There was an official flag signing and then there was the alternative…

LMAO Hoppy… you’re naughty!

How do you write a blog entry about your own wedding? It’s hard! lol It was such a big day and I know that I have so many people to thank and appreciate – I wouldn’t want to miss anyone out and I am sure they all know who they are and how much LOF and I appreciated all their help and support in the lead up to the BIG day.

The day was wonderful, the weather was freakishly amazing and we both had a great time! In the end, despite all the doubts and worries about the weather the day went exactly as we’d imagined it and we really loved the relaxed and calm atmosphere that resulted.

The strangest part about the whole day was the fact that I was being called Mrs Woodward and someone’s wife! I wasn’t at all sure about that!! lol Alas, Miss Clarke is no more and has now been replaced with Mrs Woodward; don’t worry though, all that’s changed is the name – not even being married has made me grow up!

I thought I was going to be late for the civil ceremony after the fathing and flapping of the morning. The cat almost ensured we were late by choosing that moment to go outside and wedge himself under a bush. It was most amusing to see mum and dad in their posh froks trying to coax a kitten from a bush! lol In the end Matt was the one who was a little late!

The civil ceremony was quick and simple. We met with the registras at 12:15 – they were a bit grumpy to start with – we warmed them up and by 12:30 we were agreeing to “take” each other. Now at this point LOF seemed to get the giggles…I thought this was just the excitement of it all and caught
these giggles in return – just as they said his middle name. Over tea yesterday however, i was informed that Matt thought I was laughing because I was saying that i would “take” him in front of his family… apparently that’s why he was laughing!! OMG even in a situation like that his bizarre thoughts take control.

Two other amusing elements occurred: My dress just would not stay up, despite numerous pieces of lingerie tape and as a result most of the images of the civil ceremony involve my bra and when the registrar said “and I believe there is a tradition at this point” Matt looked confused until I leaned in for a kiss – Bless. You wouldn’t expect anything less really would you! lol We were having too much fun to take it all too seriously

After the civil we separated for an hour and half whilst we got all beautiful for the blessing. I was in the room on the ground floor and so could see all of you arriving on the drive and lawn. My nan was sat just outside the window at one point and none of you had any idea that I was so close! I wanted to wave but somehow managed to resit the urge! It was really cool to have all my hair and make-up done for me and to have my hens clucking around They’re all ace! I was really excited that Hoppy had turned up early as I wanted her to come hang out with me while I got ready – that was ace!

Seeing everyone gather was really scary and I was so worried that I’d end up forgetting to take my vows with me to the top of the aisle! It was more scary however when everyone disappeared and SPAN started to say “They’ve gone! Oh my god they must be seated! It’s about to start!” her voice slightly more raised than usual .

When the Manor man came to get me we went outside and the whole thing looked awesome! Flags blowing in the breeze, sunny cloudless sky and a lovely looking finance in an awesome suit! It was time to go! I was much more nervous about this part than I was the civil ceremony. I was already married so I should have been more chilled but there were 100 smiley faces waiting for us!! eik!

In the end it was all ok and no one fell down the stairs as we headed for our gravel aisle. The sun stayed shinning and all went mostly to plan. Hearing Matt say his vows was wonderful, i never realised that he could say such beautiful things and he had been so thoughtful in what he was saying. Of course, that isn’t really too much of a surprise; he has always been the most caring and thoughtful man I have ever met. There was a slight hitch with the music on the way back up the aisle but that just added to the fun of the day and was, in the end, cool!

Fr J was awesome and is the only man I know who could have done that ceremony as he did. It was perfect for us and a great opportunity for him to turn a standard mass in to a cool panto I loved that! Especially the heckling of the guests when they didn’t support us loud enough. Thanks soooo much Fr J

After the service, we headed back up the steps and then to our photos whilst the rest of the guests had some vino in the sunshine.

The photographer (Richard Barley most of these pictures were taken by him) was ace and managed to get all the formal shots out of the way in plenty of time. Of course this wouldn’t have happened quite so quickly is Span hadn’t been ruling the proceedings with an iron rod! Good on ya span!

The rest of the day was good fun we got to chill out then and enjoy the food and music. The speeches were ace and although I was worried about what SPAN would say after I’d leant her the Trisha video and she’d been pawing through my memories box she did me proud and was very kind in what she said It was brilliant to have speeches from both the groom and bride’s mates I’d recommend it!

Mother made me laugh with her three outfits and the way she managed to be late (by getting changed) just before all the major events. We had to wait for her before we cut the cake and then when we were about to perform out first song – We didn’t do a first dance. We’re musicians!

Thank you to all of you who shared the day with us and who bought us lovely gifts or contributed to our honeymoon Don’t forget the 500+ images on woodwardland

I’ll be Mrs Woodward this time next week! yay!

We’ve practically finished the planning and so now all i have to do is relax. Shocks over how much things cost will soon be over! lol (The flowers £500 odd!!!!! OMG)
I’ve created another website so that we can all share our pictures and have already got images of the hen and stag dos up there so that’s cool. Feel free to add more if you have any

I doubt I’ll be back on here before the wedding and hopefully I’ll be reporting as Mrs W in my next entry

Check out woodwardland and the wedding website in the mean time NB// This site no longer exists (08/09)

Lof’s off ill at the moment and I am busy getting things sorted for school (I know!! I’m not doing too much though I promise)
Anyway… I was sat there making a transcript of the advert below. All was quie$t until I heard a drooling voice say “Are those your vows?” LMAO

If it’s that easy then i’ll just start carving a turkey at the end of the aisle!

So today marks the day where the countdown clock stops talking about months and begins to count down only in days… There are 30 of them to be exact (unless you’re reading this on any other day than today of course!)

With 30 days to go most of the details for the summer Soire are now in place. This week has seen hair and make-up trials, Cake choosing, budget organising and Hen and Stag dos.

Now the boys, it would seem, consider getting so drunk you can’t lift your head and have to miss half the weekend end as the best way to spend your time. Being women we were, of course, far wiser and had a wonderful time at the SPA in Nothamptonshire. Although the buzzing of the formula one cars at Siverstone could be heard in the the distance the mood was far from rushed this weekend. We spent quite a lot of time just lying around while other people brought us food and drink and made our faces and bodies the happiest they had been for a while.

Although the focus was very much on relaxation, detox and all things body our minds got a good massage too. We spent the whole weekend reminding each other just how fabulous we really are! We are four hot chicks! Don’t you forget that husbands, boyfriends, fiances and potential flings!

The place was amazing and although I was a little concerned when Span informed me that we would be experiencing “hot ice” treatment – which she was convinced involved standing in hot water whilst cold ice or ice water was chucked at you, my fears were unfounded. The “Hotice” treatment invovled moiving from room to room – a hot one and then a cold one. I’ve never seen so many different saunas and steam rooms. There were crystal ones, Salt ones, ones with birds tweating along to flashing lights and one which was just hot! There was a foot spa and a whirl pool and fine dining! Mmmmm tasty fine dining. The Hens did some serious chowing down on the likes of wild boar with quail eggs and some amazing desserts! I, of course, opted for the veggie option!

There was no getting horribly drunk but there was a tasty bottle of Pinot Noir which set us back £40! OOps! I say we but the hens clucked around and paid for it all… I’m sure I must owe someone some money somewhere…

Saturday will see the fitting of the bridesmaids dresses and then I think we’re almost done! Only 30 days to go!! woo hoo!

It’s actually been a tough couple of weeks for me. Work got more than just a little ridiculous and even had me bursting in to tears on one exhausted evening! Crazy! It’s not good enough and I really wasn’t happy at all. At least things should calm down a little now. I’ve said my piece about how we shouldnt’ be expected to do so much all at once and I can only hope that the powers that be will put more thought into the ‘calendar’ next year.

It’s been very busy at home too. I’ve seen ‘Lanis and Bon Jovi in the last week or so and have celebrated my 28th Birthday. I went on the London tube for the first time and even did a bit of it all on my own! (lmao) Last time I was in London I got to the top of the escalators and decided to walk!! It’s a good job I’ve seen a little more in my life since then!

The wedding plans are moving along well and I have my first dress fitting on Saturday morning. Time is starting to speed up a little now. Only a month and half to go It should be great although i am sure that this last little run up will be the most stressful part. It’s all the ‘little things’ that needs to be sorted that are the pain in the arse. What if we forget something!!??? Amusingly, that’s exactly what lil’ P said to me today when I bumped into her at the train station! So at least I’m not the only one worrying a little!

Ah well I’m off to sort out teacher technologies. It’s about time it did a little more showcasing

It;s been a busy week. I’ve returned to work, been hunting for houses and bought a wedding dress!! yay! (Finally!) Obviously I can not divulge the details of the dress on a website where certain snooping eyes may pry but I love wearing it so it must be nice

Work has been great. Infact, in some ways it feels like I was never really away. The students certainly seem to be behaving in that way towards me It’s nice to feel wanted and loved ;!! lol. I have been trying hard not to allow work to tip into life and have been staying behind every night to focus on the work that needs to be done. That said, this week my timetable is very light in comparison to the 3 5 period days have waiting for me Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I do have some concerns over the effect such a crowses period will have on the amount of work ( planning, marking etc) I can possibly get down before 5:30 – especially as parents evening is on one of those evenings … Ahhhh it’s all very interesting how we’re supposed to keep on top of it all. I guess I’ll just have to keep trying! There has to be a secret nack to it somehow and thus far it’s worked! I Will have to do some planning tomorrow though… I chose to go to the pub well before 5:30 came around on Friday

We had our first snow of the New Year yesterday too. It chose to fall just as I was driving home from Birmingham. This caused havoc on the roads but kept me amused. I was definitly happy screaming and smiling in my car as I drove down the hills of the A441 with my hand out of the open window catching snowflakes! Unfortunatly, by the time I got to my destination the snow had turned to slush, the slush to rain and it was all over It was cool to see the snowflakes falling from the sky though

The house hunt is not going as quickly as the weddind dress hunt unfortunatly. There just doesn’t seem to be “THE” house on the market. We’ll keep trudging on I guess