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I am a little nervous, because this morning I showcase the first part of my own Real Wedding! I feel excited, nostalgic, a little dry of mouth and hopeful that I will do the day justice! With some assistance from the wonderful David Lawson Studios, away we go…
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Alan and I got married on a sunny Saturday this October. Saturday 16 October 2010 to be precise, the day chosen for no other reason than it wasn’t half term (watching the honeymoon pennies) and it wasn’t summer. We wanted our wedding to stand out from the crowd! I have also always loved that “back to school” feeling, autumn colours, vibrant clear skies and the fact that everyone seems so much more up for a party in the run up to Christmas. And a party I wanted. A big one.
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My parents are hoteliers and this was the chance for them to draw on all their skills and experience to create something really special. As chief wedding planner, my Mum (Kate Smith of Brides Up North Wedding Planning Services) didn’t let me down!
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The crisp white letterpress invites from Letter Press of Cirencester had been sent (I crystallized each and every one myself with a tiny Swarovski crystal – its all in the detail!), RSVPs returned and counted, recounted, the table plan made, mounted and framed… it was time to get wed.
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First up, the ladies!
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So without further ado I give you a pre wedding photo shoot for the bride – that’s me! I just adore the camera, darlings….
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My wedding day shoes were by Gina. I bought and took back three pairs of heels before finding the perfect sparkly party shoes!
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My dress was a pale pink blush duchess satin gown by Alan Hannah from Heart of Durham. I am a big fan of musicals, so when I found out its “name” was All That Jazz, I had to have it (plus it was pink!)…
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Mum found her fabulous hat with the help of the fabulous Joel Alexander at Quills Millinery.
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Claire de Lune florist did all the blooms on the day, and understands the need for a strategically placed Swarovski crystal pin!
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My stylish bridesmaids rocked their Dune satin platforms!
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Oh la la!
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My wonderful best friend and Maid of Honour Jane got the job of doing up all those satin buttons! How many were they? We didn’t count!
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My wedding hair. Four trials down. Neither up, nor down. Perfect. Thanks to Rayna Hairdressing and Beauty!
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My pale blush pink veil was covered in hundreds of tiny crystals. We even sent it back for more!
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My lucky bridesmaids – hello girls! – each got a pair of grey freshwater pearl earrings from me, and a Lotto ticket, courtesy of my Dad! They wore slinky charcoal grey gowns by Alfred Angelo at Heart of Durham.
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Perfect blush pink sweet avalanche roses with eucalyptus for the bridesmaids, and I added white orchids to my bouquet.
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My jewellery was (whisper it) by Carat and I also wore an antique blush pink pearl ring that once belonged to my Mother-in-law’s grandmother….
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…my bracelet was a gift from my Mum for surviving my hen do! Barely.
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My flower girl Lili also wore Alfred Angelo from Heart of Durham, with a sash to match my wedding dress.
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Having a giggle practising the lifting of the veil with Jane…
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With my proud parents! They scrub up well!
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Dad getting in some last minute speech revision…
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…and wearing some beautiful silver 16.10.10. dated cufflinks that I bought as a gift for both him and Alan from Hersey Silversmiths via Not on the High Street.
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If you know me, you know there is always time for some bubbly! And off to the Chapel I go…
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Coming up later today…. let’s hear it for the boys… and one very nervous groom!
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All photographs by David Lawson Studios – thank you.
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David Lawson Studios is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your Real Wedding photographs
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