Andy & Karen Theresa Lewis 09/09/2009
For those who follow my blog (which I would be surprised has reached double figures) you will be aware of the trials and tribulations in the build up the wedding with crappy bridal shops and poor customer service but I would gladly suffer all that again if it could guarantee the fantastic day we ended up having! For those who have been married or are planning a wedding I am sure my previous entries have tickled you and struck a familiar chord as well as acting as a vent for my stress levels lol.
Andy and I were married on 9th September 2009 at Aldwark Manor in York at 12 noon. Yes the date was deliberate for 2 reasons; one – so Andy couldn’t forget the date lol and two – it was a Wednesday therefore cheaper!
The day overall went unbelievably well, the sun even came out and stayed out all day making our photographs truly incredible. – A special thanks to Stephen and Steve our Wedding Photographers.
On the morning, in accordance with tradition I was getting ready with the bridesmaid in another part of the hotel so we had hair and make-up artists giving us the pamper treatment from about 10am and my 4 bridesmaids and I all looked hot to trot. – Thanks to Kuki skin and beauty in York for their fab hair and makeup skills!
The wedding photographer arrived at 11am and snapped a few shots of Andy getting ready and “acting very calm” so people were reporting back to me. It was at this point I thought there was just me who was pensive and rigid with nerves! Even the photographer had to remind me to smile lol
Once I was in my dress I felt a million dollars although I was still “bricking it” lol my dad arrived to collect me and the registrar ran through what would be done in the ceremony and to this day I really don’t recall what she said to me lol
Walking down the stairs was an issue in the dress as I don’t think it was designed with practicality in mind – but I managed on my dad’s arm.
We reached the door to the room where the ceremony was taking place and a few deep breaths and the music started (Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen played on a string quartet) and we were walking.
I caught sight of Andy from the back with his arms folded and staring forward, he looked far from calm. When I reached him and he turned to look at me I saw tears in his eyes and thought to myself “well at least I am not as nervous as him!”
He looked at me and told me I looked beautiful and all my nerves disappeared, I held his hand tight while the registrar conducted the ceremony and watched Andy well up again when his sister Sarah did her reading.
With a few giggles along the way from Andy and myself when I managed to put his wedding ring on the wrong finger! We were officially married! It was amazing and I felt so happy. We turned to walk down the aisle and Andy practically ran – last bought of nerves I think – however it did mean we were out of the room within the first four bars of Heaven by Bryan Adams played (beautifully I presume) by the string quartet.
But then we were outside greeting everyone and it was just magical.
The rest of the day went so quickly with photos and gathering people for more photos but the sun was shining and everyone was as smiley as I was.
The wedding breakfast (which I now know is what they call the meal after the ceremony – not actually “breakfast” which I thought we had to buy everyone on top of their meal!!) we were announced as Mr & Mrs Lewis and entered the room to a round of applause from family and friends which was weird but fun!
My dad made a very lovely speech regaling tales of my childhood and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house lol
Andy’s best man Shaun made a speech which got some laughs and then we tucked into our food which was simply delicious and everyone commented on how lovely it was.
After the meal we had more photos but Andy and I managed to steal 5 minutes on our own to absorb what was going on and have a kiss and a cuddle.
For our first dance we chose Run by Leona Lewis (no relation lol) and Andy managed to actually dance!!! Well it looked more like he was shifting furniture but he did his best bless him.
After that it was all about the dance floor and doing the rounds to say hello to friends and family.
Everyone had a great time and a few comical moments occurred when dancing to the typical wedding songs such as Come on Eileen and The Cha Cha Slide to which people started doing some kind of dance off competition – very funny.
All in all I could not have asked for a more perfect day, it was incredible and it was such a shame it had to end.
All our family and friends have been amazing and I am over the moon I could have shared our special day with them – I truly had the time of my life!!!
A big thank you to all our guests, the amazing staff at Aldwark Manor (simply AMAZING!) and Stephen Quinn and Steve – our photographers who were incredible as the photos prove!
Check our our amazing wedding photos in my Gallery!