We got Married!

So, I got married! The day was absolutely amazing, hopefully it’s clear from the photos that as well as being a beautiful day it was also a really funny, emotional, magical perfect day.

I’ll start with the night before. I spent the day before with my fiance and my mum, dropping off a few things at the venue and finishing a bit of hand lettering. I was so glad that I didn’t have lots of last minute DIY projects to complete, I deliberately had not given myself too much crafting to do so that I wouldn’t be stressed the day before. We went out for dinner at one of our favourite local restaurants The Step, where Alex had actually proposed, and had an early night, which was sheer bliss.

The next morning my mum and I had breakfast at my flat before getting a taxi to our hotel in Stoke Newington. When we arrived both my bridesmaids were there and Migle, my florist had just dropped off the flowers. I actually woke up feeling really ill on the day of the wedding. I’ve had a cold about a month before and due to stress and overwork I haven’t been able to fight it off, so it had turned into a sinus infection. Fortunately paracetamol, concealer and adrenaline got me through the day. I’d only booked the photographer for a half day so my bridesmaids got few photos up with getting ready. I love these photos, they are so personal and intimate. I did my own hair and make up, a decision I will blog about a bit later. Getting ready with my mum and bridesmaids was one of my favourite parts of the day.

We decided to do a first look, which I’m really really glad we did. It helped everything after the ceremony flow really smoothly, without the need to disappear for an hour to take lots of couple photos. It also helped my pre-wedding nerves, although I was still absolutely terrified walking down the aisle. 

Writing our own vows is something else and really glad we did. It made it so special and emotional. We also got my husband sister to do a reading from a Midsummer’s night dream, which was really beautiful. The ceremony was so beautiful and meaningful.

The weather was absolutely glorious that day, so after the ceremony we headed straight outside to the terrace for Pimms, canapes and confetti throwing. 

We managed to get a group of family photos done with the minimum of fuss, and then we will back chatting with our guests. The wedding took place in Clissold House in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington. Because it was such a gorgeous sunny day there were lots of people around, and that made it even more special. One of my favourite parts of the day was how happy everyone was for us and how many people came up to us to say congratulations. 

We eventually managed to drag everyone inside for dinner, cake, speeches and prosecco. Alex is a jazz musician, and his band serenaded us as we ate. I made a speech thanking everyone who had played a part in the wedding, and then we had the father of the bride speech and the best man speech, which were both hilarious. We finished with my husband’s speech, and I don’t think I was the only one who shed a tear. Time seemed to flow by very smoothly, there was no waiting or hanging around, but also no rushing or panicking. Just everything flowing very smoothly and everyone having a wonderful day. Everyone was magnetically drawn to the sunshine, with a pint or a Pimms in their hand. Before the light faded we regather for the first dance, under the arbour of fresh cherry blossom.