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I thought it might be fun to meet some of you, well, Brides Up North, and see what you have planned for your big day. First up, Rachel, a lass from Leeds, Brides Up North’s first Bride to Be!
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Rachel, from Leeds
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Rachel says that she likes reading Brides Up North because “I love looking at other peoples
weddings – as a little girl I used to stand around outside churches whenever there was a wedding to see what the bride was wearing!. And I like that Brides Up North is regionalised so that if I see something I like I know that I can get hold of the supplier and meet with them.”
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Wise words indeed, even if she is a bit nosy! Let’s meet the lady herself…
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When did you and your husband to be meet? Tell Brides Up North your story…
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"Darren and I met at university in Lincoln. He was in the year above me and we had mutual friends. I was always told you would never meet the man you were going to marry in a nightclub but that was where me met for the very first time! I mentioned to a friend that I thought he was really cute, a while later we exchanged numbers and that was it. We saw each other in the library a few times and we both did some kind of weird hiding behind the bookshelf, choosing a computer furthest away from each other for a while. I didn’t think anything of it – just another university crush (you know the type!) – but then we started to spend a lot of time together and it just fell together during my un-official birthday night out dressed as army recruits!”
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When did you know it was love?
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”We’d already had my unofficial birthday night out at university because I’m a summer baby so everyone was always on holiday on my actual birthday, but for my real birthday that year we went to Paris. I’ve always had a bit of a love affair with the place, despite never actually going. Anyway it was during our weekend here that I realised how special he was to me and we had just the best time. So many in-jokes and so many special places – one moment that really stands out is when we were playing around doing ‘Hollywood kisses’ (you know when a guy takes his girl in his arms and leans into kiss her and her foot pops a bit at the bottom… like this). Anyway, that was the moment!”
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Rachel and Darren at university
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How did Darren propose? Tell Brides Up North about it…
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”We’d been together 4 1/2 years by this point and I think the ‘when are you getting married’ question was starting to drive us crazy. In December we booked a last minute holiday to Egypt for some winter sunshine. It was Darren’s birthday week and we just fancied doing something a bit different. The day of the proposal we’d arranged to go camel riding in the desert and do this star gazing trip where they show you all the constellations and planets etc. Little did I know that during this whole trip Darren was carrying around the engagement ring in a sock in his bag, panicking that he was going to lose it in the desert. I always wanted my proposal to be special between us and didn’t want a big audience. I didn’t want the big show of affection and everyone clapping and cheering – we’re just not that kind of couple! There was loads of people around all day on this trip so it didn’t happen. When we got back to the hotel we had dinner and then went for a drink in my favourite bar on the resort – it has a gorgeous balcony that overlooks the whole of our hotel complex and is beautiful. So I went to get drinks and came back to this silver box sat on the table. I was shaking and my first words were ‘what the hell is that?’ – romantic huh?! I’m not going to go into huge detail because, like I said, I like to keep that bit special and personal to us. I have never been more stunned in my life and I was shaking for the rest of evening – good shakes though!”
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Rachel and Darren just after he proposed in Egypt
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Do you have a wedding date?
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”We’re visiting wedding venues this very weekend actually! It’s looking like early July 2012. I’ve wanted to get married in 2012 for as long as I’ve known how old I’d be then so everything seems to be fitting in nicely with my life plan!”
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Do you have a venue yet?
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“We have a front-runner and a few back-ups. I’ve not actually seen my number one choice finished yet because last time I was there it was still being done up, but I’ve fallen in love with it already. When I saw the pictures I was so in love with it I think I actually held my breath for a little while – and that’s the kind of reaction you want I guess. Hopefully we’ll feel the same when we see it!”
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Have you found your wedding dress yet? If not, what sort of style do you fancy?
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”I’ve not been dress shopping yet as I’m hoping to lose a couple of pounds before I go and corset myself into one of those babies! I always thought I wanted a strapless dress but since I’ve been doing a bit of research I’m really liking the dresses with lace straps – that don’t really hold the dress up but seem to be there just for decoration. I love lace, I think it adds a classic touch to a dress that can’t be achieved any other way. So I’m keeping my options open!”
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Any other suppliers booked?
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Not as such. One of my friends is also a professional photographer and we have asked him if he’ll take the photos of our wedding. Neither of us are that great at having pictures taken so I think having someone we know do it would make us feel more comfortable. Plus, he knows what I like!! And he takes a good photo!
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Will you have a hen do? If so where? What would be your ideal way to spend it?
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”My sister is already onto that one – even though the date isn’t set! I’ve given her a list of ‘absolutely no-ways’ that she must follow but other than that I’m not really that concerned. I’m going to leave it up to her and my friends (I might regret saying that!). I’d love a spa day though and for everyone to stay together in one place so we can dance, chat and have a massive pyjama party – it sounds like something out of a movie.”
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What are your "must-haves" for your wedding day?
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”Our family and friends, amazing shoes, fairy lights, butterflies and sweets!”
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Where are you going on your honeymoon?
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“Not sure on the exact location yet, but we don’t want your traditional two weeks sitting on a beach somewhere. Although lovely, I think we’d both get a bit stir crazy. We are thinking about the USA – New York for a couple of days to do the big city. Then onto Florida for Disney World (I love anything Disney) and Universal Studios (Darren is a big film fan) and then spending a week chilling out. Think that would give us a bit of everything!”
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What is your biggest wish for married life?
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”We’ve had a few tough times with my health when I’ve been taken into hospital unexpectedly and Darren has always dealt with that amazingly. Even when we first got together, he was sitting next to my bed until midnight when they threw him out while I waited for an operation. So the ‘in sickness and health’ part of the vows will really mean something to us. I just hope that we can get through married life as healthy and as happy as possible – lots of laughter will do me just fine!”
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Congratulations Rachel and Darren! Come back and let us know how your plans are progressing soon!
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Would you like to feature as a Brides Up North Bride to Be? Contact me!
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