Well, hasn't it been a while? So much has changed in the past month-my name for a start!
We eased ourselves gently back into normal life last week so i thought it only fair that i now get around to up-dating my blog and filling you all in on how our long-awaited wedding day actually went.
In a word: 'BRILLIANT'!
The whole day was fantastic, a dream come true! It all went perfectly and was totally worth all the months of planning that went into it! There is so much to tell that i could probably write quite a lengthy novel just about the day itself but instead i will keep it short and give you the main high-lights of our magical day!
Enjoy!
Firstly, Positano is beautiful. We spent a week there, staying in the hotel Bougainville on the main street with various family and friends. There was a lovely atmosphere and we had 5 days in Pos before the wedding day, during which time we visited Capri, Ravello and Pompeii as well as exploring the winding lanes of Positano itself.
The evening before the big day most of our guests were in Positano and we all went out for dinner to celebrate and so that everyone could get to know one another. We chose L’Incanto on the sea front as we had had a great night there earlier in the week. However, on this particular night it seemed very quiet and there wasn’t the fun atmosphere we had previously experienced, plus, nerves were beginning to kick in for me and I found it hard to eat! Not to worry though, we soon moved on up the hill to La Zagara for a few drinks and everyone had a great time taking snaps and reminiscing! I had planned an early night but what with all the catching up it was more like 1am when mum and I made it up to bed. H2B had been made to move into his own room for the night in keeping with tradition and I spent the night having the typical emotional chat with my mother! We were so tired from a day spent sight-seeing in Pompeii though, that we did fall asleep without any problem!
So I woke on the day of my wedding to a view of the sun rising and lighting up all the pretty white houses on the hill-side and in perfect eye-line,-the town hall- where later that day I would be married! I’ll never forget it!
We got up and dressed and headed out for breakfast-making sure to text H2B to let him know where I was going to avoid bumping in to him! The plan was to go to a florist that I had seen up in the upper part of town near the town hall and choose some fresh stems to carry instead of a bouquet. So after what we could stomach of breakfast we made our way up the 550 steps and met the florist-Aldo of Flora Garden- who had also been recommended to me. I told him what I wanted and he suggested a hand-made bouquet which he would make and have delivered to my hotel later that day to keep them fresh. Not knowing what to expect I said yes and we headed back down the hill to start getting ready.
It was a beautiful hot day so at 11, when a pre-booked manicurist arrived at the hotel-myself and several of the girls sat out on my balcony drinking Prosecco and having our nails done! Pure bliss! And I have to say the pampering was really relaxing. After a shower one of my friends did my hair for me and that too was lovely. During this time my bouquet was delivered and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was with it! It was utterly perfect, in white and yellow which would also match perfectly with the flowers I had ordered for the reception in white’s and lemon’s! Then everyone was off to get ready themselves, H2B was across the road having a pint with the boys and he seemed calm enough. I stayed really calm, did all I had to do and eventually I was ready!I then helped mum to get ready and we waited eagerly for the wedding car to arrive-everyone else had already gone by mini-bus.
With no sign of the car coming we decided we’d better walk down and wait in reception. It was as I made my way, in my dress, down the flight of steps that the emotion of the whole thing finally hit me and I started to cry! Well, it was more like hyperventilating to be honest! The young man at reception told us the car was there and had been waiting for some time and then saw how emotional I was and looked as if he was going to cry himself! He told me I looked beautiful and that I had chosen the most beautiful place on earth to get married and I couldn’t have agreed with that more!
In the car I cried some more, so much so that mum was worried I’d changed my mind! But after a few minutes looking out at the beautiful view as we drove to the town hall I slowly calmed down and as we pulled up at the steps I was perfectly calm and couldn’t wait to see my H2B!
Some ‘before’ shots with Massimo, our photographer and I was ready! Everyone says take a minute to try and take everything in and I did. I remember it all so clearly. We played Take That’s Greatest day as mum and I walked through the town hall out to the terrace where everyone was waiting, Massimo snapping away and me smiling! H2B had his back to me, afraid to turn around, but when I reached him he kissed me and we took our seats at the lovely table and I felt so comfortable and it all seemed so right! No more nerves!
The ceremony was really lovely! Performed by Silvana from the town hall and Rosa, our translator together they had incorporated all the legal stuff with our own words and readings. They made it interesting and funny, even the serious bits, and we had 2 lovely witnesses who read our readings-‘Love’ by Roy Croft and ‘A lovely Love Story’ by Edward Monkton-the second of which had everyone in tears of laughter and both meant so much to us!
The sun shone for the whole ceremony and afterwards we were presented with various gifts including a beautiful wedding tile and parchment from the town hall, and a printed copy of our ceremony from Rosa. Just as we were finishing, the heavens opened and there was a quick shower-but we had hoped for this because in Italy they say –a wet wife-a happy life!
We all ran inside where we had pre-arranged, with bar international around the corner, a champagne toast for everyone! This was a great way to end the ceremony which everyone said was really personal and special.
After that some group pictures before our transport took us out to a local viewing spot to get more pictures of everyone. We had a great laugh as lots of Japanese tourist tried to get in the shots! Then the guests were whisked away to mamma Agata’s to start the cocktail reception while we went with our photographer to various parts of Positano to have some great pictures taken! We really felt like film stars! It was so much fun!
After that our lovely driver Carmine of Amalfi-Drive took us out to meet the guests at Mamma’s. He was so nice, telling us all about the sights as we passed and we were on a complete high at this point although starving!
Arriving at mamma’s we were thrilled! The place looked wonderful, the table set up with our flowers and Lemon sweet favours with some lovely extra touches from Chiara! Our theme was lemons as they are so traditional in this part of the world and our floral arrangements actually had lemons in them, and there were candles and jewels strewn all over with other little favours from Chiara! The plates were the traditional ones of the area, all different and unusual designs which we loved! Out on the garden everyone was enjoying the food and Prosecco! So much food we couldn’t believe! All being freshly made and delivered to the table by Mario, Chiara’s lovely little boy! He was a huge hit with the guests! Pizza, deep fried vegetables, breads, cheeses, ham’s and much, much more kept on coming and coming! Everyone was amazed!
Then, when we decided we were ready, Chiara called us all to the table to begin the sit-down meal. The views from here were out of this world and it was perfect to sit and watch the sun set on the beautiful Coast! The first of the wines were served and they really were very good wines! Chiara explained as we began, where they were from and why we had chosen them, which was a lovely touch. Starters were huge and everyone loved them-deep fried zucchini flower and eggplant parmasiana! We all did our best but knew we had to leave room as there was more to come! They even brought around seconds!
After the starters we decided to have a couple of speeches. As it was an informal wedding we had no best man as such and we had decided we would speak ourselves! I went first! Needless to say it was very emotional! We presented our mothers with some gifts then H2B (or should I say Husband now?!)) spoke. Again, very emotional!
The pasta course we had chosen had local sausage on the side-delicious! Then came Mamma’s Lemon Chicken and a change of wines. It was so simple yet beautifully flavoured and the taste of the Amalfi lemon’s made it scrummy! Rosemary potatoes and salad accompanied and everyone loved it! Again Chiara explained the choice of wine and this wine was truly divine! We were given a bottle to bring home and we plan to get a case of it shipped over!
Between courses everyone was up chatting and taking pictures, the atmosphere was wonderful. Chiara came out and chatted with different guests and made everyone feel at home. She really looked after everyone and there was never an empty glass or need of anything!
Then came the traditional cutting of the cake and champagne toast!We had chosen to have mamma’s famous fabulous lemon cake as our wedding cake and it was brought out beautifully decorated with flowers and petals! It was now dark as we cut the cake and we were surrounded by glittering candle light, with everyone standing around clapping and snapping and then we toasted with a glass of delicious sweet pink champagne which was everyone’s favourite! After the champagne they then served limoncello to everyone too with the cake which was a nice traditional touch. Chiara also presented us with a lovely keep-sake! We then talked and danced and laughed the night away and everyone had a ball until like Cinderella the buses returned and it was time for the Amalfi Drive home! It did take ages to say all of our good-byes first though!
The only down-side was that on the journey home, with so much food and drink inside them, some of our guests suffered travel sickness and had to stop! But none of them minded. As it was after midnight when we got back to Positano most of our guests decided to call it a night (some had to go on further to Sorrento!) so six of us headed off to Music on the Rocks to dance until dawn! I was a bit of a spectacle in my wedding dress on the dance floor of the gorgeous night-club, but so many people came over to wish us well it was very nice!
Then we walked back through town to the hotel with lots more well-wishing and opened another bottle of Prosecco on our balcony! It was shortly after this that I gave up and called it a night, so, leaving the rest to chat I curled up on our bed still in my dress and fell happily off to sleep!
What a fantastic day! So special! Positano will always hold a special place in our hearts, not only because it is the place where we got married, but also because we were treated so brilliantly by all of the Italians who shared our day with us!
I can’t recommend getting married on the Amalfi Coast enough-in particular warm and pretty Positano! And we just can’t wait to go back and spend our first anniversary there too!
And now it's all just a perfect memory. Good luck to all of you planning your weddings, i hope your day is as special as ours was. Keep in touch...
We eased ourselves gently back into normal life last week so i thought it only fair that i now get around to up-dating my blog and filling you all in on how our long-awaited wedding day actually went.
In a word: 'BRILLIANT'!
The whole day was fantastic, a dream come true! It all went perfectly and was totally worth all the months of planning that went into it! There is so much to tell that i could probably write quite a lengthy novel just about the day itself but instead i will keep it short and give you the main high-lights of our magical day!
Enjoy!
Firstly, Positano is beautiful. We spent a week there, staying in the hotel Bougainville on the main street with various family and friends. There was a lovely atmosphere and we had 5 days in Pos before the wedding day, during which time we visited Capri, Ravello and Pompeii as well as exploring the winding lanes of Positano itself.
The evening before the big day most of our guests were in Positano and we all went out for dinner to celebrate and so that everyone could get to know one another. We chose L’Incanto on the sea front as we had had a great night there earlier in the week. However, on this particular night it seemed very quiet and there wasn’t the fun atmosphere we had previously experienced, plus, nerves were beginning to kick in for me and I found it hard to eat! Not to worry though, we soon moved on up the hill to La Zagara for a few drinks and everyone had a great time taking snaps and reminiscing! I had planned an early night but what with all the catching up it was more like 1am when mum and I made it up to bed. H2B had been made to move into his own room for the night in keeping with tradition and I spent the night having the typical emotional chat with my mother! We were so tired from a day spent sight-seeing in Pompeii though, that we did fall asleep without any problem!
So I woke on the day of my wedding to a view of the sun rising and lighting up all the pretty white houses on the hill-side and in perfect eye-line,-the town hall- where later that day I would be married! I’ll never forget it!
We got up and dressed and headed out for breakfast-making sure to text H2B to let him know where I was going to avoid bumping in to him! The plan was to go to a florist that I had seen up in the upper part of town near the town hall and choose some fresh stems to carry instead of a bouquet. So after what we could stomach of breakfast we made our way up the 550 steps and met the florist-Aldo of Flora Garden- who had also been recommended to me. I told him what I wanted and he suggested a hand-made bouquet which he would make and have delivered to my hotel later that day to keep them fresh. Not knowing what to expect I said yes and we headed back down the hill to start getting ready.
It was a beautiful hot day so at 11, when a pre-booked manicurist arrived at the hotel-myself and several of the girls sat out on my balcony drinking Prosecco and having our nails done! Pure bliss! And I have to say the pampering was really relaxing. After a shower one of my friends did my hair for me and that too was lovely. During this time my bouquet was delivered and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was with it! It was utterly perfect, in white and yellow which would also match perfectly with the flowers I had ordered for the reception in white’s and lemon’s! Then everyone was off to get ready themselves, H2B was across the road having a pint with the boys and he seemed calm enough. I stayed really calm, did all I had to do and eventually I was ready!I then helped mum to get ready and we waited eagerly for the wedding car to arrive-everyone else had already gone by mini-bus.
With no sign of the car coming we decided we’d better walk down and wait in reception. It was as I made my way, in my dress, down the flight of steps that the emotion of the whole thing finally hit me and I started to cry! Well, it was more like hyperventilating to be honest! The young man at reception told us the car was there and had been waiting for some time and then saw how emotional I was and looked as if he was going to cry himself! He told me I looked beautiful and that I had chosen the most beautiful place on earth to get married and I couldn’t have agreed with that more!
In the car I cried some more, so much so that mum was worried I’d changed my mind! But after a few minutes looking out at the beautiful view as we drove to the town hall I slowly calmed down and as we pulled up at the steps I was perfectly calm and couldn’t wait to see my H2B!
Some ‘before’ shots with Massimo, our photographer and I was ready! Everyone says take a minute to try and take everything in and I did. I remember it all so clearly. We played Take That’s Greatest day as mum and I walked through the town hall out to the terrace where everyone was waiting, Massimo snapping away and me smiling! H2B had his back to me, afraid to turn around, but when I reached him he kissed me and we took our seats at the lovely table and I felt so comfortable and it all seemed so right! No more nerves!
The ceremony was really lovely! Performed by Silvana from the town hall and Rosa, our translator together they had incorporated all the legal stuff with our own words and readings. They made it interesting and funny, even the serious bits, and we had 2 lovely witnesses who read our readings-‘Love’ by Roy Croft and ‘A lovely Love Story’ by Edward Monkton-the second of which had everyone in tears of laughter and both meant so much to us!
The sun shone for the whole ceremony and afterwards we were presented with various gifts including a beautiful wedding tile and parchment from the town hall, and a printed copy of our ceremony from Rosa. Just as we were finishing, the heavens opened and there was a quick shower-but we had hoped for this because in Italy they say –a wet wife-a happy life!
We all ran inside where we had pre-arranged, with bar international around the corner, a champagne toast for everyone! This was a great way to end the ceremony which everyone said was really personal and special.
After that some group pictures before our transport took us out to a local viewing spot to get more pictures of everyone. We had a great laugh as lots of Japanese tourist tried to get in the shots! Then the guests were whisked away to mamma Agata’s to start the cocktail reception while we went with our photographer to various parts of Positano to have some great pictures taken! We really felt like film stars! It was so much fun!
After that our lovely driver Carmine of Amalfi-Drive took us out to meet the guests at Mamma’s. He was so nice, telling us all about the sights as we passed and we were on a complete high at this point although starving!
Arriving at mamma’s we were thrilled! The place looked wonderful, the table set up with our flowers and Lemon sweet favours with some lovely extra touches from Chiara! Our theme was lemons as they are so traditional in this part of the world and our floral arrangements actually had lemons in them, and there were candles and jewels strewn all over with other little favours from Chiara! The plates were the traditional ones of the area, all different and unusual designs which we loved! Out on the garden everyone was enjoying the food and Prosecco! So much food we couldn’t believe! All being freshly made and delivered to the table by Mario, Chiara’s lovely little boy! He was a huge hit with the guests! Pizza, deep fried vegetables, breads, cheeses, ham’s and much, much more kept on coming and coming! Everyone was amazed!
Then, when we decided we were ready, Chiara called us all to the table to begin the sit-down meal. The views from here were out of this world and it was perfect to sit and watch the sun set on the beautiful Coast! The first of the wines were served and they really were very good wines! Chiara explained as we began, where they were from and why we had chosen them, which was a lovely touch. Starters were huge and everyone loved them-deep fried zucchini flower and eggplant parmasiana! We all did our best but knew we had to leave room as there was more to come! They even brought around seconds!
After the starters we decided to have a couple of speeches. As it was an informal wedding we had no best man as such and we had decided we would speak ourselves! I went first! Needless to say it was very emotional! We presented our mothers with some gifts then H2B (or should I say Husband now?!)) spoke. Again, very emotional!
The pasta course we had chosen had local sausage on the side-delicious! Then came Mamma’s Lemon Chicken and a change of wines. It was so simple yet beautifully flavoured and the taste of the Amalfi lemon’s made it scrummy! Rosemary potatoes and salad accompanied and everyone loved it! Again Chiara explained the choice of wine and this wine was truly divine! We were given a bottle to bring home and we plan to get a case of it shipped over!
Between courses everyone was up chatting and taking pictures, the atmosphere was wonderful. Chiara came out and chatted with different guests and made everyone feel at home. She really looked after everyone and there was never an empty glass or need of anything!
Then came the traditional cutting of the cake and champagne toast!We had chosen to have mamma’s famous fabulous lemon cake as our wedding cake and it was brought out beautifully decorated with flowers and petals! It was now dark as we cut the cake and we were surrounded by glittering candle light, with everyone standing around clapping and snapping and then we toasted with a glass of delicious sweet pink champagne which was everyone’s favourite! After the champagne they then served limoncello to everyone too with the cake which was a nice traditional touch. Chiara also presented us with a lovely keep-sake! We then talked and danced and laughed the night away and everyone had a ball until like Cinderella the buses returned and it was time for the Amalfi Drive home! It did take ages to say all of our good-byes first though!
The only down-side was that on the journey home, with so much food and drink inside them, some of our guests suffered travel sickness and had to stop! But none of them minded. As it was after midnight when we got back to Positano most of our guests decided to call it a night (some had to go on further to Sorrento!) so six of us headed off to Music on the Rocks to dance until dawn! I was a bit of a spectacle in my wedding dress on the dance floor of the gorgeous night-club, but so many people came over to wish us well it was very nice!
Then we walked back through town to the hotel with lots more well-wishing and opened another bottle of Prosecco on our balcony! It was shortly after this that I gave up and called it a night, so, leaving the rest to chat I curled up on our bed still in my dress and fell happily off to sleep!
What a fantastic day! So special! Positano will always hold a special place in our hearts, not only because it is the place where we got married, but also because we were treated so brilliantly by all of the Italians who shared our day with us!
I can’t recommend getting married on the Amalfi Coast enough-in particular warm and pretty Positano! And we just can’t wait to go back and spend our first anniversary there too!
And now it's all just a perfect memory. Good luck to all of you planning your weddings, i hope your day is as special as ours was. Keep in touch...
