Mum and I set of to the beauticians to meet my sister Lisa (chief bridesmaid) at 10am where we were all pampered and fussed over. Mum left first as she had to be back at the house for the florist, leaving Lisa and I behind. Once we were both fully made-up (and looking lovely) we waited outside for my dad to pick us up. After ten minutes of waiting and a couple of cigarettes he still hadn't shown up. I was panicking and it was finally sinking in that in 3.5 hours I was getting married. I made a hurried phone call to Dan at home, but was barred from speaking to him by his ushers. After making some excuse about needing to check something with him I was allowed a few words. Although we had been together only the day before it felt like an eternity (I know it sounds soppy!) Once I had spoken to him, I knew I'd be alright and started to get excited as he said to me 'I'll see you at the Church - don't be late'!

When we got back to the house (dad finally showed up), the hairdresser had finished my mum's hair and made a start on Lisa's, so I could go and have a nicotine break in the garden. Then the other bridesmaids started to arrive -Del, Karen and Joanne, one by one, with hair and makeup perfectly styled - looking somewhat underdressed in their jeans and T-shirts. Del bought a bottle of bubbly and we all adjourned to the garden for a couple of glasses and more cigarettes.

As the bridesmaids started to get ready, I entertained my two nieces (Jemma and Aimee), who were my flowergirls until the photographer arrived and started taking shots of everyone rushing around. It was around 1:30 when I realised that everyone was ready and I was still in my jeans and trainers looking strange as I had my veil and tiara and a full face of wedding makeup! At this point I was still feeling slightly detached from it all, like it was a practice or just another of the many dreams I had been having in the build up to the big day. As I made my way upstairs, I glanced into the dining room and could see my dad and my younger brother.

They were both ready in their morning suits and my dad was helping Darren to tie his cravat, they both looked so handsome and I was really proud - all this was for me and this was only just the beginning.

Good job I had so many bridesmaids, as it took all of us to carry my dress downstairs for me to start getting ready. My dress was just what I'd always dreamed it would be, a huge tulle skirt with cathedral train with crystal daisies on the skirt and the same crystal detail on the bodice with spaghetti straps and a matching tiara and veil. We had managed to keep the dress a secret from my dad and as my sister helped me into it and fastened me up, we shouted to dad that he was finally allowed to see it. One of the bridesmaids ushered dad into the dining room with his eyes firmly shut. Nervously I said "Ready now, you can open your eyes." I'll never forget the way he looked at me. He looked so proud and happy although I could see part of him was wondering where his little girl had gone and why his time with her had flown by so quickly. Tears welled up in his eyes and he was quickly joined by everyone in the room. I have always been very close to my family and this was a moment that I will always cherish, having everyone I love standing by me on the biggest day of my life. Just looking round, I saw my sister was playing with the girls, the other three older bridesmaids were all getting on well and my mum and dad were sharing a kiss in the kitchen - even my brother had a big grin ready for me - quite an achievement for a 13 year old who has just been told he can't wear his new trainers with this wedding suit!!

The cars arrived (albeit late) and the girls and my mum were whisked off to the church. Minutes later our car arrived and both my dad and brother helped me into the car, as neighbours from my mum's street, who had known me all my life came out to wave us off. The trip to the church was only five minutes although we were unable to get across the main road as no one would give way. I could see the photographer and some of the guests milling around the church yard and kept imagining having to jump out of the car at the traffic lights and walk the rest of the way to the church. After what seemed like forever (but was only a few minutes), we were outside the church and being helped out of the car. Dan's ushers were waiting outside and gave out a huge wolfwhistle when they saw us arrive. I thought at least Dan, who was waiting in the church, would know that I had arrived.

The pictures that were taken outside the church look more like I'm being taken to an execution than my wedding. I remember asking someone to get me a glass of water and my sister was telling me to take deep breaths. It was then that I thought, why am I getting into such a state? I'm only going to meet Dan, who is a couple of paces away in the church, he's the man I love and the people watching are all friends and family - it's our day, the one we've been waiting for. Then I was ready.

We stood at the door and the music started. Dan's best friend and one of the ushers winked at me, and mouthed 'good luck', and we were off.

All I could make out was a sea of faces smiling at me and waving, people nudging their neighbours and mouthing 'look at her dress' - I was staring straight ahead as Dan stepped forward and waited. I stopped alongside him and he turned to see me. He looked more handsome than I'd ever seen him and his face was a picture. He just looked me up and down and said 'You look stunning', he couldn't take his eyes of me and mouthed the word 'Wow'. The service flew by and we stood in front of everyone saying our vows, singing the hymns as we held hands swinging them like 5year olds.

As we walked out of the church as Mr and Mrs Howard, with everyone shouting for our attention and smiling and throwing confetti - I thought, this is as good as it gets!!

The reception was a whirlwind, the speeches were both funny and touching, the meal was nice and informal with everyone going out into the gardens of the hotel between courses due to the brilliant weather. The flowergirls and pageboys ran around like crazy collecting all the balloons and looking at one point like they could take off if a big gust of wind came along. Both friends and family sat together laughing and joking and as I looked around, I found myself thinking once again - surely THIS is as good as it gets!

The evening reception was great fun, but with 300 hundred guests, it was also hard work, trying to greet everyone and then trying to find Danny when I needed him all proved to be very difficult. We both agreed to have 5 minutes to ourselves every couple of hours and headed off to the bridal suite for a quick glass of champagne, to swap stories and have a giggle on our own. When the DJ called us onto the dance floor for the first dance, we walked on together, feeling all eyes on us but only looking at each other. It had taken us months to decide on a suitable first dance song and we had finally decided on Paul Weller's You Do Something to Me. Dan put his arms around me and pulled me close. I closed my eyes and that's when we heard the opening chords to YMCA! Our friends had begged the DJ to play it as a joke. We both fell about laughing and started up our village people routine while everyone was doubled up laughing and taking pictures. Everyone said this really made the wedding our own as they were so used to hearing Whitney Houston or Bryan Adams played at weddings. Paul Weller followed and we resumed the position we had started earlier.

The rest of the night went by in a whirl! Dancing with friends, strutting my stuff with my dad, watching mum be the perfect hostess, looking lovely and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. All too soon we were surrounded by everyone singing 'New York, New York', while we were kicking up our heels and joining in, until everyone scrummed in on us both at the end of the song.

As we said goodnight and thank you to everyone and closed the door on the bridal suite - I looked at Dan, exhausted but happy and finally knew - yes, this is as good as it gets!


Do differently: Nothing, it was perfect
Groom's comments: Best day ever - Claire looked more beautiful than I had ever seen her and the day from start to finish was unbelievable. It was definitely worth all the months of earache I got from Claire