#50 The Wow Moment

November 20, 2024 Jessica Seaman

Our Brides – Annette

“I was unsure what I wanted as I really didn’t know what style would suit my age. The only detail I knew for sure was that I wanted sleeves. My aim was to find what I felt good stood in rather than what was on a hanger. There is little help online for ideas for older brides – especially for those who are young at heart!”

THE LOW-DOWN

How would you sum up the style of your wedding?

Vintage Elegance.

Where did you tie the knot?

Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire.

And what was your wedding dress?

Eliza Jane Howell - Chrysler.

THE LEAD UP

How did you two first meet?

In a cocktail bar whilst out with friends. He asked me to judge which out of him and his friends had the best manicured nails. He came 2nd! LOL!

What about the proposal? When, where, how?

Sanjay proposed to me at his 50th birthday party (in a marquee in our garden). He got down on one knee even with his dodgy hip! All the children had to help him get back up though! LOL! Thank goodness he eventually got the hip replacement in time for the wedding!

THE DRESS

Did you have an idea of what you wanted when you first started looking for your wedding dress? And did you stick to it?

I was unsure what I wanted as I really didn’t know what style would suit my age. The only detail I knew for sure was that I wanted sleeves. My aim was to find what I felt good stood in rather than what was on a hanger. There is little help online for ideas for older brides – especially for those who are young at heart! I am so glad I didn’t give in to being ‘stereotypical’ and was patient. I knew it would come good in the end!

How did you find the whole experience of searching for the right dress?

Initially in the area that I live; very underwhelming, so I narrowed my search down by designer and then googled boutiques that carried the best choice of dresses. I was determined to find the right dress even if that meant I had to travel some distance. Having found Jess and the right dress, the 3 hour round trip was absolutely worth it!

What was it about your dress that made it ‘the one’?

How it made me feel – elegant with an understated sexiness! Perfect.

How did you feel once you’d made the big decision?

Nervous at first as I lack confidence and I had moments of ‘have I made the right decision’. With each visit it cemented that I had.

Do you have any top tips for other brides out there shopping for their bridal gown?

Trust your gut and don’t give up on the hunt. She is just waiting for you to find it and with patience – you will.

THE BIG DAY

Tell us more about your outfit on the day. How did you complete your look?

I went for simple yet elegant accessories. I wore a beautiful hair piece by Victoria Fergusson and simple crystal drop earrings to compliment it. To extenuate the neckline of the dress, and to ensure every inch of it was shown off, I had my hair up. A simple back necklace complimented the dress beautifully.

And your bridesmaids?

Elegant vintage satin dresses in champagne colour with brown fur stoles. Dresses had cowl necklines. They looked absolutely gorgeous!

What do you remember about the morning?

The excitement that after almost 14 years (and one year delay due to covid), we had finally made it. A tinge of sadness that some special people we had lost would not be with us. Once the bridesmaids arrived, they turned it into a party! Laughter ensued and the time ran away with us!!

Who did your hair and makeup?

Brooke Savannah did my make up. She is the daughter of a very close friend and I have known her since she was two years old, so it was a privileged for both of us to share this moment.

Who took your wedding photos?

Becky Kerr Photography

Did you follow any traditions? Or was there anything unusual about the ceremony?

To pay respect to Sanjay’s Hindu family, we had Indian Drummers escort us into our wedding breakfast. This turned out to be one of the best parts of our wedding – it was brilliant! Everyone was on their feet and buzzing! It set the ‘party’ tone for the rest of the day!

How did your dress feel when you were walking down the aisle?

Unbelievably comfortable! It just gently hugged my body. Felt rather sexy too I must say! It was a ‘wow, just wow’ moment.

THE MEMORIES

What are your favourite memories of your wedding day?

Seeing Sanjay’s face for the first time as I entered the aisle – he was crying, and he mouthed ‘I love you’.

When my boys came to get me from the bridal suite to take me down to the ceremony – the look on their faces. They both cried and said how beautiful l looked and how proud they were of me. A special moment between mother and sons that I will treasure always.

All our children giving their speeches – very emotional (but very funny as well)!

Sanjay and I letting our hair down and losing ourselves in our first dance. We have never been a ‘traditional’ couple, so our first dance was never going to a romantic one! We much prefer to let rip in the mosh pit!

Secretly arranging for our dog Carlton to pay a surprise visit for my new husband. Sanjay was overwhelmed to have little man with us!

What gave you the biggest laugh?

Our singing waiters! Oh my, did they take it to the wire and raised many an eyebrow amongst the guests pretending to be waiters. The ‘reveal’ was the best! The room erupted! Not one guest remained in their seat – everyone was up singing and dancing! It’s the biggest audience participation the singers had ever seen.