was just the added extra sparkle I needed.” Chris and his groomsmen also made sure they looked the part, heading to Newcastle’s Master Debonair for their wedding outfits. “Chris wore a Marc Darcy brown tweed suit with blue waistcoat and tan tie,” says Shelby. “It really fitted in well with the theme, while the rust colour on the shoulders and elbow gave it the ‘pop’ we were after. My dad and groomsmen wore the same style, but with tan waistcoats and blue ties; while my bridesmaids all got to choose their own dresses, as long as one wore sage, one wore Champagne, one wore rust, and one chose a mauve colour.” LET’S EAT! Great food and good drinks were an important part of the couple’s April celebrations, beginning with South Causey Inn’s wedding co-ordinator bringing in tequila shots before everyone walked down the aisle! “I must say it really calmed the nerves – I’ve never seen a happier group of ladies over a shot!” laughs Shelby. After the ceremony came reception drinks and canapés, before it was time for the guests to enjoy a delicious wedding breakfast. “We were very fortunate to be able to give all guests a choice between four starters, four main meals and four desserts, which went down a storm,” continues Shelby. “They could decide between prawn cocktail, vegetable soup, Cajun chicken strips and bruschetta, moving on to either beef, lamb, pork or chicken. The desserts were incredible, too, with Eton mess, chocolate brownie, raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake or a trio of desserts. For the evening we then opted for the world-tour buffet, which included homemade lasagne, burgers, chips, curry and much more – it was fab!” However, the food didn’t end there, as when it came to Shelby and Chris’s wedding cake it seemed not many could resist. “We chose a two-tier cake in sticky toffee and lemon flavours,” says the bride. “It was covered in white chocolate ganache and featured green and gold textured icing around the bottom. I’ve never tasted anything quite like it!” TEARS OF JOY Every couple’s wedding day is packed with emotion, with Shelby and Chris’s certainly no exception. “I was so nervous that I was actually sick a few times before the ceremony!” remembers the bride. “I was stressed about something going wrong, but I was also worried at the thought of it all being over too soon. We’d spent so much time planning that the idea of the day coming to an end was quite sad. My parents also shed a few tears when they saw me in my dress, which was hugely emotional for me. My dad never gets upset and is usually very reserved, so seeing him break down was so special to me. Chris was just the same. I’ve never really seen him cry apart from when Romee was born. To see him sob when our daughters and I walked down the aisle was a moment I’ll always cherish.” Tears well and truly over; the tissues were binned, and it was time to get the party started. “We hired an amazing singer, Christy McAllister, who sang all of our chosen songs perfectly,” continues Shelby. “We also had a magician, Stevo, to perform during the reception – he blew everyone’s minds with his incredible tricks! We even hired a saxophonist for three 30-minute sets throughout the evening. He had every single person up dancing – literally the entire wedding party! We’ll never forget seeing our two families come together on the dance floor, getting on as if they’d been friends forever. There are no words that can even begin to describe how amazing it was.” REAL WEDDINGS 35
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