Katie and Andy have known one another most of their lives, as Katie was close friends with Andys cousin when she was young. "I would bump into him at family social gatherings," she says. "My parents and the aunty and uncle were also close friends at school. For our first date, he was required to The Crown at Wergs, within the West Midlands. From the way, we looked at one another, on that first date, both of us knew this was it. He invited me to his grandad's vacation cabin and we even spoke about likely to New York on that first date."
A SUNSET PROPOSAL
The couple has been together almost 3 years since Andy proposed. "We were on vacation in Dubrovnik, Croatia," says Katie. "We were rising Mount Srd to determine the sunset. The normal in place is by cable car but I'm terrified of heights. So Andy arranged for any tuk-tuk to consider us up instead."
"We had one with this back toward the camera, he then said he wanted one more person looking in the camera. It was quite rocky, so I woke up and felt him hanging onto my legs. When I turned around, thinking he needed help getting out of bed, he was recorded on one knee! The driver had champagne along with a blanket ready for all of us and took some good photos of the proposal. I cried with the whole thing, it was magical!"
wedding dresses FEELTIMES
"My sister recommended FeelTimes wedding gowns on Wednesbury, as she bought her dress there," says Katie. "The staff were great, solved the problem pick out some options and I found the main one I loved immediately. It's true the things they say - wedding gowns look so different on! Really good prices too."
Katie finds her dream ball gown wedding dress. "I fell deeply in love with the detail around the body and also the 6ft train," she says. "There would be a layer of lace, that is just stunning. The second I first viewed it in the mirror I just loved every inch of it. There were other people within the changing rooms plus they clapped and asserted was the main one!"
A BEAUTIFUL VENUE
The couple chose Arley House Gardens in Upper Arley for her venue. "My husband thought it was online," says Katie. "It had only been open around 1 . 5 years when we went to determine it, shortly before Covid hit. As soon as we first viewed it we loved it. There would be a 'bride' room, a bridal preparing room along with a grooms/lads suite having a snooker table. The grounds and venue are modern and stunning, having a church on-site. The church sealed the deal for all of us because it meant we didn't need to move elsewhere. It's also alongside Arley Arboretum, which is full of countless ancient trees and water fountains, and we had amazing photos taken there. We were designed to get married on 26 June 2021, but because of Covid we got married on 30th October 2021."
THE BIG DAY
"I got ready with my mum and bridesmaids in the venue," says Katie. "The weather was terrible initially, with torrential rain and flooding! Then around 10 am the blue sky arrived and also the sun arrived on the scene. It was glorious as well as warm. This provided me with butterflies, I felt so lucky. At the end of October, it might have gone in either case."
"I was poorly, unfortunately, having a throat and chest infection, so I had hardly any voice. But I dosed myself up and continued. My dad walked me down the aisle within the church to 'Sebastian and Mia's song' from La La Land. It's my hubby's favourite and also the first film we had together. My husband's sister, also among my bridesmaids, gave a reading from Corinthians."
"I had two special moments," says Katie. "Walking on the aisle was my absolute favourite, seeing my hubby crying am emotional. While we were standing in the front with my father, a butterfly came flying around us and touched my hubby's head. My grandad couldn't be there, because he died not too long ago. I felt like this was him letting me know he was around. A butterfly at the end of October is really rare!"
DRINKS, PHOTOS AND DANCING
After the ceremony guests headed towards the venue for drinks, while the newlyweds went towards the Arboretum for photos. "We had more photos with family and also the bridal party, then had our speeches and wedding breakfast," says Katie.
"Our evening guests came shortly after and we cut the wedding cake and did our first dance. For our first dance, my hubby had written me a song called 'First Dance' which we have been having dance lessons for."
"On your day we should have married, my hubby hired the Lighthouse Cinema and arranged for the families to become there like a surprise. He then revealed the song in my experience and our videographer put a montage of photos into it. We played this within the background whenever we were dancing and individuals were in shock!"
PALE PINKS AND BLUES
The colour palette was pale pink and pale blue. "I made some frames with Polaroid photos people and I upcycled one and put vinyl transfers on like a welcome sign," says Katie.
"My centrepieces and table plan were hoops with flowers wrapped around that looked fab. For dinner, we'd vegetable soup, slow-cooked beef with veg and dauphinoise potatoes, then white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. Then we'd pork baps around the evening."
"My wedding cake had three layers of lemon sponge, Victoria sponge and fruit cake, and was decorated with glitter and pale pink roses," says Katie. "I then was built with a separate chocolate cake too, as I wanted a chocolate cake however it didn't taste great with icing! A family friend kindly made both cakes for all of us. Our favours were personalised Love Hearts - cheap and cheerful! We also hired a fab band, called 5th Street, through Entertainment Nation."
MY FAVOURITE MOMENTS
"I loved preparing," says Katie. "The excitement and achieving my hair and makeup were done are nice. I also adored my dress. Wearing my dress was among my favourite things because I loved it and I'm so sad I wont put it on again. I got a lot of compliments. Walking on the aisle is memorable and special, the rest of it became a blur because it goes so quickly!"
TOP TIPS
"Don't take into account the small stuff," says Katie. "It's very easy to say, however, the less stress try on some yourself the greater. Keep a wedding spreadsheet of estimates, with just how much you've paid and also the total. It helped keep me organised. My main tip is to enjoy every second. Lap up, since it flies by!"
Article produced at: https://www.feeltimes.com/
