10 years.

On Friday 3rd November 2000 at 5pm in St. Cuthbert's Church in Blyth, Pete and I were married. 10 years ago today! We chose a teatime wedding for a few reasons - it was different, it was simple, it wasn't such a long day and it was a bit less expensive as it meant only hiring the venue (The Grand Hotel, Tynemouth) for the evening instead of the whole day - it was a wedding on a budget but non the less enjoyable and special. We chose to have a hot buffet instead of a traditional meal served at the table, and everyone who came to the wedding was there for the whole thing rather than have additional evening guests. I made my own wedding invitations - that's what got me started papercrafting! I bought the fabrics and my Aunty Pam designed and made my dress and the dresses of the bridesmaids, and Karen's Mam made Erins flower girl dress. Aunty Pam also made our wonderful cake and Uncle Stuart took our photos! Our friend Jo Cole (a jeweller) who made my engagement ring also custom made our wedding rings and the jewellery I wore on the day. All the flowers came from the florists in Seaton Deleval (just off the roundabout at the top of the Avenue) and were wonderful, just what I wanted and a bargain compared with a couple of other quotes we got. The lovely ladies of the church decorated it beautifully the night before with fabulous floral displays. I walked to the church on my Dads arm as we lived just across the road about 100yds from it, so no need for wedding cars. We hired a coach to transport our guests to the reception, and Pete and I drove ourselves along as we were staying in the Hotel overnight. The venue came with a DJ and disco all in, but we also had our friends 'The Buskers' play, Keith did a few songs for us and Pete, Maddog, and a few other folks got up and sang as well. The table decorations were balloons rather than flowers, in navy, silver and lavender blue to match the wedding attire. To avoid having to choose between his 4 bothers, Pete chose his friends Jase and Maddog as ushers. Baps was always going to be Best man. I chose Rachel (my friend) and Rachel (our Niece) as Bridesmaids and my God-daughter Erin who was just 2 as flower girl. We had the honeymoon suite in the hotel for the night and a few guests and other members of the wedding party were also staying over. It was a crisp, fresh evening, clear skies and twinkling stars and the beginning of a frost as I walked to the church with my Dad. Just as were were finishing the speeches, someone started a firework display on Tynemouth beach - we didn't plan it, but it was obviously meant to be, and our guests watched from the windows. Quite a lot of the ceremony and the reception is now a blur, too much excitement and wine I think! but I know I enjoyed every moment and looking back on the photos now I am reminded of how I felt and how happy everyone was and that it was lovely lovely occasion shared by our families and many good friends.

Happy Anniversary to us! and here's to the rest of our lives together *cheers* Pete and I are off out for a celebratory lunch!