After the 'no booking' policy of a new pizza restaurant we had planned to eat at proved to be a complete disaster the night before my wedding, the disruption of my plans sent me into a fit of panic. My bridesmaids arrived back at my parents' house, having picked up a take-away, to find me at the ironing board pressing their stoles in an attempt to calm myself down. I couldn't for the life of me work out why I had overreacted so much - over a pizza of all things! In retrospect, it was the first time it had occurred to me that this was all actually happening. I'd been such a control freak over all the plans and now I just had to let go and let the wedding run its course.

The rest of the night was really pleasant. I looked through the fantastic album of hen photos that Angela, my chief bridesmaid, had put together, a lasting testament to my single antics. We also had a mini pampering session on the floor of the living room. The girls all painted their nails in a matching colour and I indulged in a Clarins cleansing routine.

Angela and Katie went home and I had an emotional goodnight hug with my Mum when my parents went to bed. After another chat over a hot chocolate, I decided to turn in myself. After wishing Anna sweet dreams, Faye and I
sat up reminiscing about the good old days for an hour and a half. So much for my early night! It seemed so strange to be in my old room where we'd spent many a night nattering `till the early hours. Only this time it was different. My wedding dress, hanging from the wardrobe door, was a reminder that after tonight things would never be the same again.

I woke up before 6am the next day. The anticipation of the day's events was obviously enough to stir me. Tentatively, I sat up in bed and peered around the curtains of my bedroom window. I sighed with slight relief as I was greeted with a faint ray of early morning sunshine, peeking from behind a few fluffy white clouds.

After sneaking downstairs, I went into the garden for a few minutes to collect my thoughts. My Mum must have already been awake too because she came down to meet me and we managed to have a quiet, personal mother-daughter moment before the madness began.

We met Katie and Angela in the hairdressers at 9am and one by one were expertly coifed. During this time we shared a bottle of Champagne, which helped to set the mood. I had to be back home to have my make-up done by 11.15. I just about made it. When I looked in the mirror I hardly recognised myself- she'd done such a wonderful job.

It was then that the photographer arrived, followed by the videographers, and it all started spiralling! Anna and Angela hadn't got back from the hairdressers yet and we were all supposed to be dressed already! Sooner than I had time to realise they arrived, we were all dressed and I was having my veil and tiara secured by Caroline, who'd come round from the hairdressers especially. It was then that I had my first disappointment of the day. I heard the familiar sound of rain on the patio outside. I was so upset.

We posed for some photos before the guys left to set up at the church. I remember the first time I saw my Dad in his suit I felt a lump in my throat and I brimmed with pride at the sight of my Mum looking so fabulous in her outfit. The car arrived and first took the bridesmaids and then my Mum and Angela to the church. Suddenly it was strangely calm. I felt a wave of nerves come over me.

The journey to the church was so surreal. I remember staring out the window, desperate to take in everything as I passed. When we pulled up the most amazing sight greeted me. The bridesmaids were all stood there in a line of lilac. It was the first time I'd actually had time to take in how beautiful they looked. Paul and Steve, the Ushers, were standing by the two doors and my Mum was waiting for me next to George, the minister. The bright pink of the flowers and Mum's outfit stood out and co-ordinated perfectly. At last, I could see for myself, all our hard work was paying off right before my eyes.

The ceremony took forty-five minutes from start to finish, but if you'd have asked Kevin or I to guess how long it was we would have said it took no more than fifteen. It flew by in such a flash. I tried to take in people's faces as I came down the aisle to Pachelbel's Cannon. The one thing I remember though was looking at Kevin and seeing him look back with a tear in his eye.

I wobbled through the first hymn, "Morning Has Broken" and when it came to the declarations I found that my voice had disappeared. My Mum did a reading from Corinthians, followed by Anna who read "What Is Love", which I had found on the weddingguide web site. When it came to our vows it felt like we were completely alone. Kevin looked straight at me, his voice shaking with emotion. I had thought I would have such trouble trying to keep my composure but when I came to speak I just felt this huge beaming smile spread across my face. I couldn't help it, I just felt so elated. The beam did not leave my face for the rest of the day.

We sang the second hymn, "One More Step Along the World I Go", and then we signed the register to the tune of "Ave Maria". That was it, it was official! Our last hymn was "Give me Joy in my Heart". Then my Godmother stood up to do our last reading, "Blessing for a Marriage" by James Dillet Freeman. There wasn't a dry eye in the house; she said it with such genuine feeling for us both. We were so touched.

Before we knew it, George was shaking our hands and congratulating us, the organ struck up and we walked back down the aisle, as husband and wife, to "The Wedding March". I thought it couldn't get much better than this. When we got to the door, however, I had the most fantastic surprise. I heard the thump of the bass drum. Members of the Scout and Guide band I used to teach greeted us with a guard of honour and launched into a rendition of "Mechanised Infantry"! Until then I'd done so well holding it together but I was so overcome with emotion, I burst into tears on the spot - still with that inane grin on my face!

We posed for a few quick photographs outside. The rain had stopped and so we had a chance to mill around for a while and chat to the steady stream of guests coming out of the church. I couldn't believe how many people there were. I just hadn't taken it all in during the ceremony.

The journey to the reception venue was lovely. Kevin and I really enjoyed our first opportunity for a proper conversation that day. We made a convoy, with the bridesmaids and best man following behind. They'd covered their car with ribbons and lilac & silver balloons and were franticly waving out of the windows at all the people who turned to look at us. On the way through Bushy Park we met another wedding car coming the other way and we beeped and waved at the other bride and groom.

When we arrived at York House the rain had started to fall again and Kim, the photographer, warned me that we might have to take the rest of the photos inside. I was so upset but knew it couldn't be helped. By the time Kevin and I had greeted some of the guests and had a glass of Champagne however, the rain completely cleared away. We were able to have our photos taken on the beautiful grounds. I was so pleased! Kim was really good with our guests and they all felt at ease with him. While he was busy with us, our guests enjoyed more drinks and canapés on the terrace while the string trio played.

In no time at all it was time for the receiving line. This gave us another chance to thank everyone personally for coming, before they took their places in The Salon for the wedding breakfast. I hadn't had a chance to get a sneaky look at the decorations earlier in the afternoon, so when Graham, our toastmaster, announced us, the sight that awaited us took my breath away. The room was simply amazing. Erica, our florist, had done the most amazing job with all the flowers. It was everything I could have wished and more. The silver pots on the top table had pink rose petals sprinkled between them and the mantle piece had a huge spray of flowers on it. I had never seen such a beautiful cake in my life! I was thrilled to see how well all the little favours our Mums & I had made looked on the tables. My Brother had also done us proud with menus and place cards, which carried the same logo as our invitations and order of services.

The food was sublime! The service from the catering staff was very professional too. After the main course Graham did a countdown from ten before we cut the cake. The speeches were just fantastic. My Dad had always threatened to embarrass me and he lived up to his promise. He enlarged a selection of my baby photos and showed everybody!

After the speeches we went through into the Clarendon hall where another fantastic sight awaited us. The big round tables were scattered with metallic confetti and had gorgeous balloon displays on them. The purple scented candles flickered away and looked simply amazing. Everywhere I turned I was greeted with the smiling faces of so many of our friends and family. We were thrilled that they had all come to celebrate with us.

Before I knew it, our first dance was announced. We'd had a little practice before the wedding. Our song was slow to start with but when the tempo picked up our guests all cheered and clapped as we surprised them with our little routine. I felt like I was in "Dirty Dancing"! The party carried on until midnight and the dance floor was never empty. The bar was always full! We had such fun. All too soon it was time to leave.

I had planned to throw my bouquet but we couldn't find it anywhere! The DJ started playing our last dance song
and still no flowers. Our best man handed me a bridesmaid's posy just as we walked under the arch of hands, leading towards the door. Flowers in hand, we continued under the arch, with our guests wishing us well, while "One Love" by Bob Marley played. When we got to the door I threw the flowers over my head, straight into Angela's arms!

Our guests followed us out as we got into the car. It was covered in streamers and 'Just married' banners, so much so it felt like we were sitting in a spider's web. As we drove away to our first night hotel - a surprise arranged by Anna - I looked back through the car window at the crowd of all our friends and family waving back at us. They all looked so happy. I was absolutely shattered but utterly contented. Our wedding was a great success and this was only the start or our new lives together.

Do Differently: I wouldn't change a thing about my wedding day. If I could do it all again however, I would delegate the responsibility of looking after my bouquet. We later discovered somebody had taken it. They'd better hope I don't find out whom!

Groom's Comments: I had a great day, but it went so fast!! It was nice to see everything fall into place as the planning was very meticulous. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be, in fact my best man had more nerves than me!! I was proud to make public our feelings, and was relieved it all went so smoothly. Catherine looked fabulous and loads of people turned up to celebrate with us. They all seemed to really enjoy it. I have to admit it was a special
day.