Hello Wednesday!

My favourite part of our wedding was the ceremony itself. We were lucky enough to get married in St John’s RC Cathedral in Norwich, which was a really beautiful venue.

Because it is so big, where we were standing was quite far in front of where all the guests were sitting, which meant that it really felt like we were the only ones in there at some points which was really nice (not that it was nice to feel like we didn’t have any guests but it didn’t feel as overwhelming!

We had 3 hyms, ‘Vow to Thee My Country’, which is my favourite, ‘Amazing Grace’, which was my Nanna and Poppa’s favourite (so it was nice to remember them with), and ‘How Great Though Art’, which was Matt’s Grandma’s favourite.

We had two readings. The first was our religious reading, which was a selection of several parts from ‘Song of Solomon’. This was read very beautifully by Charlotte (hurray!), as you can see in the picture above! The second was ‘Why Marriage’ by Mari Nicols Hanning. This was read by our friend Obi. We felt this summed up our reasons for wanting to get married perfectly. It reads:

Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,
With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body…

Because with this understanding
The possibilities are limitless.

Matt also read this as part of his speech later on, which was lovely.

Everyone said that we looked like we were having a really good time during the ceremony, but to be honest I think it was more we couldn’t help laugh, as several things went slightly askew… first the microphone cut out as we were walking down the aisle (it went boom quite loudly, I thought for one minute it was a sign, ha!), so a lot of people couldn’t quite hear us, which to be honest was just as well in one part, where Father James got my surname wrong! It was just like Four Weddings and a Funeral! Hahaha!

As I said my name right – we were all ok (although we did have to check with the registrar)!

Matthew also tripped over my veil when we walked up to do our vows – bless him, it was rather long, I think he got confused…

We then got all of Matthew’s younger cousins to do the bidding prayers, which was nice because it got them all involved in the ceremony.

We walked back up the aisle to ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles (the organist played it for us, it sounded lovely).

I loved our ceremony – try and take it all in because it goes so fast! It is why you are there and the reason why all your friends and family are there too – there is no need to be nervous at all.

Next up – our part-ay!

Love

Emma xxx

For our Guest Blog today, please welcome Maggie Mayfair!

Maggie Mayfair has a website specialising in Groom and Bride Wedding Speeches & Insider Tips and Secrets on How to Prepare a Meaningful and Inspiring Wedding Speech!
Much needed advice from an industry expert…

Hello all – I’m Maggie Mayfair!
I’m passionate about weddings and wedding speeches. To make sure everything went smoothly on your big day without any hassles, including the preparation and delivery of the groom and bride wedding speeches, I’ve compiled these insider tips and secrets for Charlotte’s and Emma’s loyal readers.

Most Important Person in Your Life – Your Lovely Bride or Your Dashing Husband

Groom
First of all tell your bride how lovely and absolutely gorgeous she looked
as she came down the aisle and how she took your breath away. You can also tell her that you find it hard to speak because of the gigantic lump in your throat and she will be genuinely touched.

Bride
Assure your husband of your love and devotion and how you look forward to your new life together. Also mention the special things you appreciate about him and
of course how dashing he look.

Thank Your Loving Parents
Extend warm and heartfelt thanks to your parents for the role they played in bringing you up and for their unconditional love, support and encouragement over the years. Make it personal and think of funny incidents when you were growing up.

Assure Your In-Laws
It is probably wise to assure your in-laws of your love and devotion to their daughter/son. Reassure them that you will take good care of him/her. When speaking about your in-laws, make them feel part of your new extended family and mention special things they did for you.

Special Welcome and Thanks To Your Guests
Extend a warm welcome to your guests and tell them that their presence made this day very special for you. Also thank them for the lovely gifts you as the newlyweds received.

Don’t Forget Your Wedding Party Members
No Groom or Bride Wedding Speech can be complete without mentioning your best man and the bridesmaids as well as the rest of your wedding party. It is only appropriate to make them feel special and mention them. You can also present them with a small gift if you feel like it.

Be Unique
Make sure your wedding speech express your unique personality and comes from your heart. You don’t have to deliver a prize winning speech, a few simple but sincere words are sufficient to relay what you think and feel.

Relax and Enjoy
When delivering your groom or bride wedding speech relax and speak
from your heart. Enjoy this special day with your new husband/wife, family and friends. Savor every moment and enjoy yourself!

For excellent and professional examples of wedding speeches and toasts as well as personalized wedding vows and poems wedding speech templates, jokes, one liners, and meaningful wedding quotations visit http://www.weddingspeechesandtoasts.net for all the resources you need to write an amazing and stunning wedding speeches in just a few minutes!

Much Love,
Maggie Mayfair

Groan.
Its my first day back at work after 2 weeks off.. ouch! But Happy Monday one & all! Hopefully you will find today’s post helpful. I haven’t been totally lazing around, unfortunately…

As you may know if you have been following us for a while, I am getting marreid in my Dad’s church in Dover! Its a fantastic extra touch to our Big Day! I’m so lucky to have my dad to give me away & perform the ceremony! Its an added bonus as it will help to keep us both calm… phew.
They have even been re-decortating the church. So many people have offered to help… Nick has offered his Hog Roast skills & Lindsay offered to arrange all the flowers. He certainly has a really nice congregation & I’m getting to know them all better during the preperations!!

I realise we don’t all get this helping hand. Lots of people ask me about getting married in a church…..
Well, here’s my guide to getting married in a a Church of England.
Please note this is a guide, each church is slightly different but I want you to have a rough guide of what to expect!

Where do I start?

Choose your church.
Most people know which churchthey would like to be married in but you can have alook around to see which one you like.
When you have the church, contact the vicar. They are always registered & most have the vicar’s details outside the church.
The vicar will ask you to come & meet him to discuss the ceremony further & to get to know you. He or she will guide you though their order of service & allow you to add your personal elements.
Most are refreshingly flexible!

Meeting the Vicar
At the meeting an Application Form will be completed with details of the Bridegroom and Bride.

Questions you will be asked are:
• Your full names
• Age at date of Marriage
• Have you been Baptised
• Have you previously been Married
• Your profession/occupation
• Your address
• How long have you lived there
• Contact Telephone number
• Name of your parish church
• Father’s Name
• Father’s occupation
A date will be registered for the Marriage.

The dates for the reading of the Banns of Marriage will be made.
A wedding rehearsal date will be agreed.

What are we paying for? How much and How do we pay?

Each Parish is different so you can ask the vicar all the questions but here is a guide to what you will be paying for…

The cost of a Church wedding will comprise of a number of charges, which are set by Archbishops’ Council and the Parish Church.

The charges are for the following:
• Reading the Banns of Marriage
• Banns Certificate
• The Marriage Service
• An Organist (you can provide your own if you know someone who is willing to play for you)
• A Verger to arranged the Church building for the wedding and is available on the day of the Wedding.
• There may be additional charges for heating if the wedding takes place during colder seasons

An estimate of the total cost will be given at the first contact with the vicar.

Hummm, quite a few things I hadn’t thought of!
I know people who have been quoted £400 in total excluding choirs, but it varies. I also know that you will be expected to make the full payment beforehand, but again the vicar with advise you on this. This shouldn’t be something you pay for on the day. Normally they take a deposit & the balance will be due before or at the rehersal. Again, they are flexible & very helpful so get down to your vicar asap & check it all out.

Also, its important to know that if you have a favourite/ family vicar, but want to get married in another church- with some negotiation, it can be done- quite easily normally! Fab.

I have also been looking into a few very cool & unusaul venues to share with you soon.

Heavenly…
Charlotte xx

If you have anything you would like to recommend- let me know!
Charlotte@electricwedding.co.uk

Big shout out to St Matin’s Church, Dover, their cool-as-cucumber vicar & their rocking congregation!!

Today I am day-dreaming about my wedding reception. It really is a day-dream as I haven’t even decided on the venue….
In my day-dream i am sat at our table at the reception or as some call it, wedding breakfast. To my left is my lovely HUSBAND, he, he, he & all our family & friends are matching my grin.

Just in front our table (its in the centre of the others) I can see my friends from Australia, who have flown all that way, then I see my friend from Lieceter who I have an amazing history with since we met in Sydney.
On the table to my left are my Godparents, ahhh lovely & as I glance back to my table I see my sister. This is the point I start welling up.
All these people here for me to acknowledge & who is rambling on? The best man!
What about these loved ones? How do I tell my sister how amazing she is? The best man can’t do that, not even Rob can do her justice.
Oh.
I just don’t feel lots of drink & cake really emphasises my feelings for them all.

Then it comes to me. I can make a speech.
Genius.
But where do I start? How do I do this? Its not ‘traditional’ & I have never seen the bride do a speech before.
Anyhoo, here’s the plan.

* Write a list of those I want to thank
* Make sure it includes his family & Best man (Its polite)
* Give each person one comment
* Give 3 people an extra comment
* Let it be natural
* Only write down names, not a speech, just so you don’t forget them all
Test the speech, if you are like me, gush plenty- all very natural. How long did that take, oh, 10 mins? Eeek

* Keep it to 5 mins

I need to make a speech & thank these people. Its my day too & as Rob always tells me “do whatever makes you happy” and Emma says “All you need is Love”.. no, not that one… “Its YOUR DAY, there are NO rules”
I am so taken with this idea & will mentally practice everyday, well nearly, I am waiting another 16 months.

What do you think? Bride to make a speech or do you prefer to stick to just the traditional Groom’s speech?
Any tips for me?!
info@electricwedding.co.uk

Charlotte xx