The week leading up to the wedding was mental, even though I thought I had everything organised! Finished up work the Friday before, and went out for drinks with the girls from work after so Saturday was just spent on the couch! The Monday to Thursday was spent between the beauticans, hair dressers and dress makers, had so many appointments, I definitely could have gotten use to being a lady of leisure and going that every week!
We had the rehearsal the Thursday evening, and then I headed home to collect my stuff and our dog, said goodbye to H2B and went to my mams, where me and my BMs were staying that night.. The only thing I had left at that stage to do was write my speech, but relations called over and we spend the evening drinking bubbly so never got a chance to prepare it!
Friday morning, the morning of the wedding, I got up at 6 and went out to my dads grave by myself for a while. It was very emotional but definitely helped me for later on in the day as I wasn’t a sobbing mess then..
We had our hair appointment at 8, the girls in Koka in Athlone were great, the hairstyles were fab and the girls really relaxed me.
Next was to the beauticans for makeup, Chica in Monksland in Athlone, Michelle is brilliant at makeup, the eye make up even lasted the next day!
Back to mams then, Magda Lukas, our photographer had arrived at that stage and was taking photos of the shoes etc. Next, the florist Clare Lawless arrived with the flowers, it was the first time I had seen the flowers and didn’t know what to expect as all I had told her were the colours I wanted! The flowers were gorgeous!
I had gotten the girls personalised dressing gowns so we stood around in there drinking champers while magda took pictures, and then about 12, our dog was collected, the JBMs got ready, followed by the BMs and then it was time to put me into my dress! We were all ready about 1.15, and magda took pictures of us all ready and then she left at 1.30 to go to the church. The videographer Vincent OSullivan was arriving at the church at that time too. Next some of the neighbours called in and there was just such a great buzz in the house.
At 1.55, we left the house in a merc by Pat SmytAh Cars, with the BMs travelling a few minutes ahead, arrived at the church at 2.02 and there were still loads of guests arriving so waited in the car for a few minutes until they went in. When we got into the church, St Marys Church in Athlone, the door was closed with a big bang, and I nearly had a little wobbler but my CBM turned around and said Stop, you’ll make me start! And I was fine after that!
Then the choir started, Virtuoso Chamber Choir, they were amazing, “make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck” amazing ! And off we went up the aisle! My favourite part of the whole day was meeting DH at the altar, he is not usually emotional at all, and had a tear in his eye! The mass felt like it was 5 minutes long, it went so fast!
The reception after was in Hodson Bay Hotel, Ger was great in the run up to the wedding, even thinking of things we were never have thought of before! And the day before the BM was really nervous about the speech and he brought him into the room and let him practice with the mike. They were really attentive on the day and in the lead up.. would recommend them 100%
On the day itself, the room was done up stunning! After photos outside, the 2 of us were brought into the room to see it and also to get with cake shots done with Magda. The cake was done by the Hodson Bay as part of the package.
Everyone thought the meal was fab and the service was great, couldn’t fault anything with the bay and the view from the bridal suite is unreal! We had the table names done as love in different languages and had scratch cards and love heart sweets as favours so these were good talking points for the guests. And the speech went fine even though I hadn’t it prepared!
We had the late nite radio band as our band and DJ.. they were unreal.. had the dance floor full all night! We had booked them after seeing them at a wedding the year before and were delighted! They sang adele “Make you feel my love” for our first day. i think i was on the dancefloor for 90% of the time they played!
I must say the day went better than i could have ever expected!
Sorry, its so long. Hope ye are still reading!
Suppliers
Hotel – Hodson Bay Hotel http://www.hodsonbayhotel.com/
Photographer Magda Lukas http://www.momentsandmemories.ie/
Videographer Vincent O’Sullivan 090 648 5223
Hair Koka Hair Salon 0906490361
Makeup Chica 090 6490767
Choir – Virtuoso Chamber Choir http://www.virtuoso.ie
Band – Late Nite Radio Band http://www.lateniteradioband.com/
Flowers Clare Lawless http://www.claresnaturalflowers.com
Car Pat Smyth http://www.smythsroscommon.com/chauffeur/
My Dress http://www.beautifulbrideni.com/ - in new ownership since I bought
BMs dresses – Ardee Bridal – since closed
Suits – JF Waldron http://www.johnfrancis.ie/
Hope I haven’t forgotten anything! Any questions just PM me!
You look fantastic!! Us Sept 2011 brides all married now 
We must start planning something else 
Rainbow Ninja you look fantastic. 
