 The
day before the wedding was a bit of a mad rush around
Berkshire attempting to do a hundred things in the space
of a few hours. Finally, after dropping off everything
that was needed for the big day at The Copper Inn, we
said goodbye for the last time before getting married.
That evening I lazed about chatting with my Mum while
she tried on her outfit and new hat that she had bought
that day. Not to be outdone, my father decided to try
on his kilt that had arrived from Scotland, so by the
time my sister arrived there was a small fashion show
going on.
We all went out for a family meal, which was a lovely
way to relax after such a hectic day and even though I
thought I would never sleep I must have nodded off as
soon as my head hit the pillow.
The next morning I did not wake up until 7.30am, which
I thought was pretty late as I was expecting to wake up
at 5am like at Christmas. After speaking briefly to Mark,
twice, on the phone I had a bath and got dressed, remembering
to wear a shirt for the hairdressers.
While I was waiting for my matron of honour, Wendy, and
her husband (one of our ushers) to arrive for breakfast,
my sister and Dad decided to go for a walk as it was a
surprisingly glorious, if not cold, day for December.
After a hearty breakfast, we all left for Pangbourne,
while my parents promised to be at the hotel in plenty
of time and would remember to bring my wedding dress with
them. I had horrible visions of having to walk down the
aisle in just my underwear!
Once we arrived in Pangbourne we deposited Wendy's husband
in the hotel bar while she and I went to the hairdressers
to be transformed for the wedding. I was very impressed
with the end result and I started to feel like a bride.
We then went to the hotel where I found Mark's family
waiting to check in. Fortunately Mark was taking some
of his other relatives to another hotel at the time. I
had a quick nosey in the restaurant and almost burst into
tears as it was so perfect. The staff had managed to make
it look exactly as I wanted. Wendy then herded me up to
the bridal suite before Mark arrived at the hotel. The
first thing I saw when I entered the room was a huge bunch
of yellow roses, which Mark had organised along with the
other wedding presents he had already given me. This really
started me crying.
Fortunately the make up lady arrived at this point and
manage to transform my slightly red face into that of
a blushing bride. I kept pacing the room while Wendy was
having her make up done just like someone who had had
one Red Bull too many! The bridal suite overlooked the
main entrance to the hotel and it was fantastic seeing
all our family and friends arriving. By this time my parents
and my wedding dress had arrived, so I could breathe a
sigh of relief. Mark's cousin had made my dress and arrived
to dress me as my Dad delivered my flowers. Suddenly I
was a bride who was about to get married.
My Dad escorted me downstairs and as the doors to the
ceremony room had been closed the only people who could
see me were the hotel staff, our photographer, the toastmaster
and the registrar. After a few photographs I went into
a side room for my interview with the registrar and on
my return the bagpiper appeared and it was time to go
in.
 The
doors to the ceremony room were opened and the piper started
playing 'The Dark
Island'. He stepped to one side of the room and my
Dad and I walked up to where Mark was waiting. He looked
so handsome in his deep red velvet jacket, I almost cried!
I saw other people as I walked past but I must say that
I was focused on Mark.
I was wearing my cape to enter, which I took off when
I reached the top of the room. I gave it and my bouquet
of red roses and white flowers to Wendy and then joined
Mark at the ceremony table.
The registrar welcomed us to the Copper Inn and the ceremony
began.
A friend of Mark's read The
Art of a Good Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson followed
by, one of my close school friends reading 'Your Wedding
Day', and finally another of my old friends read The
Blessing of the Apaches. I was shaking as I said my
vows whereas Mark was so calm. Once the registrar declared
us husband and wife we kissed and our guests burst into
applause. We then signed the register and posed for numerous
photos.
Finally, the bagpiper started playing the 'Lewis
Bridal Song' and escorted Mark and myself out of the
ceremony room into the lounge, where we welcomed our guests
and actually managed to have a few sips of Bucks Fizz
before the photos began. We had wanted our photos to be
taken in the grounds of the hotel but the weather had
other ideas and began to rain. Instead, we had the majority
of the pictures taken in front of the Christmas tree at
the reception. Fortunately, though, the weather changed
long enough for us to have a few pictures taken outside.
We managed to chat with our guests before Mark and I received
them as they went into dinner. This gave us the opportunity
to say hello to everyone and thank them for coming. I
have never kissed so many people before! The toastmaster
announced us and we were escorted to the top table by
the piper playing 'Scotland
the Brave'.
I could not fault the hotel at all. The food was amazing,
the wine glasses were constantly topped up and it was
everything I had imagined it would be. The guests were
impressed with their name cards/favours. Each guest had
their own mini Christmas stocking with their name on it
and filled with little gifts. I was impressed that we
managed to get around to all the tables and talk to our
guests in between courses and many took pictures with
the disposable
cameras that were on the tables.
 We
then cut our cake, which was a challenge as the icing
was so hard. It was a two tiered Dark Belgian Chocolate
cake covered in white chocolate swirls. It had been decorated
in Christmas flowers with penguins decked out in our outfits
on the top.
The Champagne (proper Champagne!) was served and the speeches
began. My Dad was amusing. He had been on the Internet
and had conducted a virtual marriage for us, so presented
us with our virtual marriage certificate.
He had located some old toys of mine and also found an
old letter from my sister to him, written when she was
10, with a picture drawn of what she thought my boyfriend
at the time looked like.
We had about an hour before the evening barn dance began
so Mark and I sat and had a drink in the bar with some
of our friends and relatives. We then collected our wedding
accessories to take to the evening reception and walked
over to the local Working Men's Club, where it was being
held.When we arrived there were already some guests there
and a lot more arriving. The barn dance band had already
set up and the hall and buffet looked wonderful.
 The
caller of the barn dance band came to talk to us about
our first dance and we chose a dance called 'The Snowball'
which involved our friends and relatives with us as the
head couple. The caller of the band was so good that she
managed to get almost everyone up and dancing at some
point in the evening.
There was a great atmosphere for the whole evening and
it was brilliant to talk to people who we had not seen
in years. All too soon it was time to leave so our guests
formed an arch, which we went through saying goodbye.
We then walked back to the hotel and went to bed. We both
agreed that it was great day enjoyed by all.
Do Differently: Nothing...it was all perfect.
All the months of planning came together on the day. Two
words of advice: spend your money on the things you really
want on the day and not the things you think you should
have, shopping around before opting for the first thing
as you will definitely find that you will find it cheaper
elsewhere and, most importantly, I would advise everyone
to enjoy the day and take in as much as you can as it
flies past so fast.
Groom's Comments: When I saw my future wife coming
towards me, I realised at that point, that not only was
she an adorable bit of top totty, she was also an amazing
bit of classy totty as well! |
If you would like
to contact Gilly and Mark,
you can email them.
|
