Purple and Pearls

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We paused at the bottom of the stairs for a group photograph and for our guests to have the chance to dust us with confetti. These actually turned out to be my favourite set of photos. Everyone looks so happy it really does encompass the feeling of the whole day.

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We then headed to the top of the stairs where we were each handed a glass of Kir Royale and were able to greet our guests properly.  My drink barely touched the sides, partly because I was so thirsty and partly because I had far too much in my hands!  As well as my glass I was also trying to juggle my bouquet, our marriage certificate and a few lucky horseshoes I had kindly been given, all whilst trying to hug people.

Image Credit: Stott Weddings & Ian Jenkins

We had a few group photographs with parents and members of the wedding party before Has and I were whisked away to the marquee so we could see it set up before our guests. The room completely exceeded all my expectations. I hadn’t been able to do any of the set up myself, which initially disappointed me but the staff at Nailcote did such a wonderful job that I really didn’t mind. This was the first chance I had had to see the cupcakes and boy were they amazing! I seriously couldn’t not have wished for better. Sarah took every little detail I had told her about and created my dream cake. Has laughed at our exchange of emails where we would discuss whether the sugar hearts should be symmetrical or slightly pointy to one side, but the cakes looked so beautiful I’m glad Sarah was as detailed minded as me. I can not recommend Sarah and Blue Door Bakery enough!

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Our flower centrepieces also made the room. We had large Martini vases filled with crushed ice and a sunken purple light, with an arrangement of our wedding flowers on top. Everything looked perfect. Has commented to me that it looked better than he could ever have imagined, all our little details including the wine charms and chalkboard heart placecards were a complete success. I noticed quite a few of our guests use the placecards as necklaces and bracelets, and all of the charms were taken home at the end of the night. I’m so glad I made the extra effort to create these little extras for our guests.

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Our photographers Deborah and David then took us outside for a few alone shots. At the point my dress was so dirty but I really didn’t care. I stood in the doorway to Nailcote and looked down at my beautiful dress, the bottom of the skirt was lined with mud and the odd leaf but I’d given up trying to be precious. I knew deep down it would never be kept pristine so I didn’t worry about it.  I think other people were more concerned with keeping it clean than I was, every time I stepped outside there’d be people offering to help lift the dress from the floor.

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We walked around the grounds of Nailcote laughing and joking to ourselves whilst our picture was being taken, referring to each other as “Husband” and “Wife”.  When Deborah stopped shooting to adjust her lense, Has surprised me  by telling me he had a little gift. He pulled out of his pocket a Thomas Sabo charm for my bracelet. It was a silver heart with the words “Just Married” I was so surprised I hadn’t expected anything especially after he had given me my Tiffany necklace the night before but my Husband (!) is such a romantic!

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We felt spots of rain so before it got too heavy we finished up our photographs and moved back inside ready to do the receiving line. It was a great idea and I’m really glad we did it, I loved the fact that I was able to introduce my parents to friends I’d constantly spoken about in the run up to the wedding and it gave our guests the chance to be properly introduced to our wedding party. Of course it sparked some funny moments where by close friends would introduce themselves as someone different. Harriet’s alter-ego that day was Vera, she’s great and has a fab party piece with two LED tealights which I’m sure I’ll go into more detail about later!!

Once everyone was seated Has and I waited to be introduced into the room, our coordinator Carol gave us a glass of lemonade each as we waited for everyone to find their seats and settle down. We sat together for what felt like ages, I was really conscious that we were keeping everyone waiting, of course we weren’t at it was soon time for us to be announced into the room as Mr and Mrs S!

We walked into the room hand-in-hand, huge grins on our faces and took it all in. Everyone was smiling, clapping and cheering for us. I’m not one for being the centre of attention but to feel so much love and happiness from our family and friends was very overwhelming. Once we were seated I took the opportunity to have a really good look around and take everything in. I was overcome with emotion and love, I would honest suggest to any bride just to take several moments out of your day just to really absorb everything. The day is so huge it’s easy to forget the little things, I’m so glad I just stopped to acknowledge details like our nephews opening their gifts, or the tables clowning around with the disposable cameras we had left. The atmosphere in the room was great.

Our starter of smoked salmon and lime tartlet and the broccoli and stilton soup courses were served but due to a combination of a constricting dress and nerves for Has and my Dad who were worrying about their speeches I regrettably didn’t eat very much of it. We had decided for the sake of the speakers who wouldn’t be able to enjoy their meals we would break up the four courses with the speeches. So soon after the soup course was cleared away my Dad was invited to speak.

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My Dad’s speech was beautiful. It was really moving and funny too! He’d been concerned that he would struggle to hold it together through some parts of the speech and although his voice broke with emotion on a few occasions he couldn’t not have given me a more perfect speech. It was from the heart and I know our guests appreciated that. Towards the end of the speech my Dad presented me with a gift. For this to make sense I’ll need to tell you a little background. My parents, and the majority of my family are Aston Villa football fans. Has and his family are Birmingham City football fans, these two teams are huge rivals therefore I am somewhat caught in the middle. So as a compromise my Dad presented me with a half and half shirt that had my new name printed on the back, it was a great idea and caused everyone to applaud.

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Next up was my Husband. Has is naturally a very shy, quiet person so for him to get up and speak was a big deal. From the very first words he spoke his speech was a hit! He made subtle jokes including how we first met… “I’m sure most of you know how Laura and I first met, but I bet you didn’t know what her first words were… “Leave me alone!” His speech was heartfelt and he really did me proud. He thanked on our behalf our parents, our bridesmaids, the ushers, the best-men and various other people who had made massive contributions to our day. Everyone commented afterwards how wonderful his speech was and I was so proud of him.

Has: I had prepared my speech about 2 months before. As the groom it’s the equivalent of the bride walking down the aisle, all eyes would be on me, so I wanted to do the best I could. Even though I was well prepared and had been practicing quite a lot the week running up to the wedding I was still very nervous. However I needn’t have worried because after a couple of lines into the speech and a few laughs I realised everyone was with me and I became more confident the more I spoke. My only worry now was the best men speech!

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Then came the best-men. We knew from the off that this would be brutal! They had rang Has a few days before the wedding in hysterics because they hadn’t realised how much material they had on him… then they found this blog. Sorry Has!

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They had also set up a massive projector screen which showed Has in all stages of life and in various states of undress much to the disgust of Has! Their speech was a complete hit, I don’t think I have ever laughed so much, my stomach was aching by the end, it was fantastic! They ended their speech with a letter from the manager at Birmingham City Football Club. Taz began by reading the letter aloud which thanked Has for his years of continued support and then presented Has with a signed shirt. Has thinking that that was all they had in store for him relaxed somewhat until they told him that he would be leading the Birmingham City team out on to the pitch the next day. I don’t think I will ever forget the look on Has’ face. It was pure shock, I watched his face physically drop as the news sunk in. The speeches ended with massive applause and cheers as Has digested just what was being asked of him.

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Has: The night before the wedding my brother was running late as he had a few last minute surprises to sort out, I knew it was something to do with the speech and my first thought was “perhaps they have got me a signed Blues shirt!” I jokingly said to my mum “as long as they don’t make me mascot!” When they made the announcement that I would be walking out the team, I honestly couldn’t believe it, a 26 year old mascot walking out in front of 28,000 people! Even though I was terrified at the prospect when the moment came it was an incredible way to top off an amazing couple of days. The rest of their speech was brilliant and considering it was based around humiliating me, that is very high praise!

There was a short break after the speeches so I took the chance to have a quick walk around the tables to say hello to everyone before shooting back for my main course of chicken with sundried tomatoes and choritzo mouse. I barely touched it before I was back on my feet again mingling with guests making sure everyone enjoyed their meals. Our puddings arrived and I think I managed all of 3 spoonfuls before becoming full.

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Suzie, Hayley, Harriet, my Mom and me quietly disappeared upstairs to freshen up before our evening guests arrived. Luckily my dress had only a zipper on the back so I decided to slip out of it to give me some relief and to even visit the bathroom on my own! Harriet touched up my make up and I was soon being called downstairs again to say hello to guests arriving.