 The
clock read 5:30am, I knew I would never get back to sleep,
I was too excited.
My parents and my sister Anna (bridesmaid 1) were awake
too. I looked out of the window, the weather was miserable!
I went to the hall to collect the table decorations from
Mary, our flower lady. The hall looked lovely, all the
balloons were up but the weather was still miserable!
We made a start on my manicure and my make-up at 10:45,
then Steve's sister Alison (bridesmaid 2) arrived. Mum
and Alison then went to the hairdressers. Everyone was
fussing around me but I was still relaxed although very
excited. The weather was still miserable!
My cousins, our ushers, and their parents arrived to collect
the order-of-service. Then my best friend Shell arrived
(bridesmaid 3) followed by bridesmaids 4, 5 and 6 (Ellie,
Lizzy and Sarah). Our house by this time was very crowded
and the weather was still miserable!
When the photographer arrived, mum and I rushed upstairs
to get dressed. Finally we were ready and went downstairs.
As I stepped into the garden the sky lit up, it was magical.
At 2:45 the bridesmaids left for the church, three of
them with their mum and dad, the other three with my mum
in a friend's Jaguar.
 I just wanted to savour
that moment. Such peace as Dad and I watched them leave.
We had a few minutes together and then climbed into the
cream Armstrong Sidley and made our way to the church.
I don’t remember much of the service. Looking back
at the video it took forever, but it flew by on the day!
I remember the ‘Arrival
of the Queen of Sheba’. The organist made a complete
shambles of it!
Photographs were taken in the gardens behind the church
and the sun kept shining!
 The reception
went very well. Three embarrassed men said their speeches
but they all sounded very good! Looking back, I wish I
knew what we were saying during the first dance because
on the video we were talking most of the way through it!
Our car received the traditional decorations. Unfortunately
by the time we went outside, the shaving foam hearts looked
more like holly leaves!
Everyone had a wonderful time at the reception and we
left at about 10pm.
Then it happened - the big disaster of the day! I got
into the car (yes, I was sober before you ask - I don’t
drink as a rule, hmmm, except at hen nights!), started
the engine, waved goodbye, backed out of the parking space
and drove straight into the fence I was parked next to!
Anyway, at the house, more balloons, streamers and banners
decorated the place. Polystyrene had been posted through
the letter box, and there was rice in the bed - not a
sprinkle as you might expect, but a whole 2lb bag of it!
Do Differently: Not have Arrival of the Queen of
Sheba played at the church, not park next to a fence and
not stay up so late the night before! Other than those
points, the day went wonderfully. The video and the photos
came out great!
Groom's Comments: It was a very enjoyable and memorable
day. I'm glad Helen was so good at organising it!
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If
you would like to contact Helen and Steven, you can e-mail
them.
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