Lou and Si's Wedding

On the 6th of September Lee and I went to Lincolnshire for the wedding of our friends Lou and Si. It was a huge honour and privilege to be invited to celebrate with them and we've been looking forward to it for ages!

We set off about 10am and picked Bettie and Jen up at Meadowhall shortly after. I drove us all to the venue, which was Stockwith Mill on the other side of Lincoln. We stopped for coffee and lunch, and got to the venue just before 1pm. Si was already there, looking gorgeous in his suit, so we said hello and then went into the venue to get a drink. The venue used to be a mill, obviously, and the bar was in a barn and it was very cute. It had a terrace behind it under cover, so we took our drinks out there. After a bit the wedding coordinator came out to tell us to walk up to the ceremony area. It was in the middle of a field and SO cute, there was a wooden pergola kind of thing and then a few benches. We took our seats and more people arrived - not tons of us, though, it was an intimate wedding which was lovely!

Lou arrived not long after, preceded by her three bridesmaids in different shades of green, and walked down the aisle by her parents, which was lovely. Her dress was so gorgeous, she had bought it second hand off Vinted. I really loved her dried wildflower posey, too. 

The ceremony was gorgeous - the celebrant had clearly listened to both of them very much because it was so personalised to them and so detailed. Then their vows to each other were just absolutely gorgeous, really personal and lovely. Bettie and I were both blubbing! 

We were encouraged to take photos when the ceremony was done, and then there were lots of photos before we all headed back down to the mill itself where there was a drink reception in the courtyard. We spoke to Lou and Si and Lou's mum, who we've met before at zine fests, and got introduced to Lou's brother, which was nice. There were tons of photos and we sat on the grass chatting and stuff, it was a good time! 

The food was at 4pm so we all went into a room in the barn which had been set up for us. The food was afternoon tea, which is a really lovely idea and was so nice. For vegetarians there was pulled mushroom wraps, a different wrap, fake sausage rolls, and spring rolls. For Lee there was chicken wraps but then also red meat or pork, neither of which he eats. Lou and Si didn't know so it's not their fault, but the caterer kindly brought out some other vegetarian stuff for him which was really nice. Then there was a scone each, a donut, a brownie, and something else. It was all so yummy! 

There were speeches which were all lovely, especially Si's brother Carl's, which was tear jerking. Then we moved outside and got drinks and pretty soon the disco was set up and evening guests arrived. Lou and Si cut the cake - which was vegan, and gorgeous - and then we danced a bit and chatted and stuff. Around 8pm the same caterers did loaded fries - either chicken and salt and pepper chips or bacon and cheese, with vegan equivalents! So Lee and I shared some of those which was nice. 

We set off back about 9.30 because it was quite a way, and after dropping Bettie and Jen off again we managed to be home in bed before midnight! I do love a wedding though and I'm so glad we were able to go to this one

Lee and I before the ceremony, my lipstick did not QUITE match his hair but it was close! 

Me and Jen

And me and Bettie

Just married! 

So cute

Lou's gorgeous bouquet, I love the idea that you can save it forever

Lou in her gorgeous dress, I loved it and her make up and hair too

The venue and its stream

Looking up towards the waterwheel which sadly doesn't turn anymore

Afternoon tea

During speechese

The cake! Such a gorgeous colour

First dance

Ladz on the dance floor

A spicy margarita that had like a LOT of salt on it 

And finally the lights leading between the car park and venue

Lee's Brother's Wedding

In the middle of October Lee's brother Andrew got married to his fiancee Libby and it was a lovely day! They live in Newcastle and that's where the wedding was. Lee and I would normally have stayed over and seen his dad too, but we were going away the day after, so we had to go there and back in one day. So we set off nice and early, and got some breakfast on the way, and got to the venue only just after eleven o'clock. Which turned out to be before almost anyone else and we had come the furthest! 

We talked to lots of Lee's family which was nice, and took our seats about 12.30 with our friends Paul and Lianne. Paul has known Andrew for years and they're close, so it was nice to see them too. The ceremony started just before 1pm. Libby looked absolutely beautiful - her mum made the dress and it was absolutely gorgeous and she looked stunning. Her hair is to die for too, and it looked so good!

After the ceremony there were photos outside and donuts to eat which were all vegan. I had one of the orange ones with creme inside which were delicious. The decor of the room was all autumn themed which was really nice, including handmade crocheted pumpkins which were so cute. We went outside to be in some photos and the weather was very changeable but the sun did come out for a bit. 

At 5pm there was a pizza van outside so we ordered margheritas each and chips. There was vegan pizza too for the vegans. Then there was dancing and bubble machines and I asked both of my adult nieces for photos and they nicely indulged me, haha. They're 19 and 20 now and delightful and it was nice to meet Caitlin's boyfriend too. 

Lee and I left at about 9.15 because we had to get home, but it was such a pleasure to see Andrew and Libby get married. They're so right for each other and it's so lovely! I was wearing a Lady V dress that I've had for a couple of years now but don't wear often, with a very old pink cardigan over the top. 

My nails on the way there - it was an Essie polish with an OPI glitter over the top and it looked really nice, I really liked the effect

The venue all set up, looking so cute before anyone else arrived 

Here I am all made up outside - my main make up bag was already packed to go away so I had to improvise!

Here I am in this gorgeous Lady V dress - I loved the pattern and thought it was nice for a wedding

Here's Lianne and I outside

Some of the gorgeous flower displays inside, so fitting for mid October

And more - didn't it look lovely?

Donuts! It was a nice touch while photos were happening

And the wedding cake! 

Here's Libby in her absolutely stunning dress that her mum made 

And here it is from the back. It was just so pretty!

I liked this sign that they had hung outside

Lee's sister Kim and me when the sun was out

Kim and her husband Steven

Lee and I - he had to dress up smart and he wasn't impressed

Lee's mam Bev and me 

Lee's mam and stepdad Gary and all their kids - Daniel, Kim, Libby, Chris, Andrew, Lee, Bev and Gary. Yes she has five kids!

Libby and I in a quick photo

Lianne and Paul and Lee and I - not a great photo of any of us but it was the best we could do I think

Pizza! It was fresh and delicious! 

The vegan pizzas Paul and Lianne had

Finally here's my niece Leah and I later on when we had all had a few drinks!

And me and my other niece Caitlin... thanks girls!

My Cousin's Wedding in Southampton

As I said, my cousin got married towards the end of June in Southampton, where Beth is from and where they are now living. Peter is one of my favourite people and has been since he was a tiny baby, so I was really proud to watch him get married! 

We had breakfast in our hotel and got ready, and then set off early to the church. We parked just up from it and got to talk to both my cousins and my aunt and uncle before the wedding, as well as one of Peter's best friends. Peter didn't seem nervous! We took some photos and then sat down. 

The wedding was lovely and afterwards Peter and Beth went off in a horse drawn carriage! The rest of us walked up to Beth's parents' house which is where the reception was. First of all there were drinks in the garden, which was all non alcoholic and very delicious. Then we went through to garden to a shared space at the back where a marquee had been put up. There were more drinks and canapes while photos were taken. It had been really hot the day before but wasn't very warm on the day of the wedding which was a shame but it's the one thing you can't control!

Beth made her wedding dress and I think you'll agree it was absolutely stunning. She had hand embroidered the flowers on the top layer and had covered all the buttons herself. She works as a theatre costumer so it's no surprise she could do this and I'm so pleased she did - it was absolutely gorgeous and just perfect for her. 

We all took our seats in the marquee for the wedding breakfast. There was a sort of serve yourself buffet on each table - gammon, fish, and some veggie options, plus salads and potatoes. We were sitting with my mum and stepdad and one of Beth's aunts and her husband. It was nice to meet them and talk to them. There was a trio of dessert which was delicious. Then there were speeches, which were lovely. My uncle was Peter's best man, and his speech was just adorable. 

After speeches was a ceilidh! I don't do dancing but it was nice to watch. It was pretty cold but they had provided blankets so I sat under one of those until it was time to say bye to Peter and Beth which we did by making an arch for them to run through to get to Peter's car! It was a truly gorgeous wedding and I'm wishing them a lifetime of happiness together. 

Look how well my nails matched my dress! I did enjoy the gel nails and managed to not chip one, but they seemed to grow out really quickly, and removal of them was NOT fun and took forever!

Peter and me before the wedding, and before he put his jacket on

My uncle fixing Peter's buttonhole

In the garden area for the reception - I wanted this photo to show Beth's beautiful dress

Which is why I also took this photo of the back! Isn't it just so lovely?

All my cousins! I am so happy to have such lovely cousins and their now wives (who are both called Beth!)

Peter and Rob. Rob and his Beth got married five years ago

My mum had bought this dress when in York with a friend, it's linen and lovely isn't it?

The flowers were lovely, with SO many roses!

The cake! It had a few different flavours - Lee and I went for pieces of the chocolate orange layer

I made this decoration as a present for Peter and Beth. I made one very similar in a workshop at my craft club and decided to make a wedding one. It's by no means perfect but I was pleased with it

Our trio of desserts - apple crumble, raspberry mousse, and a chocolate torte

Peter giving his speech - I was so proud! 

Beth giving her speech 

Waiting for the first dance - Beth was ready but Peter had disappeared! It was funny

Dancing! It was a Paramore song I think

Beth having her dress pinned up ready for the ceilidh

My aunt and uncle dancing! 

And finally Peter and Beth and some of their friends later in the evening

What a gorgeous joyful day!