 Nick and I started
work together on the same day back in October ‘95
(although thankfully not in the same department!)
We were good friends from the start but it took ten months
for us to get together. Once we had, we were engaged within
six months and had set the date for 12th September, 1998.
The day before the wedding flew by in a whirl of packing,
finishing final touches and beauty treatments! That evening
I collected one of my bridesmaids from the station (she
flew in from Belgium) and we settled down for a relaxing
night with a pizza and a video. But it was not to be -
we were gate-crashed by our rather drunk best man, clutching
a bottle of champagne and with an apologetic groom behind
him!
On the morning of the wedding I sat in the hairdressers
and watched as it poured with rain. The wedding wasn’t
until 3pm so we were all keeping our fingers crossed.
When I got back to the house I thought there would be
lots of time to get ready at a relaxed pace but it sped
by. There was a constant stream of people in and out of
the house. My mum and dad turned up and they looked so
lovely that I was trying hard not to cry. When the flowers
arrived they were beautiful and that's when the tears
really started! Before I knew it the time was 1.30pm,
the photographer was due in 30 minutes and I was still
in my dressing gown!
 Miraculously by
2 o’clock my three bridesmaids and I were ready,
and the rain had stopped! I’d won the fight with
my dad for the last drops of brandy in the bottle so I
was feeling a little calmer, and as my aunt had done my
make up and was threatening me with all sorts if I smudged
it I was trying to keep my emotions in check!
We had some photographs taken at the house - the photographer
trying in vain to find a good spot amongst the holiday
washing and wedding presents, and then it was time to
go.
Just as I left the house it started to rain again but
the chauffeur and my uncle were in hand with umbrellas
to stop me from getting soggy.
We had to wait at the back of the church for a few minutes
as the vicar couldn’t find any matches to light the
candles! Then The
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba struck up and I was
walking up the aisle - a magnificent experience. I now
know why brides wear long dresses as it meant that nobody
saw my legs shaking uncontrollably as I stood at the front
of the church, but Nick looked so gorgeous in his suit
and was so calm through the vows that it helped me to
calm down too.
 The rain had cleared
by the time we came out of the church and the sun was
shining. We had some photos taken - including stopping
the traffic in both directions for the car shots - I felt
very important!! Then we left for the reception amid a
shower of confetti and bubbles.
The reception passed perfectly. The meal was excellent
- I was absolutely famished by that point, having been
able to manage only a slice of dry toast that morning.
Our menus were a real talking point - we got hold of photos
of all the guests, produced copies, stuck them over silver
card and laminated them. Each menu was table specific.
They were a real ice breaker for the tables where not
everybody knew everyone else.
 We cut the cake
and then it was time for the speeches. All three speeches
were brilliant - especially considering how nervous my
dad and my husband had been - my dad included some tips
from the 1950’s Good Wives guide on how to look after
my husband, which he knew I would appreciate!
The evening continued with a disco and our first dance
and Perfect Day (a
popular choice at the moment). We gave each couple a lottery
ticket as our bridal favour and the DJ read the numbers
out that evening. As far as we know nobody struck lucky
- or if they did, they haven’t told us!! By the end
of the night my hair was falling down, my shoes had been
chucked in a corner, and my face ached from grinning,
but it still all ended too soon!
Do Differently: Would change absolutely nothing
about the day - but I wouldn’t worry so much about
everything beforehand - it really does all turn out fine.
The title of our first dance says it all really!
Groom's Comments: Nicki looked stunning. My over
riding memories of the day are how quickly it all went
and how I couldn’t stop grinning the whole time!
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If
you would like to contact Nicki and Nick, you can e-mail
them.
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