We very rarely feature real weddings on Darling Lovely Life, but when we do they are SO Darling Lovely Life that they are impossible to resist showing off to the world!
Dan and Marie first met through a mutual friend, Rich, who went on to be one of their best men. Rich played in a band with Dan, and he also worked with Marie. Marie went along to watch Rich play one night and took a fancy to the bass player. The couple met again in 2004 and the rest is history.
Marie’s favourite thing about Dan is his sense of humour, while Dan answered that his favourite thing is her smile, amongst other things!
Marie says: “We love Christmas, well me more than Dan – so it was a perfect festive Christmas Day proposal in 2011. I never thought Dan would ever propose – We have been together for 9 years and I was starting to give up hope!”
All images © 2013 Nova Wedding Photography
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“Our wedding theme was vintage, I love everything vintage! I looked through magazines and online and made a scrap book full of my favourite things.I planned most of the wedding myself. My mum and I walked around car boot sales most Sundays collecting anything vintage. My Dad helped by making lots of things – like all the cake stands amongst other things. But, my little secret weapon was Kirsten Butler, AKA ‘The Little Wedding Helper’ I couldn’t write this article without mentioning her. I could not have done it without her – Kirsten you are amazing! Although Dan didn’t know I hired her at the time, but he does now!
In fact, our most indispensible wedding supplier has to be Kirsten, who took everything I collected and made it look amazing. I had an idea of what I wanted and she put it all together. Also, the photographers Katherine and Steve of Nova Wedding Photography who captured the day perfectly. We wanted natural and fun – they even did a fancy dress photo booth for us. The photos were everything I could have ever wished for and as an added bonus we received our wedding photos on my birthday!”
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“There were lots of beautiful wedding details but I did have a favourite! I displayed wedding photos of all our family marriages, I discovered photos of my great grandparents getting married on the 4th August 1928.
Everything went to plan on the day! It was so funny seeing the look on Dan’s face as I walked down the aisle to ‘Eye of the Tiger’. Delighted that my friends surprised me with a memory washing line. Enjoyed the best men’s speech – performed on a guitar. Surprised as Dan’s old band reformed on the evening for a few songs. Couldn’t have asked for anything more – good times as I become Mrs Darbon.”
Dan adds: “It was a beautiful day, that had the years best weather, in some of the best surroundings, with everyone who has ever mattered to us being there to witness and enjoy our day as much as we did.”
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“I loved all the planning, collecting and making things. I didn’t enjoy not being able to do everything myself! Before planning my wedding, I didn’t realise how controlling I was. Practically speaking, I needed 10 clones of me to get everything done, but as that’s not possible, I just worked every evening and weekend – designing and making things, like 300m of bunting! My friends and family were really helpful too though – they attended craft club round our house (they’ll do anything for a glass of wine), I think they were honoured I let them do something.
Our best bargain find was our vintage china. We collected plates from car boot sales for 50p which we turned into cake stands (we bought the poles from ebay for £2). My dad drilled all the plates (36 in total). A great end product for £3.50 – they looked amazing and original!
If I could go back and do something differently, I would get fans for the room! It was the hottest day of the year! I am ginger and, with pale skin in a big dress – it was hot!
My last words of advice for new brides to be would be , pack for your honeymoon before your wedding day. We had one day in between the wedding and our honeymoon, but that day disappeared with seeing people and other things – we never got to pack! We went with not a lot and had to buy lots when we got there.”
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Credit where credit’s due
Venues: The ceremony was in Leigh Court, Bristol and the reception was is Paintworks, Bristol
Photographer: Nova Wedding Photography
Bride’s dress, accessories and shoes: Dress – Alison Jane, Clifton Triangle, Bristol, Accessories – Glitzy Secrets Shoes – Schuh
Bridesmaids’ dresses & accessories: Dresses – Debenhams Accessories – Accessorize
Groom’s and groomsmens’ outfits: Burtons then tailored by Mark Anthony Tailoring, Bristol
Cars: VW Split Screens
Florist: The Wilde Bunch
Styling / décor: The Little Wedding Helper all lighting by SXS Events
Hair: Natalie and Michele at Escape Hairdressing, Bristol
Make-up: Jo at MUFU
Cake: (Marie) “My friend Caroline made our wedding cake/cup cakes – she does it as a hobby but is very talented.”
Catering: Relish
Stationery: (Marie) “I did this myself”
Band / DJ: Kirris Riviere Blues Band