Our wedding || The morning of…

08.09

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F R I D A Y   1 7 T H    J U L Y   2 0 1 5  ,  A M .

It’d been hard to sleep, the night before the wedding. I’d kissed goodnight my Mum and sister and Jo (my best friend and Maid of Honour) after an evening of drinking champagne and sharing gifts and telling stories and reminiscing, all by the light of a hundred candles and whilst listening to a colossal storm raging outside. It was as romantic a start to a wedding as I could ever have hoped for.

We woke bright and early that morning, and the ‘getting ready’ process took, as you’d expect, a hundred times longer than we’d planned it to. The house had a peaceful, relaxed vibe to it though, for the most part. Cody, our amazing hairdresser, calmly worked her way through each of us in turn, pinning and curling and braiding until we were transformed, then added in to our hair the tiny sprigs of gypsophilia and tea roses and fragrant eucalyptus that Michelle had dropped off along with our bouquets midway through the morning.

My stomach lurched with nerves every 15 minutes or so, and breakfast was an impossibility. In fact, I think I ran on adrenaline alone for most of the day…

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Whilst my Mum worked her magic doing makeup for Cesca, Jo, and herself, our wonderful photographer Sam managed to slip around almost unnoticed (quite the feat, in a house full of women!) capturing moments with the skill and intuition that make his work so very special.

A B O V E- my darling Grandma and Granddad on their own wedding day, 65 years before my own. Isn’t her bouquet something? <3 And Fizz, who we got as a kitten when I was 10, relaxed happily in the garden and then kitchen, soaking up all the attention that came her way.

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Jason and I had promised that we’d keep our wedding morning ‘gifts’ to something small and sentimental, and at a little before 11 that morning, my soon-to-be brother-in-law Joe arrived bearing a little sealed envelope marked, as Jason has called me for the best part of our relationship, not Rosie but ‘B’.

The card read ‘Adventure is waiting’, and the words inside were so similar those I’d written to Jason inside the gift I sent back for him with Joe (a book of all the little letters I’ve written him during the past few years, with a new one for the morning of the wedding), it was almost silly! If we’d ever doubted for a second if we were meant to be…
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Sam dashed over to see Jason and his brothers, just in time to capture Jason opening up my gift to him. B E L O W – the boys in black and white…

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B A C K   T O  B R I D E – C E N T R A L

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I’d somehow managed to leave putting on my dress so late in the morning that panic had begun to set in, and the moment itself is a blur when I look back on it now.

A blur of ‘goodness me, was it always this snug?’ and ‘please don’t let me fall down these stairs’ and ‘can I wear this every day of my life, do you reckon?’. Even though I must’ve tried on my dress 30 times ever since that very first fitting, this time was something completely different. I can’t quite explain how surreal it felt to be transformed from myself, into a bride.

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Asking my godfather, Steve, if he’d give me away was one of the very first things I did after getting engaged, and it was so incredibly special to have him with me on that morning. He insisted we took a selfie in the car on the way over to the ceremony (and called it a ‘facie’! <3), which, whilst I look so nervous I’m practically green, is a photo I’ll treasure forever!

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The final moments before we left the house were a rush of emotions.

Jo and Francesca helped me put the veil down over my face so that Steve could practise lifting it off again (he was nervous about doing it wrong at the top of the aisle!), and the look on my Mum’s face when she saw me as a bride for the very first time that morning is a mental picture I know will stay with me forever.

My heart felt as though it was leaping higher and higher in my throat, and the minutes seemed to rush past in bursts.

I watched as our little bridesmaids left for the church, followed closely behind by Jo and Francesca and my Mum and Godmother, until there was no one left but myself and Steve.

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He asked, ‘Are you ready, darling?’, reminded me to breathe (because I think, in the joy and nerves and anticipation of the moment, I’d forgotten to), and then, finally, we were ready to leave.

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T O   T H E   C H U R C H . . .

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Up next? The ceremony…

{All photos by Sam Docker.}

p.s. I’ll be sharing posts from our wedding all this week and will be finishing up with a full supplier list, so do let me know if you’ve got any ‘where did X/Y/Z come from?’ questions, and I’ll make sure I include the answer in the round up.

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46 Comments
Posted in WEDDING
  • http://mutedmornings.blogspot.com Mimmi

    Oh my goodness, these photos are incredibly beautiful, and you look stunning! Your dress is the dream. I love how you can see how happy and emotional everyone is. Such a lovely post!

    Mimmi xx
    Muted Mornings

  • http://thelensaffairs.blogspot.co.uk/ Kimberley Miller

    These photos are simply stunning and you girl, look incredibly radiant! Such a beautiful bride. Such a lovely post.

    Kim | http://www.thelensaffair.com

  • http://www.kathandcake.com Kathryn

    The photos are absolutely beautiful, can’t wait for the next post!
    Kathryn x
    http://www.kathandcake.com

  • http://www.thatadventurer.co.uk Hannah | That Adventurer

    That dress is gorgeous – where’d you get it from!?

  • http://www.littlemisskaty.co.uk/ Little Miss Katy

    Oh this is SO beautiful Rosie! You look absolutely stunning. And I got all emosh at that photo of Jason opening your gift. So sweet! xxx

    Little Miss Katy | UK Lifestyle Blog

  • http://www.queenbeady.com QueenBeady

    Honestly, you’ll have heard it all before but you really were just such a stunning, natural bride. You looked beautiful & I really hope that you have a lifetime of happiness together!
    Bee | QueenBeady.com

  • Hardy and Hay

    !!!!!!!!!! Oh, Rosie! I’ve become so emotional reading this post, with silly soppy happy watery eyes! haha! That’s very strange as I don’t often get too choked up about weddings, and for a lady I’ve not met before(!) (but feel like I kind of know)!..

    That black and white photograph of you with your veil pulled over your face: wow. No words for how beautiful you look!

    You are ethereal and breath taking and glowing, and I can totally understand your excitement and nerves and surrealism from the words you’ve written!

    Flora
    http://www.hardyandhay.com

  • http://viewfromthemiddle.co.uk Nicky

    OMG! You had me in tears Rosie! Beautifully written, beautifully photographed. Just beautiful x

  • http://www.sophiecliff.com/ Sophie Cliff

    Oh Rosie you look absolutely breathtaking. I had hairs sticking up on my neck reading this – you’ve managed to capture the moments so perfectly. Enjoy reliving every moment!

    Sophie Cliff

  • http://imogenscribbles.co.uk Imogen H

    This is so wonderfully written that I genuinely nearly teared up… which I guess doesn’t really surprise me as I am a sucker for anything wedding related (definitely seen every marriage proposal on YouTube there is). The photos are absolutely beautiful, and I’m looking forward to seeing more photos and hearing more about the day as the week goes on.

    Imogen // imogenscribbles.co.uk

  • http://www.by-rosie.com By Rosie

    Gorgeous gorgeous utterly gorgeous. Those photos are stunning. Perfectly captured xxx

  • emily couture

    Such stunning photos and beautiful dress :)

    emily xx

    emilycouture95.blogspot.co.uk

  • Leanne Webber

    You look so beautiful.

    The pictures are incredible also.

    Leanne xx

    nailsandteapots

  • http://www.lurchhoundloves.com Charlotte Buttrick

    WOW – Amazing photos and you look STUNNING in your dress – can’t wait to see the ceremony shots <3 xx

  • http://www.lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk Michelle

    I love how Sam seems to have captured so many beautiful little moments that might be the ones you would miss or forget but are the ones that mean so much. And you have written this ridiculously beautifully, I may have shed a tear…it’s the spiders’ fault, ok??
    M x

  • https://rhymeandribbons.com Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

    You look absolutely stunning. I especially love the black and white photo of you with the veil over your face – that’s one to frame for your kids to see one day! x

  • Ceri

    You look absolutely stunning Rosie, but that was always a given! I can’t wait to read the rest of the posts!

    Ceri
    October Eleven

  • http://www.laurzrah.com/ Laura

    Ahh this was so beautiful!

  • CHG

    Beautiful! Reading this brought the excitement back up that I felt the morning of our wedding, I even teared up! You are a great writer Rosie :) My sister-in-law is getting married this weekend, I know I will be a sobbing mess. Big life events do that to me.

    I’d love to know where the navy blue dress is from that you wore while getting ready!

    http://www.farmbrews.blogspot.com

  • Amy Rowland

    I get married in seven weeks and this has just upped my excitement levels! You are a gorgeous bride xx

  • Lia

    Oh my goodness. Such butterflies reading this!

  • http://www.shiftingtales.com/ Patti Blue

    So nice to read how the wedding morning was for you! And you looked absolutely beautiful!
    Patti http://www.shiftingtales.blogspot.com

  • http://www.mirandasnotebook.com Miranda | Miranda’s Notebook

    Such stunning photos and so sweet to hear all your emotions on the day. You looked absolutely incredible in the dress! xxx

  • http://www.brittonloves.co.uk Lauren S

    Oh goodness, these photos are beautiful! You look a dream Rosie and it’s making me think about my own wedding – how my family will be, the dress and just the general day of celebration. I can’t wait to read more, what a wonderful day to remember :)

    Lauren x

    Britton Loves | Lifestyle Food Beauty

  • http://yachtsmaan.blogspot.com Amber Baker

    Really lovely photos! This was a sweet little peak at something so close to you. You looked gorgeous as well!

    Amber | y a c h t s m a a n

  • Nicole

    Oh my goodness, I can’t get over how incredibly beautiful these photographs are Rosie! They are just utterly perfect and really capture the emotion and happiness on everyone’s faces. I simply cannot wait to see more from your special day – you are possibly the most beautiful bride I have ever seen! :) xxx
    http://www.lifeinginger.com

  • http://www.beckieeschle.com Beckie Eschle

    You looked so beautiful! Looks like you had a lovely day! Thanks for sharing such special moments with us all x

    http://www.beckieeschle.com

  • http://www.perpetuallycaroline.com/ Caroline L.

    Oh Rosie, these photos are absolutely stunning and phenomenal. You had one heck of a photographer! I can feel all of the emotions through the screen :)

  • https://www.feetmeetworld.com Feet Meet World

    So beautiful! Such an emotional day and the photos are just stunning.

    Feet Meet World | http://www.feetmeetworld.com

  • Emily R.

    Oh this is so lovely! I’ve got goosebumps, and am even tearing up a little! The love and happiness shines through in all those pictures.

  • Oh Style

    Rosie you look like a dream this post is so enchanting, I bet these pictures bring back so many beautiful memories!

    http://www.ohstyle.uk x

  • http://www.lornaliterally.com Lorna

    Wow. Stunning dress, Rosie….truly breathtaking! Congratulations x

  • http://www.positivelyflo.com Flo

    oh my goodness I nearly cried reading this Rosie!! I can’t wait for the second installment <3

  • http://www.creativelycat.co.uk Cat

    These photos are truly beautiful, you must be so thrilled with Sam’s work! Your dress is incredible, and suits you so, so well. x

    http://www.moreaboutcat.co.uk

  • http://robowecop.com Rhianna Bowe

    These photos are absolutely stunning and my god Rosie you looked breathtaking! Can’t wait to read more about your day!

    Rhianna | robowecop

  • http://www.jaqventures.wordpress.com Jacqui

    Oh my gosh how exciting! You look so beautiful! Can’t wait for the rest of the wedding photos to come through

    Jacqui | Halcyon Jar

  • http://pollyrowan.com/ Polly Rowan

    Aw I *might* have just smudged my mascara slightly! You look stunning and I love the way you have written about this, and the excitement and nerves building up.

    http://blog.pollyrowan.com/

  • Shannon Clark

    You looked absolutely gorgeous Rosie! It sounds like you had the most perfect day, I can’t wait to read more!

    http://www.sweetserendipityblog.co.uk

  • http://www.bumpkinbetty.com/ Bumpkin Betty

    Oh Rosie, you look so BEAUTIFUL! I love these photos and I am loving your diary like run down even more – I can get a real sense of how you were feeling on the morning and it’s getting me excited/nervous for my day!! These photos are so perfect – moments you will treasure! xxx

  • http://www.withinmylocket.co.uk/ Mo Ray

    Ooof! This has made me all teary-eyed. Gosh the photographs are incredibly stunning. And your dress is absolutely gorgeous Rosie! Dear me, this day looks like it was off ta a fantastic start :) Cannot wait to read the next part
    Mo x

  • http://www.peepintokslife.blogspot.co.uk/ Karishma

    Congratulations. You look beautiful. The wedding looks beautiful too. Must have been such an amazing day x

  • http://risktowrite.blogspot.co.uk/ Alliyah

    This is all just so pretty, and perfect, and stunning.

  • https://www.woodenwindowsills.co.uk woodenwindowsills

    As I’m going through these, I’m having to try so hard not to tear up (which would be awkward as i’m at work!) Such beautiful sentiment, I’m so pleased you’re sharing so much of it, and the emotions of the day are so tangible! Alice xx

    http://www.woodenwindowsills.co.uk

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