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Things are absolutely MANIC behind the scenes here at Brides Up North HQ right now, with a burgeoning supplier Directory (check out the region’s finest suppliers), a jam packed inbox absolutely bursting with pretty, a diary full of fabulous events, invitations and freelance deadlines and four more spectacular wedding exhibitions to plan and deliver before the end of October.

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Despite all the busyness and excitement – and it is exciting: I LOVE my job – the best part of my day is still sitting down to blog my reader’s real wedding features.  Each one is so filled with love and hope, and they never fail to put a smile on my face. 

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This afternoon’s real wedding was sent to me by real bride Sarah and Jonathan M McGee Photography.  I hope you enjoy reading Sarah’s story. 

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Sarah says:  We got engaged in Scarborough on a beautiful March day, 26^th March 2010 and we married on Saturday 24^th March 2012, we chose this date as we had got engaged two years earlier and the time of year had always been so beautiful with daffodils in bloom and beautiful little lambs in the fields.

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We were so lucky, at the beginning of the day there was some morning mist but by the time I pulled up to the Church the sun started to break through.

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We chose to marry at Priory Church, Bolton Abbey with the reception at The Devonshire Arms.  Bolton Abbey means something to both of us not only do we spend weekends going for walks here we both spent time as children with our own families there.  The setting is so picturesque and we both feel at home here with it not being far from where we live.

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We chose a colour scheme of coral and cream with a blend of green as an accent colour.  We didn’t have a specific theme, but new we wanted to keep it simple and classic and for our guests to enjoy themselves.

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My wedding dress was made by Suzanne Neville, with beautiful pure silk and exquisite Swarovski crystal straps and gorgeous button detail at the back. After trying on thirty or more dresses I actually found my perfect dress in the shop closes to where we live.  I got it from The Bridal Boutique in Guiseley:  every time we drove passed Nick kept saying my dress was in there but I wanted to shop around and it was the last shop I went too! My veil was something borrowed from Nick’s sister Claire who got married a year earlier so this was very special.

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My bridesmaids wore fitted coral dresses, bought online. One of my bridesmaids Emma had a baby just ten days before, she did amazingly well!  Nick and the groomsmen wore new silk mix morning suits (after Nick wore his fire officer’s uniform for the ceremony) and Nick wore an ivory cravat.  The suits were from Greenwoods.

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I travelled to the church with my dad from The Devonshire Arms by a vintage silver-grey Daimler hired from Lavelle Classics.   

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My flowers were beautiful and exactly how I had imagined, with a combination of coral and cream roses with lilies and pearls added in, from The Flower Room in Eccleshill.

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Our wedding service was the most special and treasured part of our day from saying our vows – which we learnt off by heart, I was so nervous (I still can’t believe we remembered all of the words!) – to my brother, Nick sister and Nick’s Dad doing readings which really brought a tear to my eyes. Then my brothers and sister and Nick’s sister signed the register so it really was a family affair!

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With Nick being a fire officer and getting married in uniform Nick surprised the guests and I with a fire engine to take us as a married couple from the Church to the reception; this was my first time in a fire engine!

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To add a bit of fun to the drinks reception we had a dress up box of wigs and glasses – a bit of fancy dress, photographed by Nicks cousin Ben which also kept him busy throughout the day!

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We also did stand up bingo as part of the reception, we wanted to do something slightly different for the wedding favours so we put the money together and the prize was a meal for two in a restaurant in Ilkley.

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We had a four tier square cake with coral flower detail and every tier was different from carrot to chocolate to lemon and then vanilla sponge.  This was made by Val who makes cakes for friends and family.

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For the evening entertainment we decided we wanted a funky band and picked Capone online, we were a bit apprehensive with not seeing them live beforehand but they really were excellent and really did make the night, with the dance floor full all night.  Our first dance was Florence and the Machine’s ‘You got the Love’ and the band did a fabulous rendition of this.

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We jetted off on the Monday to New York where we spent three days as ‘proper tourists’ and went to all the big tourist attractions as well as a Broadway show and tasted the nightlife in a proper New York jazz bar.  Then we had a spot of real luxury with a 12 night luxury cruise sailing from New York around the Caribbean, stopping at St Lucia, St Kitts and Antigua amongst others.

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My top tip for other Brides Up North would be that no matter how things have gone up to the big day whether you’ve had family supporting you or family getting involved too much or maybe no support at all remember that it’s your day and your marrying the man you love. Everyone is there because you mean so much to them, and they want the best for you both. The day goes so fast so make sure when it does come to yours that you forget about the little things and you enjoy every second of the day as it really will be the best day of your life.

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Congratulations Sarah & Nick!

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Get in touch if you would like to see your Real Wedding featured on Brides Up North!

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Jonathan M McGee Photography

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