Joanne and Paul's VR - 4th May 2011

[pixie921]

Wonderful update, Joanne! I'm so glad we're at the ceremony part, and I'm anxious to see/read more!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

oh, sweetheart, you are gorgeous! what a beautiful day you had!!!

Oh my, seeing your pics makes me absolutely sure that I chose the right location for our ceremony. It looks totally beautiful.

Swan is a beautiful location! Can't wait to see the rest, don't leave us hanging!!!!!!

What a gorgeous day! I love how intimate and pretty the swan looks! You are going to be an inspiration for future brides because everything looks so beautiful!

Wonderful update, Joanne! I'm so glad we're at the ceremony part, and I'm anxious to see/read more!!

Sweet Lacey - What lovely comments!!! Thank you so much. We did have a beautiful day!!

Kristi sweetie - I am glad you are glad!!!! The courtyard is so pretty and I am absolutely sure you have made the right decision by having your wedding there!!

Sweet Mindy - Thank you!! The Swan is, I believe, a hidden gem for weddings, so pretty outside with a lovely cool and elegant interior. It's a shame so many brides are all too eager to dis-regard it as a wedding venue!!

Krysten sweetie- Thank you for your lovely comments. I would be happy if I had a small part in influencing other brides to at least consider the Swan for their weddings or VR. It is really a beautiful place and (IMHO) far better value than a wedding/VR through DFTW. It's a shame it doesn't get the recognition it deserves!!

Amy sweetie - I hope you are feeling better!! I left a message for you, and a photo from Henry's graduation on the previous page of this TR. I don't know whether you will have noticed it because this installment started on a fresh page and, like me you probably just look at the latest page on a thread!! More to come!!

 

[Chilly]

aaahhhh you look so happy as you walk down the aisle

 

[tinkerbell 766]

So when we reached the end of the aisle, Rev Tim welcomed everyone and started the service with an opening prayer

Next he asked who gave their blessing to this marriage (the VR equivalent of the giving away of the bride). Henry answered 'I give my blessing'. Then Rev Tim looked at both Emily and Alfie who both gave the same response. It was so lovely that he asked all three of our children and not just Henry.
Henry then gave me a kiss and shook Paul's hand before taking his place beside Alfie

Next Rev Tim delivered his homily. It was a wonderful speech about marriage and enduring love, which drew on quotes from poets and philosophizers. I thought it was so beautiful (and at times humourous) and I am so sorry now that we did not have a recording made of our ceremony (my one big regret about our day). We were relying on DMIL's partner to record it on his video camera, but he had brought the wrong charging lead with him from the UK and his camera battery was flat!!! So no recording for us!! I would love to have listened to Rev Tim's homily later, and really take it in, but, c'est la vie!!!
We really enjoyed Rev Tim's speech.

There were others, however, who didn't seem quite so enthralled!!

I love this series of photos Randy took of us listening to Rev Tim!!

Here is another one of Randy's sneeky pictures taken during the homily

Rev Tim finished his speech and it was time for me to hand over my bouquet to Emily

I love this photo of my beautiful daughter. She looks pensive in it, but it is a lovely shot with all the gorgeous flowers around her

The next part of the service was Emily's reading of an excerpt from 'The Velveteen Rabbit, so she laid my bouquet and her posy on a chair in preparation for her big moment!!

She delivered the reading so clearly and eloquently. Everybody loved it!!! As 'The Velveteen Rabbit' is not so popular a book in the UK as it is in the US, many of my guests had never heard this excerpt before

We had reached the part of the service that all the preparation, planning and hard work had been leading up to. Paul and I were about to re-affirm our love and renew our vows to one another.........

 

[Chilly]

I've heard of 'The Velveteen Rabbit' but only because its in Friends, i've no idea what its about though.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

aaahhhh you look so happy as you walk down the aisle

I've heard of 'The Velveteen Rabbit' but only because its in Friends, i've no idea what its about though.

Claire sweetie - Thank you!! I was so very happy!!

Here is what Emily read:-

This reading is an excerpt from ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’
‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ is a children's novel written by Margery Williams, and first published in 1922. It chronicles the story of a stuffed rabbit and his quest to become ‘real’ through the love of his owner. The poor little rabbit is rather intimidated by the expensive and mechanical toys, who fancy themselves as ‘real’, and seeks the friendship and advice of the Skin Horse, an old and respected toy.


"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When somebody loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get all loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled
"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

 

[ericamcl]

Lovely update - and great feature in the "Wedding Blog" this morning

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Lovely update - and great feature in the "Wedding Blog" this morning

Thank you Erica sweetie!!

 

[Jilian]

Wow, your ceremony was absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing your pictures with us. I'm welling up with tears a bit just looking at your pictures. Randy really captured the love you both have for one another.

Did you write your own vows for the ceremony?

 

[quandrea]

Great update Joanne. I'm sitting here crying as I read it. I feel as though I was there looking at all your photos and reading your words. How longi did your ceremony last? I have to give some thought to the way our ceremony will unfold. I have a form to fill out and give to Karen.

I'm going to talk with my sister about photos and use some of the ideas I've seen here. I love the shots of the ceremony site and all the pics taken of your shoes, dress, flowers etc. It's such a nice way to remember the day. The candids taken during your ceremony are beautiful. We had mostly candids done at our wedding and the private moments during the ceremony were some of my favourites--so initmate, so real.

Personal question--What did you do for a bra? My dress has narrow straps and a low back, much like yours and I don't know what I'll wear. Any advice appreciated. Feel free to pm me if this is too private for public consumption.

 

[pixie921]

Amy sweetie - I hope you are feeling better!! I left a message for you, and a photo from Henry's graduation on the previous page of this TR. I don't know whether you will have noticed it because this installment started on a fresh page and, like me you probably just look at the latest page on a thread!! More to come!!

Oh, I'd missed it! I love that photo of you and Henry, and your message was so sweet. I'm so emotional the last few days (other stuff on top of losing Shep, ack!) that I burst into tears when I read it and saw the photo of you and him.

I love the new installment, especially the b&w shots of you and Paul. And I agree w/Andrea ... your writing style makes me feel like I was there with you. More, please!

 

[One_Song]

Reading your Velveteen Rabbit excerpt made me tear up a little. What an absolutely perfect reading for a VR. I love reading the VR PJs & TRs because they make me feel like my own marriage can be just as strong. It's so wonderful to see love stories, like yours, that really do last.

 

[Chilly]

Lovely reading, so fitting.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have to say I could feel a little tear or two falling as well. The ceremony was so beautiful even without being able to hear what went on.

By the way, I have committed myself to a Trash the Dress shoot, but one with a twist and best of all, it will take place inside Disneyland.

Corinna

 

[princess_ariel_85]

Just read page 1 right through to page 55 and I have one word to describe everything - Wow!

You look so beautiful and happy on your special day. Randy got some amazing shots of you all.

Can't wait to read more x

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Wow, your ceremony was absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing your pictures with us. I'm welling up with tears a bit just looking at your pictures. Randy really captured the love you both have for one another.

Did you write your own vows for the ceremony?

Great update Joanne. I'm sitting here crying as I read it. I feel as though I was there looking at all your photos and reading your words. How longi did your ceremony last? I have to give some thought to the way our ceremony will unfold. I have a form to fill out and give to Karen.

I'm going to talk with my sister about photos and use some of the ideas I've seen here. I love the shots of the ceremony site and all the pics taken of your shoes, dress, flowers etc. It's such a nice way to remember the day. The candids taken during your ceremony are beautiful. We had mostly candids done at our wedding and the private moments during the ceremony were some of my favourites--so initmate, so real.

Personal question--What did you do for a bra? My dress has narrow straps and a low back, much like yours and I don't know what I'll wear. Any advice appreciated. Feel free to pm me if this is too private for public consumption.

Oh, I'd missed it! I love that photo of you and Henry, and your message was so sweet. I'm so emotional the last few days (other stuff on top of losing Shep, ack!) that I burst into tears when I read it and saw the photo of you and him.

I love the new installment, especially the b&w shots of you and Paul. And I agree w/Andrea ... your writing style makes me feel like I was there with you. More, please!

Reading your Velveteen Rabbit excerpt made me tear up a little. What an absolutely perfect reading for a VR. I love reading the VR PJs & TRs because they make me feel like my own marriage can be just as strong. It's so wonderful to see love stories, like yours, that really do last.

Lovely reading, so fitting.

I have to say I could feel a little tear or two falling as well. The ceremony was so beautiful even without being able to hear what went on.

By the way, I have committed myself to a Trash the Dress shoot, but one with a twist and best of all, it will take place inside Disneyland.

Corinna

Just read page 1 right through to page 55 and I have one word to describe everything - Wow!

You look so beautiful and happy on your special day. Randy got some amazing shots of you all.

Can't wait to read more x

You girls are all so lovely and kind!!! Thank you all. It brightens my day to read all your kind comments!!

Jilian sweetie - Thank you!! It is a great honour to share the photos with all my disfriends, who have shown me so much love and support for many months now!! You know, Randy captures everything, but, amazingly, you hardly realize that he is there. Certainly during the ceremony I didn't notice him at all!!
We didn't write our vows. I told Rev Tim that I wanted the traditional vows we had at our original wedding (which he adapted slightly to fit the occasion)

Sweet Andrea - What a lovely post!! I am glad you felt like you were 'there' with us. I wish you all had been there in reality!!
I guess our ceremony was about 30 minutes (not entirely sure). I was originally going to 'pad it out' with a family sand ceremony, but was worried about getting the sand in it's glass container home on the plane, and in the end figured it may be more trouble than it was worth, so we shelved the idea.
I am sure that your sister will do a great job of capturing all the little details of your big day!!
Onto the bra problem!!! My dress was corseted (as most Maggie Sottero dresses are) and I am, unfortunately, not particularly blessed in the **** department, so the bridal boutique had said that a bra was not necessary. However, when it came to it, I actually ended up wearing some of those stick on cup things. I think it was for my own piece of mind more than anything else!!! They were comfortable and worked really well!!

Amy sweetie - Glad you enjoyed the photo!!! I was so proud of my boy!! I am sorry I made you cry though. I hope you are starting to feel a bit better now!! Thank you for your lovely comments!! Those b&w shots are amongst my favourites too!!

Michelle sweetie - Thank you so much!! I knew that excerpt from 'The Velveteen Rabbit' was perfect for our VR the moment I first read it!!
Paul and I are truly blessed in our relationship, and despite what some might say, marriages can last and get stronger and more fulfilling. I know our's has. I am sure your marriage will be just as wonderful!!

Claire sweetie - Thank you. It is fitting isn't it?

Sweet Corinna - Thank you!! i thought our ceremony was beautiful (but I guess I am biased)
Yay for the TTD!! I read about it on your PJ and it sounds like great fun. I take it that there will be no water or sand involved then.

princess ariel 85 - I am sorry I don't know your real name. Wow, I am honoured that you have had the patience to sit through 55 pages of my ramblings in one sitting. I am surprised you have not dropped off to sleep!! I am honoured to have you along and hope you will see it through to the bitter end!! Randy gets so many good shots - it is hard to pick which ones to post

 

[Mindyjoy]

Everything continues to be lovely.

 

[quandrea]

Hi Jonne. Thanks for the bra advice. Alas no chicken cutlets for me (that's what we call them here in Canada). I'm a little too busty for that. Back to the drawing board. I fear I may spend more on a bra than what I spent on my dress. It is so nice of you to respond to all of us in such detail.

DD wanted me to post the laundry lady because she says it matches my life.

 

[Jilian]

Quandrea, I hope you don't mind me answering the bra question. I started out with my own strapless bra from victoria's secret but then I tried on this @ David's bridal: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product...s-Longline-Bra-8704_Accessories-Lingerie-Bras and ended up buying it. It gave me such a great shape by smoothing out my waist and keeping everything in. I highly reccomend trying one on at your fitting.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Everything continues to be lovely.

Hi Jonne. Thanks for the bra advice. Alas no chicken cutlets for me (that's what we call them here in Canada). I'm a little too busty for that. Back to the drawing board. I fear I may spend more on a bra than what I spent on my dress. It is so nice of you to respond to all of us in such detail.

DD wanted me to post the laundry lady because she says it matches my life.

Quandrea, I hope you don't mind me answering the bra question. I started out with my own strapless bra from victoria's secret but then I tried on this @ David's bridal: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product...s-Longline-Bra-8704_Accessories-Lingerie-Bras and ended up buying it. It gave me such a great shape by smoothing out my waist and keeping everything in. I highly reccomend trying one on at your fitting.

Sweet Mindy - Thank you hun

Andrea sweetie - No, I don't mean chicken fillets (at least I don't think I do). In the UK we call those things you stuff in your bra to enhance your cleavage, chicken fillets, because that is exactly what they look like!! No, no I didn't wear those!! I would be terrified of them falling out!! What I wore is like a strapless and backless bra - just the cups (which look like normal bra cups) which you use under your bust for support and they adhere to your skin by means of a re-usable, jelly-like adhesive strip which sticks under your bust. Argh - not a good description, but I hope you get the drift!!

Jilian sweetie - Thanks for helping out!!