Jemma and Tony got married last September and we were so thrilled to have had the pleasure to make her wedding dress for her and be able to see all the photos of the lovely day.
'Tony and I met back in November 2004. My friend had got me a job alongside her at TK Maxx, by sweet talking the manager (Tony) and telling him I would be very interested in him!
Valentine's Day 2005 and we went on our first date; a romantic evening planned with a table at my favourite restaurant and a beautiful suite booked at a hotel- I was instantly hooked.'
'The first couple of years of our relationship was hard, we both had lots of hurdles. My mum had a serious car accident and was in a coma for a long while followed by months in hospital. That's when I knew Tony was the one. He was there at the hospital and was so supportive.'
'December 2007 we had our eldest daughter. She was perfect and he was an amazing Dad. The proposal on the other hand was a tad unromantic! Tony turned to me on evening and said "when you get engaged do you have to get married straight away or can you wait a while?" After I explained that some people are engaged for a while, giving them chance to save, he followed his blunt question with "oh, well go pick a ring out tomorrow if you want!" Not really swept off my feel but after a child and 3 years together we knew we loved each other.'
'We remained engaged through 5 years and 2 more children , occasionally discussing getting married but it was in October 2013 that we started serious planning. I already knew I wanted the ceremony in Ringwood Parish Church so we decided to just find a reception venue and work around that. We viewed just two venues and we were instantly sold by the second.
Bartley Lodge in the New Forest- It was beautiful.'
I had no set theme in mind and to be honest I was vague about a lot of my choices. I just figured that if I liked it then it was in! Tony had little input in the planning if I'm honest. He was the bank! I did run 90% of my choices past him but I did leave him with three things to organise. The car, the DJ and the suites. As we got closer to the big day I realised this wasn't being done the way I would have done it. Needless to say I went out and booked the car, suits and DJ myself!
'I made a lot of the decorations and stationary myself. Invites, orders of service, seating plane, place names. I put together all the favours. Created the centre pieces and decorated the church. It was time consuming but I loved it and wouldn't have done it any other way.'
'The process of having my dress made was fab. I did go in with a couple of photos and after trying on many dresses I knew what I didn't want. I think I was a bit vague and a tad wishy washy with what I did want but Frances and the girls were great. They helped show me what would and would not look perfect and were fab with their ideas. I loved picking out the material and going in and seeing my dress look different at every stage.'
Jemma wore a duchess satin gown with embellished lace overlay and tulle skirt by
Calm Amongst the Chaos.
We thought that Jemma's day looked wonderful and we are so pleased for her and Tony. Wishing them all the best for married life!
Frances and the chaotic team
x
