tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22479495531171012902024-03-14T03:43:41.881+00:00he got down on one kneeAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-42537623584154154682015-02-18T12:26:00.002+00:002015-02-18T12:26:07.245+00:00<a blog="" claim="ps8sxsq8tws"" href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" http:="" www.bloglovin.com="">Follow">http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2293114/?claim=ps8sxsq8tws">Follow</a> my blog with BloglovinAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-21814338454788037092011-06-14T11:14:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:14:00.171+01:00And finally...For those of you who read <a href="http://hegotdownononeknee.blogspot.com/2010/03/camera-photo-and-paparazzi-chat.html">this post </a>and wondered what I decided to do...<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617999707729768994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yeixpGN6wZ8/Tfck9_97MiI/AAAAAAAAApk/o01wBHlXN9g/s400/Lemon%2Band%2BHoney.jpg" />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-56678917655088548612011-06-14T11:13:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:13:00.230+01:00The Reception and After Party<div align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">When the guests arrived they were greeted with a drinks reception with shortbread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyone was directed outside where tables and chairs had been arranged on the lawn for guests to enjoy the sun while we had our portraits taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617810660903059122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxePf0qepKU/TfZ5CBqHfrI/AAAAAAAAAi0/4UWTPaydhSg/s400/AJ437.jpg" /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(<a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php">Angel Photography</a>)</span><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">The meal was very traditional to suit the tastes of all our guests and the portions were extra large!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyone raved about the quality of the food and service and we were more than pleased with that.</span></p><br /><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">Later in the evening we had a live band, The Hootenannys, play a selection of favourites for 2 hours and then we had a DJ pump some dance tracks out until 1am and the dance floor was filled all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was another favourite part of the day for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"></span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617811798455502962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgmvCTuGsso/TfZ6EPXwSHI/AAAAAAAAAjE/BWQWtXvVSwQ/s400/226245_218355621509955_100000065562062_926735_7073854_n_filtered.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617811734955420130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_699SKXTug/TfZ6Ai0J6eI/AAAAAAAAAi8/WihojqhBcGE/s400/217252_218356931509824_100000065562062_926741_4098027_n_filtered.jpg" /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">The night ended at 3.30am in the residents' bar when Mr M and I retired to the bridal suite for some reflection.</span></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-75340942890728584212011-06-14T11:12:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:12:00.173+01:00The Speeches<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617813460292002722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AwnEfxKv16w/TfZ7k-Mc46I/AAAAAAAAAjU/EdolNjO6cfg/s400/AJ465.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617818729572927186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jFux4jYXy4/TfaAXry7BtI/AAAAAAAAAj8/AsEBI7um-FU/s400/AJ483.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617813805806816530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyflzmrzHL8/TfZ75FVmjRI/AAAAAAAAAjc/RrOis9CnI3g/s400/AJ484.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">The speeches to be honest are a bit of a blur to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At the time I thought our guests weren’t laughing at the jokes and were a bit bored but in hindsight I think I wasn’t able to hear properly because he were raised a little bit and also because I was in my own world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I look at the photos the photographer has taken, they seem hilarious so that is how I am going to remember them!</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php">Angel Photography</a>)</span></p></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-69162958339186904452011-06-14T11:11:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:11:00.168+01:00The Little Details<span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">I have to admit that I probably spent far more time, effort and worry on the smaller details than was necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most of this brain power was used to think of what to do and what would work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is lots of inspiration on the wedding blogs and sometimes it’s easy to think that you need to have all these extras to make it special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In reality though, what looks good at an outdoor, barnyard, sunny California wedding might not look good indoors in a hotel in rainy Northern Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You want to personalise your wedding but not make it look weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Will all those black card moustache holding brides look back in 20 years and think “What were we doing?”.</span><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">In the end we didn’t have a harpist, nor a string quartet, nor surprise opera singing waiters, nor caricaturists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I gathered up things I had at home – a birdcage, a gold crown, teacups and we put flowers in them, plain and simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And it looked just like a wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1rtg6Nglh8/TfaKKM4JXEI/AAAAAAAAAls/rt349lhoYVU/s1600/AJ099.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617829493051317314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1rtg6Nglh8/TfaKKM4JXEI/AAAAAAAAAls/rt349lhoYVU/s400/AJ099.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617821537126322450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXnOPcwKQOs/TfaC7Gv0ERI/AAAAAAAAAkU/OMtMifzZgt0/s400/AJ456.jpg" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNtQSvjhrAw/TfaJS2p1EDI/AAAAAAAAAlk/I2LL_1Ly90Q/s1600/AJ441.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617828542192881714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNtQSvjhrAw/TfaJS2p1EDI/AAAAAAAAAlk/I2LL_1Ly90Q/s400/AJ441.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617824336379347106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQHn0bzpEGc/TfaFeCxvgKI/AAAAAAAAAks/rcAH_r2SQMM/s400/AJ453.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617820053254899154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBYqTm5ghAk/TfaBku5TBdI/AAAAAAAAAkM/Z5hDecvaeHI/s400/AJ440.jpg" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mg2YBWXxR30/TfaI1QIaDeI/AAAAAAAAAlc/zFQ8xE9fgHQ/s1600/AJ444.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617828033635945954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mg2YBWXxR30/TfaI1QIaDeI/AAAAAAAAAlc/zFQ8xE9fgHQ/s400/AJ444.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617825605268106418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLGGHB09QXo/TfaGn5wZbLI/AAAAAAAAAk8/FRMyotA0QhA/s400/AJ454.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617823593011238722" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVCCAX23s2o/TfaEyxg-V0I/AAAAAAAAAkk/9M0GP-D4yMM/s400/AJ455.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617819590733399234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xeq_hbUNTdA/TfaBJz3lBMI/AAAAAAAAAkE/-mDprhK2EX4/s400/AJ436.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617826896108601666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsZyRXQUe14/TfaHzCgwQUI/AAAAAAAAAlM/jQMSjrG1Y0M/s400/AJ446.jpg" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4ZMCoB7XB4/TfaHMBu5x7I/AAAAAAAAAlE/7posxAJplrI/s1600/AJ451.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617826225884612530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4ZMCoB7XB4/TfaHMBu5x7I/AAAAAAAAAlE/7posxAJplrI/s400/AJ451.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span style="font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">Angel Photography</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span></span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-49288714349770052542011-06-14T11:10:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:10:00.103+01:00The Ceremony<span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">We married in my family church, deep in the Northern Irish countryside, which is also where my mum and dad married in 1977.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It has close links to family who have attended there for several generations and I couldn’t have imagined getting <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">married anywhere else</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our minister is a very liberal and modern Presbyterian (who knew there was such a thing!) and he made the service very special and relaxed for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617787236554247922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdxZ_WCHMu4/TfZjujKKDvI/AAAAAAAAAic/wZ7LRMZpbzA/s400/AJ126.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617991509350898354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G67izK0BEHs/TfcdgyoFWrI/AAAAAAAAAoU/Iger-0jLPX4/s400/AJ130.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">We asked a neighbour, a very talented pianist, to play at our wedding. Choosing the music was a real labour of love and in the end we chose Canon in D Major by Pachelbel to be played during my entrance and Mendelssohn's Wedding March on our exit. During the service we sang As The Deer Pants For the Water and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling and the piano was beautiful for both these hymns. While we were off signing the wedding licence and church's register the congregation enjoyed Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi, Loves Lifts Us Up Where We Belong and Moon River.</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617991934118606370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpqX94Vi3Vk/Tfcd5hAmNiI/AAAAAAAAAoc/PmbTh_KeFsU/s400/AJ134.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">Mr M's two sisters read during the service which meant that every member of our two families was involved directly in the wedding in some way. One read Psalm 100 and the other a poem, The Meaning of Love (unknown). </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">I was absolutely delighted when our guests burst into spontaneous applause when we were pronounced husband and wife and had our first kiss as a married couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was so happy and turned around to look at the congregation and give a cheeky smile of thanks and the photographer caught the moment afterwards when everyone was laughing and smiling and these are some of my favourite photos of the day.</span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBJxRFvOj9c/Tfcb-K_9pXI/AAAAAAAAAoM/peLttSrbxKo/s1600/AJ144.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617989815086458226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBJxRFvOj9c/Tfcb-K_9pXI/AAAAAAAAAoM/peLttSrbxKo/s400/AJ144.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39DfW3n5lkk/TfcbVEk42dI/AAAAAAAAAoE/R993V2ggbeA/s1600/AJ148.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617989108987648466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39DfW3n5lkk/TfcbVEk42dI/AAAAAAAAAoE/R993V2ggbeA/s400/AJ148.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrbwy8ExPzs/Tfca8NfKoiI/AAAAAAAAAn8/a-Ew6BLtbpc/s1600/AJ149.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617988681882837538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrbwy8ExPzs/Tfca8NfKoiI/AAAAAAAAAn8/a-Ew6BLtbpc/s400/AJ149.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-7zHC3-Cgs/TfcacnGJceI/AAAAAAAAAn0/RI0N50MinKw/s1600/AJ151.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617988139001410018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-7zHC3-Cgs/TfcacnGJceI/AAAAAAAAAn0/RI0N50MinKw/s400/AJ151.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">I didn't want to stop looking at Mr M and I wanted to soak up every moment of that ceremony, to try to imprint it on my mind so I would never forget how lovely it was to stand there with Mr M and promise to love each other forever.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6UrYWniMy4/TfcaBUcib2I/AAAAAAAAAns/QozVH-XbCSo/s1600/AJ155.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617987670138580834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6UrYWniMy4/TfcaBUcib2I/AAAAAAAAAns/QozVH-XbCSo/s400/AJ155.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617987198114485218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjEf8j_Ce-Q/TfcZl2BOU-I/AAAAAAAAAnk/Xu4IJLXY-HU/s400/AJ169.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">The ceremony was my favourite part of the day and I felt so relaxed, happy and confident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’d love to do that part all over again.</span></div></div></div></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">Angel Photography</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-72303677435957986972011-06-14T11:09:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:09:00.104+01:00Arriving at the church<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">When we were all ready to leave for the church we realised that the car for me and dad which had arrived really early had suddenly gone and there were no cars for us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(It turns out the limo got stuck up a lane after taking a wrong turn and had to be helped into a field to turn and do a 16-point turn out of the gate to get out.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That meant that we had a few minutes to take some photos ourselves before we left the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">On the way, we stopped off to visit my granny at her home who was too ill to come to the wedding. Her</span><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"> face was a picture when we went in to her bedroom, I'll never forget it. We had beautiful photos taken with her and I'll treasure these forever as she died just 6 weeks later on 9 June, Mr M's birthday. Of course we weren't to know at that stage they would be the last photographs taken of her.</span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">All back into the cars and off we headed to the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The driver told me I was beautiful and dooted the horn the whole way down the street in our local town so everyone was turning to look at us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I got really excited and any nervous butterflies I had in my stomach started slipping away.</span></p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m6hJ8WKsJ0A/TfcUXIeq7aI/AAAAAAAAAm0/Uf3QDe0EDN8/s1600/AJ111.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617981447813655970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m6hJ8WKsJ0A/TfcUXIeq7aI/AAAAAAAAAm0/Uf3QDe0EDN8/s400/AJ111.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvX7P0JUXXc/TfcTFx68S9I/AAAAAAAAAmk/St3MwPH_NeQ/s1600/AJ115.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617980050188815314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvX7P0JUXXc/TfcTFx68S9I/AAAAAAAAAmk/St3MwPH_NeQ/s400/AJ115.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617979591022878578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCXISFHYC8g/TfcSrDZQH3I/AAAAAAAAAmc/gqYWAB5YN_o/s400/AJ118.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0556xymgG2U/TfcSLv1mZnI/AAAAAAAAAmU/1k_syQAbJdc/s1600/AJ121.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617979053197125234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0556xymgG2U/TfcSLv1mZnI/AAAAAAAAAmU/1k_syQAbJdc/s400/AJ121.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pBFtsexRM4/TfcRoMFj3hI/AAAAAAAAAmM/KXgFAkQRRcA/s1600/AJ122.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617978442304970258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pBFtsexRM4/TfcRoMFj3hI/AAAAAAAAAmM/KXgFAkQRRcA/s400/AJ122.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">When the limo with the bridal party pulled up outside the church, the wedding car with Dad and I waited down the road just a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I seen some well wishers getting out of their cars and walking up through the gates to wait for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">Before going into the church </span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11;" >I stopped at the top of the steps and looked back at the people who had come to see me arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Our minister</span> was standing in the foyer and he asked was I ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I said I was and turned to ask the girls if they were ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He opened the other door and the clunk made some people look round and see me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I stood there for a moment looking at everyone from behind while our minister gave the nod to the pianist to play the entrance music. </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Book Antiqua', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11;" >I took a deep breath and off I went up the aisle.</span><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">Angel Photography</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span></span></p></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-18664269272224042172011-06-14T11:08:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:08:00.093+01:00The StationeryThe stationery was a real labour of love for me. I designed and made the invitations, table plan, place cards/menu cards, order of service, table numbers and the guest book.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617994225569602082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8wkZUBYXzs/Tfcf-5VFmiI/AAAAAAAAAos/3t8ca66GBdc/s400/IMG_6962.jpg" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tWqU4dMdcg/TfcjOC1mx3I/AAAAAAAAApc/T5RQ_q80Mgc/s1600/AJ455.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617997784354834290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tWqU4dMdcg/TfcjOC1mx3I/AAAAAAAAApc/T5RQ_q80Mgc/s400/AJ455.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSDsivvaOzQ/TfciwuwBURI/AAAAAAAAApU/ZWuQK6jU_Lw/s1600/AJ453.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617997280746492178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSDsivvaOzQ/TfciwuwBURI/AAAAAAAAApU/ZWuQK6jU_Lw/s400/AJ453.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDzMH8w8t34/TfciBGFbcCI/AAAAAAAAApM/y3_O5Bd-nWA/s1600/IMG_7422.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617996462376579106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDzMH8w8t34/TfciBGFbcCI/AAAAAAAAApM/y3_O5Bd-nWA/s400/IMG_7422.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StiyA9ENoss/TfchP3aH4JI/AAAAAAAAAo8/09L1qVuWMOc/s1600/IMG_7515_anonomised.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617995616623255698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StiyA9ENoss/TfchP3aH4JI/AAAAAAAAAo8/09L1qVuWMOc/s400/IMG_7515_anonomised.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-57956569817522103192011-06-14T11:07:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:07:00.093+01:00The Photographer<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LtsJzyp7S-Q/TfcY7Uj1gnI/AAAAAAAAAnc/MoZz5MbY56A/s1600/AJ312.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617986467578348146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LtsJzyp7S-Q/TfcY7Uj1gnI/AAAAAAAAAnc/MoZz5MbY56A/s400/AJ312.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xN7nBr7Ena4/TfcXt-enibI/AAAAAAAAAnM/8mi0VpOHFIs/s1600/AJ314.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617985138800953778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xN7nBr7Ena4/TfcXt-enibI/AAAAAAAAAnM/8mi0VpOHFIs/s400/AJ314.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBhZUiRcXZE/TfcXWa6eOGI/AAAAAAAAAnE/GH4RyT1nw0Y/s1600/AJ328.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617984734117116002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBhZUiRcXZE/TfcXWa6eOGI/AAAAAAAAAnE/GH4RyT1nw0Y/s400/AJ328.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPJ7SdtmaKg/TfcW8P9c0KI/AAAAAAAAAm8/nVNUx8BtGsM/s1600/AJ350.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617984284500218018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPJ7SdtmaKg/TfcW8P9c0KI/AAAAAAAAAm8/nVNUx8BtGsM/s400/AJ350.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">I couldn’t have been happier with our photographer, Andrea Morrissey of <a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php">Angel Photography</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was such a relaxed and soothing character to have around us, with no fuss while getting the job done at a pace we were happy with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">The end result is so much more than I could have hoped for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love every one of the photos she took for us and have looked at them around 40 times in just week or so since we got them.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php">Angel Photography</a>)</span></p></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-36881303293315170632011-06-14T11:06:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:06:00.831+01:00The Cars<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBRmuU2vgIc/Te_TRuzy0aI/AAAAAAAAAhs/qeyEqANNtDc/s1600/AJ106.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615939561930805666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBRmuU2vgIc/Te_TRuzy0aI/AAAAAAAAAhs/qeyEqANNtDc/s400/AJ106.jpg" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615940432148905362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSzgrYhcFSU/Te_UEYn9PZI/AAAAAAAAAh0/sqfFDtjSnlg/s400/AJ224.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">This was another thing that Mr M had very firm ideas on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was the car and all obstacles were unimportant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even the fact that I couldn’t get in or out of the car at the beginning was disregarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was to be the car and that was that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We overcame the obstacle of getting in and out by having a step made and when I look at the photos now I’m so glad we (ok, he) chose it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">We also had a black stretch Crysler limo for the bridal party, both hired from</span><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"> <a href="http://www.islandlimousinehire.com/">Island Limousines</a>, Coalisland</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php">Angel Photography</a>)</span></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-75784884272168320962011-06-14T11:05:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:05:00.373+01:00The Bridesmaids<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6AQCxiEkws/Te_XJlWXLEI/AAAAAAAAAiE/zIprIEVpNEU/s1600/AJ366.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615943819998997570" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6AQCxiEkws/Te_XJlWXLEI/AAAAAAAAAiE/zIprIEVpNEU/s400/AJ366.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtT2vMy0qXA/Te_WfWJ17VI/AAAAAAAAAh8/soA8DBP0UGk/s1600/AJ365.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615943094365449554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtT2vMy0qXA/Te_WfWJ17VI/AAAAAAAAAh8/soA8DBP0UGk/s400/AJ365.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">The bridesmaids were my sister and niece, who are actually mother and daughter although no-one ever believes that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nicola was quite young when Hayley was born and they are very close as a result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hayley is more like a sister to me than a niece and there was never any question that these two would be my girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their dresses were by Sophia Tolli from Chantilly Lace in Lurgan in Blush which, if any of you have been reading from the start of this blog, it was beginning to look pretty obvious that was my colour of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I thought it would be difficult to find the right dress in the right colour and may have to resort to having dresses made but I was very pleased with that we found.</span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">Angel Photography</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span></span></p></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-86800957427764252072011-06-14T11:04:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:04:00.352+01:00The Groom<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MXn4QzhiSg/Te_SSOPn3YI/AAAAAAAAAhk/4yj7EhC8uic/s1600/AJ311.jpg"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615937314472990994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZp1qxymTBA/Te_RO6YGGRI/AAAAAAAAAhU/42LmFP-tvnE/s400/AJ091.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615937869061208242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJqMMD8c8cE/Te_RvMYOuLI/AAAAAAAAAhc/4193kVr7y20/s400/AJ306.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615938470857399682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MXn4QzhiSg/Te_SSOPn3YI/AAAAAAAAAhk/4yj7EhC8uic/s400/AJ311.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">Mr M looked very hot. But that’s just my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><div></div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">He knew exactly what he was looking for in suits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We hired them from <a href="http://www.groomformalhire.com/">Groom Formal Hire </a>in Banbridge and the shoes were from River Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They looked great and complimented our colour scheme perfectly.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">Angel Photography</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span></span></p></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-34389996193027549132011-06-14T11:03:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:03:00.033+01:00Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue<strong><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"></span></strong><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IoZPVD637oU/Te_KpUoablI/AAAAAAAAAhM/WT1lVNfK84s/s1600/AJ007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615930071615958610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IoZPVD637oU/Te_KpUoablI/AAAAAAAAAhM/WT1lVNfK84s/s400/AJ007.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">Having spent a small fortune on my dress I felt that this suitably constituted my something new.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">The night before the wedding I still didn’t have something old, borrowed or blue and was beginning to despair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mum remembered an old charm bracelet she had from she was a teenager and she hunted it out to see if there was anything on there that would fit the bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I went through each charm one by one until I discovered a little birdcage with a blue bird perched inside and I knew it was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We decided that it would be lovely sewn onto the lace wrapped around my bouquet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unfortunately the little charm got lost somewhere on the day as it wasn’t on the bouquet when it was taken from the reception and my sister assumed that I had taken it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am still devastated to have lost it because it was so old and I never got to return it to mum, the loan outstanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-39749531401040602982011-06-14T11:02:00.003+01:002011-06-14T11:02:00.098+01:00The Flowers<span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">The flowers were a mixture of all my favourites with a country chic look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our florist was a friend of Mr M’s who was more amazingly talented than I had realised when I booked her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was delighted with what she came up with and was so proud of our flowers.</span><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617831042591512434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NunkkM7QXDo/TfaLkZXUV3I/AAAAAAAAAl0/2Sv6IMzj-Xg/s400/AJ024.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617831504034729218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jPfvarVl2Qs/TfaL_QX9DQI/AAAAAAAAAl8/jKfETITuyeg/s400/AJ026.jpg" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ai_lKtlN9Ew/TfaMaG56PPI/AAAAAAAAAmE/3HLzozI0J9A/s1600/AJ099.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617831965349264626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ai_lKtlN9Ew/TfaMaG56PPI/AAAAAAAAAmE/3HLzozI0J9A/s400/AJ099.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">Angel Photography</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span></span></p></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-34247052323634819352011-06-14T11:01:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:01:00.603+01:00The Dress and Accessories<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja7oBjaOj-Y/Te_IIjjbVfI/AAAAAAAAAhE/B9uCkCuJcf8/s1600/Dress.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5xsDNDJPtg/Te_FkF96m9I/AAAAAAAAAg8/cpXDZmdTtfs/s1600/DSC05778.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615924484222131154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5xsDNDJPtg/Te_FkF96m9I/AAAAAAAAAg8/cpXDZmdTtfs/s400/DSC05778.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615927309662639602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja7oBjaOj-Y/Te_IIjjbVfI/AAAAAAAAAhE/B9uCkCuJcf8/s400/Dress.jpg" /> <span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">Having thought I’d found the dress I would wear on my wedding day, I went to “one more shop”, <a href="http://www.joshuathomasbridal.co.uk/">Joshua Thomas Bridal Emporium </a>in Lurgan, just to be certain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As soon as I walked through the door the owner said she had an Amanda Wyatt dress perfect for my shape which, in fairness, isn’t always the easiest to complement.</span><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">When she brought it out I wasn’t certain – too satiny and a sort of “big girl” dress but I did like that it was plain and it had a certain timeless, classy elegance about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">As soon as I put it on I felt a million dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It done all the right things in all the right places and that was the decision made.</span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">I wanted to go for a modern chic vintage look and decided to customise the dress a little to make it mine (as a born crafter you just have to) and added a halter neck strap and a vintage brooch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I teamed it up with a birdcage veil, also from Amanda Wyatt which was designed for me at the bridal shop’s request and which has now been added to Amanda Wyatt’s collection of accessories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">I got great compliments all day about how I looked like a 1950s glam movie star which made me feel amazingly beautiful and special.</span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">For the reception I changed the headpiece to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/44448617">one bought </a></span><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">on Etsy.com from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Floralworld?ref=pr_shop_more">FloralWorld</a> which I loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">My shoes were called Jaynie from Brianna Leigh which I bought from shoebuy.com in the US which were just the right height for me and very comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">My bracelet was from Debenhams and my earrings were from Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;font-size:85%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">(all photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php">Angel Photography</a> apart from self-portrait)</span></span></p></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-39620164636218289592011-06-14T11:00:00.000+01:002011-06-14T11:00:05.573+01:00The make-up and hair<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615919980556437154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIhfRq6zbo8/Te_Bd8gVxqI/AAAAAAAAAgs/Iiqcq2tI2l0/s400/AJ037.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615920470696276962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsmuS0YX260/Te_B6eayM-I/AAAAAAAAAg0/ANZBt0PWF4Y/s400/AJ073.jpg" /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">We wanted our hair to look fairly relaxed, nothing too stiff but still look “done”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ciara and Grace at Petra’s House of Colour in Armagh done our hair in the salon on the morning where I also had my veil put on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ciara almost freaked out when I told her I planned on putting it on myself when I got home and so I had my brother drive it over to us so she could secure it properly!</span></p><br /><br /><div></div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">Our make-up was done by Stacey, director of SAK Designs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyone was to have their own look, to their own taste and Stacey was great fun and put us at ease all morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was really pleased with our make-up and it lasted all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><div></div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;">I wanted to accentuate my eyes with a little extra lash and some slick black liner for a glam look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(photos courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.angelni.com/home.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">Angel Photography</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span></span></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-10078263562459941502011-06-06T15:52:00.003+01:002011-06-06T15:55:46.842+01:00Coming soon...Today is two years from we got engaged. And I cant believe we are married and all at this stage. Mr M says we don't need to celebrate this anniversary any more given we are hitched but I think I might anyway. <br /><br />The official photographs have been delivered by our photographer and they are stunning if I do say so myself. I'm so so over-the-moon-can't-stop-looking-pleased with them :)<br /><br />So watch this space - now the photos are in, the details will be coming soon...Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-85803433571253276042011-05-17T13:10:00.003+01:002011-05-17T13:27:10.078+01:00Reader, I married him...Hi everyone, I'm now a married woman.<br /><br />The big day has come and gone and I have to say everything was perfect and everything I wanted it to be. I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing.<br /><br /><br />I'm planning to do full posts on all the details but for now, here's a few sneak peeks.<br /><br />Trust me, there will be more to come.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607658524652808290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3B3DX9zdnc/TdJnt6-fKGI/AAAAAAAAAgY/yDm_dLs-WXI/s400/5.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FIdeS7Xq6Ik/TdJntqyTDdI/AAAAAAAAAgI/gFZu6iM8V0M/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607658520306716114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FIdeS7Xq6Ik/TdJntqyTDdI/AAAAAAAAAgI/gFZu6iM8V0M/s400/2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyiy3iZ8Fmk/TdJntezu5kI/AAAAAAAAAgA/7mlbQ6xOszo/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607658517091509826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyiy3iZ8Fmk/TdJntezu5kI/AAAAAAAAAgA/7mlbQ6xOszo/s400/1.jpg" /></a></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-11306660109551903162011-04-12T14:11:00.008+01:002011-04-12T14:58:03.710+01:0015 days...<div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSaRLRuD6z8/TaRP4JMnxLI/AAAAAAAAAf4/XvwCy4bPVrg/s1600/Sarah%2BFyffe.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594684463061124274" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSaRLRuD6z8/TaRP4JMnxLI/AAAAAAAAAf4/XvwCy4bPVrg/s400/Sarah%2BFyffe.bmp" /></a><span xmlns=""><span style="color:#663366;">(Photo by Northern Ireland photographer </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sarahfyffe.com"><span style="color:#663366;">Sarah Fyffe </span></a><span style="color:#663366;">whose website can be found </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sarahfyffe.com"><span style="color:#663366;"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span style="color:#663366;">) </span><br /><p align="left"></p><br /><p align="left">As W day approaches everyone I meet asks me if I'm nervous. And that in itself is making me nervous. I don't think the nerves will hit me until the night before. I'm feeling lots of other things though – excited to see it all coming together, very sad to lose my surname but looking forward to practising a new signature, wishing my granny was still here with us to see me married, a little stressed when suppliers mix things up 2 weeks before amongst other things.</p><br /><p>The only thing that I am nervous about is how I will look. </p><br /><p>This week has been quite busy with a few added appointments that weren't planned when I last blogged. </p><br /><p>Hair trials... mine went well and I just have to decide whether I want an up or down style. Lots of factors to consider here: </p><br /><ul><br /><li>How it will look on the day </li><br /><li>How practical each will be </li><br /><li>How I will look in the photos afterwards </li><br /><li>Which will look best with my dress and hairpiece </li><br /><li>Which fits our theme of romantic vintage chic (please don't laugh). </li></ul><br /><p>One bridesmaid (14 year old niece with attitude) who I thought would be a nightmare to please was sorted in 10 minutes flat with a hairdo she would die for. The other (my sister) who is very laidback and will do whatever pleases me was another matter as nothing just seemed to look "right". We're still not sure what to do with her hair but she is easy to please and has found a photo of a 'do she likes so hopefully that will work out. </p><br /><p>St Tropez tan trial... Can I start by saying that I had a St Tropez spray tan done circa 10 years ago and had a reaction to it, upon which the beautician gave me my money back because she hadn't done a skin test but then it cleared up the next day and I loved it. All other tans I have tried in the meantime have looked too orange on me so I decided to have a skin test done to check if I would still be allergic to St Tropez spray (I'm fine with their Every Day lotion) which was clear. The day after the tan I woke up with a quite itchy rash all over my tummy, sides, chest, inside forearms and a beetroot red and puffy face. However believe it or not I am going to book this tan for W Day because after taking antihistamine it all settled down and I do think I was to blame for the red and puffy face because I look my make-up off just before the tan was applied. (Too vain to drive down the motorway with no make-up on. I know what you're thinking.) </p><br /><p>I love the colour and so I think it's worth the risk even though Mr M hit the roof when he seen me and I got a lecture about vanity, putting myself through hell, him not liking tan anyway and me looking fine without it. </p><br /><p>Meeting with photographer... Poor girl wasn't prepared for me, coming to her with my lists and 'inspirational wedding photos from online that would show what I love'. Thank goodness quite a few of hers were on there, which might saved me from getting a slap. This meeting that I was quite nervous about went well and I think I'll get on just fine with Andrea on the day. Mr M wasn't with me because he was on his stag do in Dublin where he lost his wallet with 160 euro to a pickpocket, wore a mankini (voluntarily) and came home yesterday at 6pm still full of the joys of Jägermeister. </p><br /><p>Meeting with pianist... We met at the church and we (ok I) decided that the whole ceremony will be done with the piano rather than the organ. Much more romantic I thought. Decisions were made on entrance song (with a little timing practice), hymns, interlude while we sign the register and exit song. </p><br /><p>Meeting with minister after church on Sunday... I chatted to our minister about having the piano played, asking permission to use classical music, substituting a bible reading for a poem and changing a hymn choice – all of which he agreed to and with a sincere hand on forearm gesture told me, "It's your service. You do what you want." He gave me a copy of the vows and we are to decide whether we want the long, "repeat after me" version or the short, "I do" version. </p><br /><p>The "getting ready" room at mum's house, which is my old bedroom but has had many uses since, seen a start to its redecoration and face lift. Happy with results so far though was closely monitored by my mum. I tried to reassure her that bigger doofises than us have managed to a paint a ceiling and not make a hash of it. </p><br /><p>It was a busy week. </p><br /><p>This week sees me: </p><br /><ul><br /><li>Making a start on printing Order of Service booklets and place cards, </li><br /><li>gathering final RSVPs, </li><br /><li>having a final hair colour and cut, </li><br /><li>finishing decorating the bedroom, </li><br /><li>making final payments to most suppliers, </li><br /><li>having my final fitting and </li><br /><li>giving final numbers to the venue. </li><br /><li>Finishing work on Friday for 1 whole month. </li></ul><br /><p>15 days to go and no "doin'" to date. </span></p></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-25672467030916726822011-03-30T14:20:00.002+01:002011-03-30T14:30:58.703+01:004 weeks to go...How on earth 8 weeks to go, got to 4 weeks to go I'll never know. I don't even know where to start to tell you what has been happening and what still has to be done but want you to know I'm still here. In some shape or form! All the invites have gone out and I've got great feedback on them which I'm so pleased about because really they have been my babies - 15 months in the making and tweaking. We've had dress fittings and I have fallen in love with my dress all over again. I did have some reservations about its niceness, its fit and how it fitted in with all the other elements of the day but when I seen it again and had it all pinned into the right places it was blissful. I'm so happy with how it looks. And I even got to customise it, something I've been thinking about for a long time. The next week will see me and the bridesmaids getting hair trials, me having a St Tropez spray tan skin test and a final meeting with our photographer. At the moment some of my extended family are threatening a "doin'". This entails being tied to a trailor with farming twine - nakedness being optional - and then driven around the nearby villages and countryside while people you know throw rotten concoctions at you. This could include rotten eggs, flour, manure, washing up liquid, dish water, custard. Basically anything that stinks. It may be just an Irish thing, but its supposed to mean that they love you. Definitely not my scene.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-53430036721401343212011-02-28T10:49:00.002+00:002011-02-28T10:49:40.177+00:008 weeks to go...With just over 8 weeks to go to the big day the “Done” items far outweigh the “To Do” on The List. I never thought I’d see that day. On Saturday I met our florist and it was there that it hit me - this is really happening! The last time I spoke to her I was very vague about something that was happening at some point in the future and on Saturday I had to make some more definite decisions and talk times for the day. She assured me that all the random bits and pieces I have gathered to personalise the wedding will indeed not look like a dog’s dinner which I have worried about in the past!<br /><br />Mr M is getting very nervous about the day itself. He assures me that he still wants to be married but is thinking about his speech and the fact that people will be looking at him all day. <br /><br />Funnily I haven’t had any nerves at all yet. I guess at this stage I’m still on autopilot, getting the organising done and my diary is filling up quickly with appointments and reminders. <br /><br />We still don’t have our rings and I my dress still hasn’t arrived, but apart from a few bits and pieces, most of the leg work is done. When I say my dress hasn’t arrived, it did but I sent it back because there was a flaw in the fabric so a new one had to be made. I’m not sure whether to stress about this or not. <br /><br />When mum and dad were helping my granda sort through my granny’s things they came across some of her jewellery, which granda gave to dad. In the box was a pair of pearl earrings and I am planning to wear this as my “something old” on the day to honour her since she won’t be there. <br /><br />So much is going on, I don’t know what to share with you all, so if you have any questions, please ask!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-90914154751959125602011-02-22T14:12:00.001+00:002011-02-22T14:13:20.269+00:00The fortnight from hell...Life around these parts has been tough of late.<br /><br />My poor granny died. She was getting treatment for cancer - her tumour had gone but the chemo continued. As far as I was concerned she was on the mend and had been transferred to a rehabilitation ward in another hospital so that she could get home and come in for outpatient chemo. Then a week later she died peacefully in her sleep after days of restlessness and morphine. I was her first grandchild to get married and she couldn’t wait.<br /><br />Our landlord, it turns out, had a dodgy mortgage and shouldn’t have been letting to us. Hence his bank found out and we were given one month’s notice to get out, 2 months before the big day. We gave ourselves two weeks to find somewhere and get out, to avoid having to pay another month’s rent. The wedding invitations are packed away at various stages of development and at this point in time it feels like they’ll never be finished. They are due out on 2 March.<br />We found out yesterday from neighbours that he had been visiting the house and letting himself in while we were out at work.<br /><br />Money concerns continue. Having to move house didn’t exactly help the situation. We are several thousand pounds short of what we need and I’m praying every night for a miracle.<br /><br />I had to attend court to support my sister who had to give evidence against an uncle who physically assaulted her last summer. That was so crap. And scary. We both dreaded it to the point of wanting to throw up for months. Any finally it is over. For us that is, not him. <br /><br />My car broke down and I was left stranded 50 miles from home. Luckily Mr M came to my rescue – he left work, drove the whole way there, jump started me and got me a part and installed it himself. I love him so much. <br /><br />I have high blood pressure. The practice nurse and GP feel I might need to go on blood pressure medication. You tell me – is it any wonder I have high blood pressure?<br /><br />I had a get together with friends which I thought would cheer me up but it ended up just making me feel boring and crap. Mr M tells me it’s because I’ve been under so much pressure and haven’t been able to be myself, that I’ve lost myself and I need to get back into my hobbies to feel Me. He tells me I’m funny and intriguing. To him anyway.<br /><br />And there you have it folks – the fortnight from hell.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-39648413049491063612011-01-31T15:04:00.000+00:002011-01-31T15:05:27.874+00:00The minister said “Ass”…Mr M and I have opted for a religious ceremony in my church which is also where my Mum and Dad got married in 1977. <br /><br />Neither of us are particularly religious but as I mentioned earlier Mr M is a traditionalist and I personally couldn’t imagine myself getting married anywhere but in church.<br /><br />Most Presbyterian ministers are very very strict in their views and I’ve known lots of couples who have been refused permission to marry in the church and have babies baptised, so I was prepared for an interrogation on our religious views, our living arrangements (and hence sleeping arrangements) and our enrolment in a pre-marriage course. <br /><br />Traditionally you meet with your minister at the Manse to discuss these issues and so after putting off the phone call, I built up the courage to contact my minister to arrange a meeting with him. Unexpectedly, he quite casually said “Some day after Church will do”. I couldn’t believe it!<br /><br />We met with him on Sunday after service (when there was a baby’s baptism and I got very emotional) and were so surprised by his laid-back and down to earth attitude. We felt very much at ease with him, although I already knew he was a lovely, friendly man I hadn’t needed his services personally before. We talked through what we would like and he told us what was normal practice. He told us what other couples had done and then said “But they did things ass about face”.<br /><br />Ass about face! I almost choked!<br /><br />We came away looking forward to having him marry us – a man who we could be relaxed with and happily share that special moment with.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-22483941687558099982011-01-27T12:48:00.000+00:002011-01-27T12:48:00.927+00:00Planning for Baby M...About 6 weeks after Mr M and I started dating we talked about marriage. I think we both knew right from the start that that was where it was heading. I had learnt from all my past relationships what the good and the bad things were to have in relationships and he had all the good ones. <br /><br />And so we coasted along knowing that it was going to happen, it was just a matter of when. The when became more of an issue when we both realised we were in our 30s and we needed to get a move on. Mr M really felt broody and longed for kiddies but we both wanted to be married before we opened that chapter. <br /><br />When Mr M popped the question the plan was that we wouldn’t have a very long engagement, the waiting had been done, and we wanted the babies quickly. <br /><br />There has been many a joke and comment that we will be having a honeymoon baby and Mr M encouraged it!<br /><br />Now that money is tight and we’ve had to take a loan to cover some of the cost of the wedding, it’s looking like we might have to postpone the baby making. (And that’s assuming that all would go smoothly anyway.)<br /><br />It seems very ironic that the one thing we needed in order to have babies – marriage – is now going to make us have to wait for them.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247949553117101290.post-9387138322982651912011-01-25T11:22:00.008+00:002011-01-25T15:11:13.914+00:00In the words of Simply Red, money's too tight to mention...We are now faced with the realisation that in the words of Simply Red, <em>money's too tight to mention</em>. With only a few things left to organise I am now re-evaluating what is really important and what we can get rid of. Otherwise there will have to be a postponement. <span style="font-size:85%;">And I really don't want that.</span><br /><br /><div>So... cake. </div><br /><div>In the beginning I didn't even want a cake - all that cake-cutting palaver seemed a bit of a nonsense to me and besides I don't even really like cake, but Mr M is a traditionalist (<span style="font-size:85%;">this is something new I learned about him through the planning process</span>) and insisted it did indeed have to be cut. We decided to get the cheapest cake we could get as long as there was one there, but then the old mentality of "if you are going to do it, do it right" came into play and all of a sudden I'm off having tasting sessions and commissioning sketches of bespoke cakes with very un-Irish double layers, like this... </div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566083779384723250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dxhrbToJHEM/TT6ztPxKRzI/AAAAAAAAAfU/3eHdyydYxSU/s400/pristine-cake.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p>which I just love. <span style="font-size:78%;">(credit unknown - if anyone knows, please let me know)</span><br /></p><br /><p>I went to see Julie and Linsey at the <a href="http://www.vanillacakecompany.com/">Vanilla Cake Company </a>and had such great fun I forgot I was potentially spending money. And the samples I requested (when I say samples, I mean huge whole cupcakes) were to die for - Zingy Lemon, White Chocolate and Raspberry and Chocolate Fudge Cake. I actually came away wishing I was their real life friend.</p><p>A few weeks later the sketches and prices came through and I got a bit excited. These girls really "got me", we were on the same page and it felt good. </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566085984866847410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dxhrbToJHEM/TT61tn1EyrI/AAAAAAAAAfc/8vL2Qr84xZo/s400/Cake%2Bsketches.png" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.vanillacakecompany.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Vanilla Cake Company</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">)<br /></span></p><br /><br /><p></p>The problem is that now I'm having to prioritise the spending, I'm faced with the possibility that I might not get any of these dream cakes. While they are by no means expensive in the grand scheme of wedding spending, and believe me I have seen less cake for a lot more £££, I have to ask myself, given I didn't want a cake in the first place, whether to just go for a Marks and Spencer cake which can also look great but isn't all that creative.<br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566103198644959394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dxhrbToJHEM/TT7FXmJl-KI/AAAAAAAAAfk/1AV5KZFo5Uk/s400/marks%2Band%2Bspencer%2Bcake%2Bconfetti%2Bforum.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(</span><a href="http://forums.confetti.co.uk/Forums/weddings_bride-groom_anyone-romantic-pearl-cakes-marks-spencer"><span style="font-size:78%;">photo credit</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">)</span><br /><br /></p><p></p><p>Any advice to offer a poor bride?</p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325846114001447090noreply@blogger.com2