and were glad of the chance to chat amongst themselves in the glorious sunshine! Again the time flew by and it was time for me to throw my bouquet. As I couldn't bear to see the orchids damaged the florist had created a beautiful posy of roses for me to throw. Ali rounded up all the eligible females and my cousin June caught it! (At 15 I think she may be pipped to the post on the marrying front!) Simon and I then left for the reception at the Moat House Hotel Shurdington. The driver was a star and took the longest route around the lanes so we had a few precious moments for each other.

As we arrived at the Moat House it was evident the party was in full swing! The Pimms reception was as we hoped very relaxed and Simon and I managed to grab a glass before being whisked off for a few more photos. We were shown to the banqueting suite which looked better than we could ever have imagined, the hotel florists had done the flowers in exactly the right shades of cream and green and the Thornton's single chocolate boxes looked smashing at each place setting. The children's places also looked very exciting with their goody bags perched tantalisingly on the chairs. As we only had five junior guests. We had shopped for each child individually. I am also glad we chose the coordinated Celtic place name cards as it finished off the look perfectly. Eventually we got to spend a small amount of time mingling with guests, before our banqueting manager called us to form the receiving line. It was lovely to have a large wedding but I would urge all brides-to-be to bear in mind all the hand shaking, hugging and kissing! Simon made Sarah's day by giving her a kiss - she rather likes him! After what seemed an age all the guests were seated…or so we thought! We were just about to make our entrance when a gaggle of my family burst into the room. They'd been enjoying the Pimms and sunshine so much that they had missed the receiving line.

Once they were seated, Lindsey, the banqueting manager flung open the doors and announced us as Mr and Mrs Lockhart! All the guests clapped as we went to our seats and for me that was the least enjoyable part of the day. We didn't have a clear space to walk directly to the top table so had to weave between guests, tables and chairs, all without my specs on! The meal was lovely and the staff all seemed to glide in and out in a very unobtrusive way, I had a slight wrangle with the headwaiter when he only gave me sponge cake because 'the fruit has nuts in'. The fruitcake had been specially created for me because I have a nut allergy.

Speeches came next; Dad was first and made us laugh and cry at the same time. Following this was Simon whose speech had been carefully written on hotel notepaper just 2 hours before the wedding! He said some lovely things that made me cry again. Stan our best man wrote a smashing speech that was funny and poignant and hit all the right notes. During the speeches we announced the winners of the 'best hat' and 'best waistcoat' competition we decided would encourage our guests to really get dressed up. Aunty Cath won the prize for the best hat in a stunning white and pink creation and Cousin Colin won the prize for his rather funky waistcoat. After the speeches Lindsey showed us all out into the public lounge and gardens while her staff arranged the banqueting suite ready for the evening reception. Simon and I escaped at that point to have 5 minutes on our own and for me to remove my veil and stockings. We returned sometime later in time to greet our evening guests, before being called on to the dance floor for our first dance.

The room looked totally different, the hotel had laid down a proper dance floor and arranged candle lit tables all around the edge of the room. I was thrilled, as it was what I really wanted but in all the rush had forgotten to ask! On the buffet table were two huge baskets of the personalised fortune cookies we had chosen as favours for the evening guests. We had picked a live band called Zero Hour as they could play a vast array of tunes! Our first dance was 'Time of my life' from Dirty Dancing' and Simon sang to me all the way through! The evening then got fully underway with everyone dancing most of the Night. The most magical day of our lives finished with all the guests dancing to 'New York, New York!'. Simon and I then left the party to the strains of Perfect Day, which I have to say it really was! We spent Sunday at the hotel with our guests then left on the Monday, to pack for our honeymoon. Then, on the following Thursday we flew off for two weeks in Florida.

All the months of agonising and planning finally paid off and everyone enjoyed every last minute of the day. Mum received load of thank you letters saying how carefully thought out the day was, and how much the guests had enjoyed themselves. This really was the icing on the cake!

Do Differently: Provide munchies during the drinks reception, and in the evening have the buffet put on several tables rather than just one. Otherwise it was simply perfect!

Groom's Comments: Nothing - it was a perfect day for him too