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A little before going full time with the wedding blog I received a Facebook message from an old school friend that really made my day (during what sometimes felt like uncertain times on unchartered waters!). It said:
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Hi Julia
Not sure if you remember me from high school? Just wanted to say I am getting married in 8 weeks (ARGH) and your website is FAB! I am totally addicted to it. You’ve provided me with loads of inspiration so THANK YOU and keep up the good work. Your site is a breath of fresh air to the stressed out bride(zilla)!
Davina xx.
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Davina lifted my spirits and made me feel that all the late nights hunched over the laptop and days spent campaigning for the Northern Revolution like a mad woman were worth it. It is my absolute pleasure to share her Real Wedding on these pages today, with beautiful images by Brides Up North Featured Supplier Sean Elliott Photography.
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Davina says: We got engaged on my birthday in Lake Garda. After ten years together I’d practically given up hope of ever being a Mrs. Mark gave me a watch for my birthday which totally threw me off the scent. We hired bikes from the hotel, had a lovely birthday lunch and then we were on a pier when he said ‘Shall we get married?’ I immediately said ‘Well you’ll have to get a ring!’ At which point he was on his knee with a beautiful ring. I was laughing and crying and then nearly crashed my bike on the way back looking at my sparkler.
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We were married on 30th July 2011 on Gibside Chapel. We didn’t want a traditional church and something a bit different from a hotel. It was perfect and made great pictures. We used to walk or dogs around Derwent and Mark had enquired about weddings there four years earlier. We were a bit stuck for the reception. We went for lunch at our favourite restaurant, and where Mark had taken me for a date years ago when suddenly it struck us, why not here? The restaurant were fab and did us proud. We had antipasti and garlic breads to start, pizza or pasta for main and tiramisu or ice cream for dessert. It was nice to keep the Italian feel, do something a bit different and incorporate somewhere special to us. We then had the evening reception at the Copthorne Hotel where we stayed.
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I looked in magazines and websites for ideas so knew I wanted something with a vintage feel. The colour scheme started off purple but ended up navy and pink.
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My dress was from Wedding Essentials in Newcastle. I knew even before we were engaged I wanted a Maggie Sottero dress. I had a nightmare at first not liking anything. The lady in the shop picked up ‘ the one’ I would never have picked it but as soon as I tried it on I loved it.
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I wanted the girls to be comfortable and not too bridesmaidy. I took Kate shopping and when she tried on a navy number from Coast I thought she looked lovely. Their shoes were from Monsoon and hair accessories from Accessorize.
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A friend I’d worked with was studying floristry provided the flowers at a very reasonable price. I met her and showed her some pictures from magazines and I was over the moon with the final product. My bouquet contained roses, freesias and peonies.
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My very favourite moment of the day was when the chapel doors opened and I saw Mark’s face. He just looked so happy. I’d been really really nervous and overwhelmed all morning and seeing him made me feel instantly calm. A good indicator I think.
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What really made the day special was all the borrowed items. I was adamant I wanted blue shoes, when I couldn’t find any my bridesmaid Kate’s mother lent me the most gorgeous pair of blue shoes. I also invested in a cheaper flat pair for the evening.
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My other bridesmaid Rebecca’s sister lent me her veil. My hair piece was my friend Anna’s. My friend and the wife of Simon who did a beautiful reading. My friend Jill did my hair. A mutual friend was our DJ. The girls and I made our invitations on the day of the Royal Wedding. Kate’s parents transported the bridal party to the chapel on the wedding day. My bridesmaids did a fab job making the order of service and place cards.
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All in all a real group effort!
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We provided mix ups as favours. We also did a Mark and Davina quiz at the restaurant which provided many laughs. We named our tables after local races we had ran together as we are both keen runners.
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The best man’s speech was brilliant, it had a running theme and Matthew presented us both with special medals which was a great touch.
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For the evening party we filled the room with photos of ourselves, our family and friends throughout the years, they provided many laughs.
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A friend had introduced me to the fantastic Pet Lamb Patisserie. They were so lovely during the whole process. We had cupcakes towers with lots of different flavours, a big hit!
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We loved Lake Garda so much we went back for our honeymoon (and we just went again for our first anniversary)!
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My top tip for other Brides Up North would be to do it your way and invite who you want to be there!
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Congratulations Davina & Mark! 
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Sean Elliott Photography
Sean Elliott Photography is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier, but this is not a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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