Our story : Wedded Bliss

(I apologise if this reads badly or there are lots of typos, I've had to use an iPad while laptop is out of action - photos are also to follow)

As I left you at the end of my last post with the news of Stuart's proposala on our year anniversary, it seems fitting that I start this post wiath the proposal.

From my time as a legal secretary for a top city law firm, booking expensive restaurants for client dinners, there were a number of London restaurants I was keen to experience myself. One in particular being The Blue Elephant, a Thai restaurant in Fulham so Stuart and I booked it for our year anniversary.

Shortly after sitting down at our table, I saw a lawyer from my department arrive with his girlfriend and shown to a table in a different part of the restaurant and mentioned it to Stuart. I did notice he didn't look too enthusiastic about the information but mistook his look more to indifference. Then I saw them complain about sitting in a draft and asked to be moved so the waiter obligingly moved them to the table next to us. Stuart definitely looked less than pleased but politely said hello when Patrick and I acknowledged each other.

We had a pleasant meal and was delighted when Stuart ordered us both a glass of champagne to toast our anniversary and I admit at that point the thought of a proposal prospect did cross my mind and sneaked a quick look in my glass to check for a ring but dismissed the idea when there wasn't one present and didn't think much more of it...until Stuart started talking emotionally about our relationship and how he felt...then he reached into his pocket...got down on bended knee...and proposed!

In the background I could see that Patrick and his girlfriend had clocked what was happening along with other surrounding diners and it took all my strength to focus solely on Stuart and not run in a panic out of the restaurant. Not because I didn't want to say yes but because I hate being centre of attention in this way. I found out later that this too was Stuart's worse fear, not that I'd say no but that I'd run for the hills! But I didn't and I said yes! Then we excitedly called our respective parents on the taxi ride home.

That was on 28 July 2004.

So fast forward to May 2006, our wedding week! We had decided we wanted to get married in Cyprus and had found the perfect hotel, Grecian Sands in Ayia Napa, after attending the wedding fayre at Earl's Court, London. We had invited 30 our close friends and family to share our special day with us as well as the week leading up to the day, on Friday 26 May. There was little to do on the organisation front until we arrived in cyprus which suited us both down to the ground! It went with the hotel's recommendation for dj, the hotel's recommendation for photographer (who was photographer for Cyprus's equivalent of Hello! Magazine), booked the best spot to get married over-looking the sea, booked the barbecue, the flowers, told them to go to town on the floral table decorations -it was perfect!

We arrived on Sunday, held our hen & stag dos on the Wednesday (myself dressed as little bo peep with my little lost sheep (it's a sheep thing of mine) and Stuart dressed as an old woman). We started off our nights separately but with there only being one decent nightclub in Ayia Napa, it was inevitable that we'd eventually meet! We then had a nice meal with the parents on the Thursday and went to our separate rooms that night in preparation for our big day the next day. My sister came to stay with me for my last night as a single lady!

The morning of our wedding was a blur of activity. I went to have my hair done only to discover the flowers I'd ordered to go in my hair hadn't arrived. My hairdresser was amazing though and went running all over town while I had my make-up done, getting them made for me telling me not to worry, she'd sort it...and she did!

When I was ready, and it was time to go and meet my groom at the alter, I had my first emotional moment as my dad met me to give me away. But I got over it quickly then off I went with my two bridesmaids, my sister Natalie, and my friend Lou, following behind me. There was a heatwave happening in Cyprus so our poor guests and us had the pleasure of 38 degree heat in our wedding attire but I barely noticed!

The civil service wasn't romantic but the necessary was said and the register signed. I later found out (with evidence caught on camcorder) that my dad was sharing his appreciation of the registrar!

Following the ceremony, the guests were shown to a room (the Poseidon room) for refreshments while we had photos. Then we sat down outside for the barbecue (all I ever wanted for my wedding since I was young was a barbecue). The speeches were said, with a poem from my dad, the giving of camels from Stuart to my dad, the best man...then on with the cake cutting, dj and dancing to the early hours. At sunset Stuart and I went off to have some more photos as the sun went down over on the rocks.

Our first dance was to Robbie William's Angels with our second...it had to be...Me and Mrs Jones.

The dj was excellent and played a perfect mix of modern day dance for the young and more traditional music foe the not quite so young as well as a selection of tracks from a cd we had prepared in advance.

I was given some advice from a friend to take regular breaks to just stop, look around and take in everything that was happening to ensure I remembered my day and I am so glad I did. It was amazing and truly was the best day of my life!