MM and I have been married 14 years today! I remember it all vividly. The location was The Devonshire Arms, Bolton Abbey, West Yorkshire. Neither of us are from anywhere near there – we just wanted a beautiful location and I was obsessed about having a venue that didn’t look like a conference room – I didn’t want “any metal legged chairs”! We were living in London at the time and we had our hen and stag nights the week of the wedding. Madness in hindsight.
My hen night was at Kensington Place – a great restaurant in Notting Hill – on the Wednesday night. I then traveled North back home with my Mum and sister on the Thursday, whilst the boys congregated in London for the stag night. They traveled up to Skipton on the Friday morning – with Martin, one of the best men, having to side step out of the ticket line to throw up, before getting on the train. I still feel awful for anyone who was in that line that day!
Friday night was spent at the Devonshire Arms. I promised myself not to drink – that promise lasted 2 minutes – and a party ensued as all our guests arrived – some we hadn’t seen for a while. Not a good idea to get carried away on excited energy the night before you get married! I didn’t sleep a wink that night and I remember sharing a room with Jo, one of my bridesmaids. In the corridors I could hear MM and his brother howling and giggling – I knew it was going to be a tough morning!
I headed off at the crack of dawn with my Mum and sis to get our hair done. I felt rough as a badger’s arse but ridiculously excited! The champers at the salon soon had me buzzing again and it was off back to the hotel to get dressed. Now remember this is the 19th September in West Yorkshire – all bets would be on rain and clouds but the weather was stunning! Blue skies and sunshine – in fact a little too warms for some dehydrated folks:) Later I heard it was quite a miracle that MM made it to the ceremony at all. He had gone to work off some of the previous night’s excesses in the gym, having forgotten his sneakers he ran barefoot on the treadmill and went flying off the back of it, then he tried to walk downstairs in his flip flops, spilled his cup of water and went flying again! I’m giggling as I write this – talk about the excesses of youth!
I walked in with my Dad to Pachelbel’s Canon and Simon read The Owl and the Pussycat and we were done! Mr and Mrs – as easy as that. The great thing about our venue was that no one had to go anywhere as we used the same room for the ceremony, the reception and the disco. Our first dance was to ‘Love me Tender’ but I remember the dance floor clearing later too as we whirled each other around to ‘Satisfaction’ by the Stones. There are some amazing photos of MM and his mate dancing and stripping – yes stripping though not naked thankfully – to ‘Bad to the Bone‘ – many chins were on the floor at this remarkable scene – my Dad’s for one.
The following day we made our way back to London elated, and then on the Monday we jetted off to Northern Cyprus where we traveled with back packs and a jeep for 2 weeks – bliss.
After 14 years and 2 kids not a day goes by when he doesn’t make me laugh – at him or with him:) Happy Anniversary my lovely.
The photo on my desk!:
Now off to Bacchanalia tonight for a tamer celebration than 14 years ago!
Today’s outfit is all Zara! TRF blue pants, t-shirt and jersey blazer worn with my Tory Burch Eddies.
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I had to comment on this as one of our readings was the owl and the pussy cat at our wedding 12 years ago, I believe Zoe ball and Norman (fat boy slim) had it at their wedding too. Love the wedding pic, you both look fab.
We had so many sniggers as it was read – loved it – so much fun:) Thanks Diane!
I had the Owl and Pussy Cat too. We got married in Headingley in Leeds. Not too far from you then.