“I Do”, with the arrival of family & friends from across the Irish Sea needing collecting from Airports/boat terminals and placing in various spare rooms, hotel rooms and taken for last-minute suit fittings. Luckily, all planes/boats were running as planned and not one arrival was delayed - phew!
Before MrQ and I said our final single goodbye we chose to have an evening meal at The Hop Garden with all friends and relatives who had travelled from across the sea.
The night before the wedding was spent at The Sefton Hotel, with the bridal party enjoying the benefits of a hotel bar, live musician (the lovely Jim Wilson) and luxury accommodation. But before we could enjoy my last night of freedom, the bridal party had to get to grips with place settings, simple room decorations and seating plans. It was essential that this was completed the night before as the wedding ceremony took place at noon.
The morning of the wedding started early. About 5.30am, with a walk along Douglas promenade with my mum. I’ll never forget mum’s words of advice - “It’s not too late to change your mind” - scary thing is I think she was serious! In all the planning, not marrying MrQ had never even crossed my mind. He was then, and still is now, my best friend.
Back to the hotel & breakfast. I tried everything, cereal, yuk; toast, nope; poached eggs, definitely no; fruit… maybe. I was too excited to eat, but knew I needed to. All family and friends were happily tucking into a full breakfast.
We then had a mad dash to the perfectly named @utopia Hair salon, where a team of stylists prepared myself and the bridesmaids. This took a little longer than anticipated, as although I had been in for a trial, my sisters hadn’t and we hadn’t even discussed how they might have their hair.
The wedding itself started three days before Before MrQ and I said our final single goodbye we chose to have an evening meal at The Hop Garden with all friends and relatives who had travelled from across the sea.
The night before the wedding was spent at The Sefton Hotel, with the bridal party enjoying the benefits of a hotel bar, live musician (the lovely Jim Wilson) and luxury accommodation. But before we could enjoy my last night of freedom, the bridal party had to get to grips with place settings, simple room decorations and seating plans. It was essential that this was completed the night before as the wedding ceremony took place at noon.
The morning of the wedding started early. About 5.30am, with a walk along Douglas promenade with my mum. I’ll never forget mum’s words of advice - “It’s not too late to change your mind” - scary thing is I think she was serious! In all the planning, not marrying MrQ had never even crossed my mind. He was then, and still is now, my best friend.
Back to the hotel & breakfast. I tried everything, cereal, yuk; toast, nope; poached eggs, definitely no; fruit… maybe. I was too excited to eat, but knew I needed to. All family and friends were happily tucking into a full breakfast.
We then had a mad dash to the perfectly named @utopia Hair salon, where a team of stylists prepared myself and the bridesmaids. This took a little longer than anticipated, as although I had been in for a trial, my sisters hadn’t and we hadn’t even discussed how they might have their hair.
I knew exactly where MrQ was - he was in The Sefton Hotel bar, enjoying bacon baps and just enough beer to steady his nerves, but not so much that he couldn’t say his vows This is one of the benefits of having good “spies”.
For me, the most extravagant item at the wedding was flowers, including buttons holes, bouquet, bridesmaids flowers and centre pieces. This was the one area of the wedding that I knew I wouldn’t scrimp on. Our florist was the wonderful Della at Beautiful Blooms in Ballasalla. We ensured flowers were all delivered to the hotel. Including those for the Groom and Ushers. It’s far simpler for the florist to have all flowers delivered to one location.
After returning from the hairdressers it was time to get dressed (we really were on a very tight schedule). Make-up, bridesmaids dresses, wedding dresses, yes we were ready to go…. well almost, the Father of the Bride was still writing his speech!
Finally we left the hotel; Limo booked for bridesmaids, mothers of the bride, grandmother of the bride and ring bearer. Merc booked to take myself and FOB to Douglas Registry office. In the car ride FOB took a deep breath, hesitated and said: “what am I meant to be doing?” I giggled, relieved, and answered, “just walk with me and pass my hand to MrQ.”
I have since found out that we were 10 minutes late and MrQ was beginning to get a little concerned!
Tip No 4: Always ensure ushers have a list of important guests
We arrived at the registry office and entered the room. Jim Wilson, pianist from The Sefton, played Feels Like Home by Randy Newman as FOB and I walked up the isle to meet MrQ.
There was a warm feeling in walking into the room knowing every person was there because they cared for MrQ and I. However, looking at the photographs I have since realised that my step mother was seated within the crowd and not along the front row as she should have been. This is the lady who paid for my dress, bridesmaids dresses and has been apart of my life for longer than I can remember. She should have been next to my biological mother, not hidden near the back. During the planning stages it didn’t once occur to me to give a list of relatives to the Ushers to ensure these VIPs were looked after and seated accordingly.
The service itself was quick, and I am sorry to say, I really cannot remember much about it. This is not uncommon for brides/ grooms. The endorphins will get you through, make sure you say the right words, and then quickly wipe your memory as soon as it’s done.
I do know that we chose traditional vows rather than trying to write our own. Writing our own seemed unnecessary when the traditional vows said everything we needed them too.
After the ‘I do’, signing of the register and posing for photographs, we were shuffled outside where confetti was thrown, congratulations were said and tears were dried.
We now had a dash to get all the guests to the beautiful, but small, St Adamnan’s Church, in Lonan.
Family members had to be allocated to empty seats in cars, and directions had to be given to guests unsure of the church’s location.
For us, we were happy for a registry civil wedding, but we also wanted a blessing within a church and St Adamnan’s had a peaceful feel.
We arrived, guests were seated (or not in the case of the ushers, as St Adamnan’s in very small and we couldn’t all fit in!).
The blessing was very relaxed, with MrQ and I smiling throughout; no nerves, just joy. This was a much more personal service than the registry office, with a poem read from my sister (recipe for a marriage).
We chose to have the majority of photographs taken in the ground of St Adamnan’s (lucky that it was a dry day).
We had many photographs taken, but hadn’t thought about how cold our guests would be standing around waiting to be snapped. With hindsight, flasks of hot drinks and biscuits should have been purchased to keep guests warm whilst photographs were being taken.
Tip no 7: Always make a list of “must-have” photographs
Being on cloud nine, meant that I wasn’t aware of just how cold it actually was until a friend came to me to ask “are you not cold”? Looking around to see shivering guests I realised that although I was comfortable, my guests may not have been. Due to the cold we missed out on getting photographs with some family members. I highly recommend making a list of photographs that are essential and ensuring the photographer has a copy, and a dedicated member of the party to act as assistant to the photographer to ensure those required are gathered up and positioned as required.
It was at this point, with guests turning blue, we all started heading back to the Sefton for some well-earned alcoholic cocktails and to get the celebrations started!
Coming next on MrsQ blog, all the details of the reception, menu planning, centrepieces, tables settings, and how to end the night.