This post is a little overdue, and for that I’d first of all like to apologise. What with a minimoon in Huey the ever so wonderful camper van and Chris’ 27th birthday, things have been a tad on the hectic side. They are settling down somewhat now however!
By many brides’ standards, the time frame which I gave myself to organise was not the most generous, especially when coupled with the decision to make a large amount of the decorations for the wedding myself (well, with some help from mums!).
Many of you will know the story, but for anyone who doesn’t, Chris and I camped at a beautiful camp site in North Wales, near Beddgelert, around 4 or 5 years ago (and were later wowed when the view from our tent appeared onscreen one Christmas when watching Tomb Raider, apparently in China, but we knew the truth!). We decided a week after our 9 year anniversary in January that we didn’t want to get to 10 years and still ‘just be engaged’, although I imagine parents were beginning to think that was all it would ever be by this point! On a drive into Newcastle, taking Chris to work, we candidly discussed how we’d get married, and after shooting Chris down in flames for daring to suggest just a small registry office wedding, I romantically suggested,
“Surely something like a barn somewhere like that camp site would be much more us?”
In a moment of madness, I logged onto the Llyn Gwynant website and fired over an email asking if they had availability for this year, receiving an email back advising there was a free date on 30th March (way too soon!) or a cancellation had just come in that week for 23rd June. After chatting with Chris later that evening… or maybe nearly inducing a heart attack would be a more accurate way of describing it… the barns ended up booked, shocked parents were told and the plans began to be made; but not before I’d had chance to find a band, hog roast company and buy my wedding dress from eBay!
Well, as time has a habit of doing, it flew by, but with the help of both mums, some good friends, best man, maid of honour, dad and sister, a wide range of decorations were made and sourced, cakes were baked, table cloths lent and the day before the wedding took place, the venue was dressed to perfection. From 350 bunting triangles hung from the ceiling, to hand made candle holders and table runners, deco patch letters and hearts to fairy lights strung down the walls and a sweet william adorned arch, our venue looked fantastic. Past midnight on 22nd June, cakes were having their final decorations added, Huey was sleeping outside and the music and walk down the aisle were being perfected before we trundled off to our various cottages and b&bs overnight.
The following day, when I arrived in Huey, driven by my dad, seeing the seats filled with friends and family through the long windows in the barn made me feel nervous for the first time that day. The rest of the service seemed to just flow perfectly however, and the day didn’t whizz by too quickly or leave people bored and standing around. There had been some hiccups leading up to the big day; my bouncy castle lady had to cancel, but it rained so the entertainment wasn’t missed. The hog roast kept setting the fire alarms off, and partway through the evening, a burst pipe meant the water went off, but after 5 months of planning I was in chill mode and somebody sorted the problems out!
One of the biggest things that stood out for me that day was spending it with good friends and close family. It was a shame that some guests couldn’t make it on the day, but we really appreciated all those who managed to get there, especially despite car break downs and 7 hour journeys to be with us. The other touching thing was the number of people who commented about how we’d made the wedding ‘ours’ with the decorations and dressing the barns how we wanted to. It’s true, we were so proud of the way the barns looked, but the truth of the matter is without the wonderful guests who made the effort to celebrate with us and make us feel very loved, our wedding day wouldn’t have been the amazing and special day it was. So thank you everybody who helped make it what it was.
Fabulous day! Enjoyed camping even though hadn’t been in years (although not allowed to set up on a slight slope again as Pete spent the night sliding to the bottom of the tent :-)). Loved Chris and John smiling nervously as they waited for Sarah’s grand entrance and I filled up when Sarah entered, she looked so breathtakingly beautiful. Band were fab, food was luverly, best mans speech was best I’ve heard to date. A great day for a great couple and still got an amazing honeymoon experience to come. Have a wonderful life together love from the Persicos