Your East Anglian Wedding - Aug/Sep 2019 (Issue 38)

REAL WEDDINGS 43  Adam had a bespoke suit made, which fitted him like a glove. “He chose a style that he could wear again and jazzed it up with a waistcoat which had a lovely paisley pattern on the back. Comfort was important for both of us so, as Adam has classic rugby-player thighs, having trousers that fitted perfectly for the day was key to him feeling good,” says Katie. The groomsmen wore their own navy suits with light pink ties and Katie’s dad stood out in his army uniform. “My dad’s now retired but was able to wear one of the ceremonial uniforms which I really appreciated. We’re so proud of him and what he achieved during more than 35 years in the army, retiring as a major, that I really wanted to have pictures of him in his uniform to show my children and grandchildren in the future,” she explains. THE PERSONAL TOUCHES “My dad’s friend from work collects vintage cars, and he kindly volunteered to drive me and the rest of the bridal party in shifts from my parent’s house to the ceremony. We were very lucky to be taken in a vintage Rolls-Royce, so we really got the royal treatment!” Her maid-of-honour and oldest friend Kat wrote a poem as a reading. “It brought tears to my eyes, and was so funny and personal to Adam and I that people mentioned it to me all night long.” It was also her grandparents’ golden wedding anniversary the same day. “They got a mention in the speeches, of course, and a special balloon at their seats to make up for us stealing their limelight,” adds Katie. “We both had our family dogs at the ceremony too; they’re such big part of all our lives that it didn’t seem right not to have them there. “Luckily, my aunt’s husband is an ice-cream man, so for the period between the ceremony and reception, while the photos were being taken, we treated our guests to ice-cream and prosecco. People loved it and it made for some great photos.” ALL IN THE DETAIL “The flowers were a priority for me. I wanted a big bouquet, so I went for a trailing design with different varieties that were meaningful to me; roses and freesias as they’re my favourites, thistle to represent my mum’s Scottish heritage and lavender as we were getting married in Norfolk. Emma at Em’s Stems really did an amazing job.” For the reception, The Rocket House outdid itself with the food. “I’ve honestly had so many people telling me, even some of the harder-to-please ones, that it was the best they’ve ever had at a wedding. I’m not surprised though, we knew the place was fab and they served local Norfolk lobster – how could it not be great!” raves Katie. The seating arrangement and table decorations were kept simple and guests were given mini brown paper lunch bags as favours. They included drinks vouchers for the bar, a chocolate crab each, made by the local chocolatier in Cromer, and special bibs for those that were having lobster. “People thought I was mad buying these, but everyone loved them. Think American deep-south diner plastic bibs with big lobsters on them!” Paracetamol tablets were also included. for the morning after. Rather than a fancy cake they went for a top cutting tier and French fancies. “It was a bit of a joke as our surname is French and they went down a treat,” adds Katie. TIME TO CELEBRATE “The Abyss Band was with us throughout the day. For the ceremony, we had some acoustic guitar playing for our entry and exit songs, and background music while guests were waiting. Then in the evening the full three-piece performed and played our first song live too – they were just fantastic!”