A Stylish, Joyful, Purple Wedding {Part 1}

Remember Marie and Nigel's lovely engagement shoot?

Well now it's time for their joyful, family orientated wedding.

This was the second time around for both Nigel and Marie, who have four lovely children from their previous relationships. It was a small, intimate affair with some truly heart warming personal touches.

Katherine of Katherine Ashdown Photography was on hand to capture all the love and beauty of their day.

Here's what she had to say about the wedding:

Marie and Nigel’s day was all about what weddings are meant to be; celebrating their love for each other, bringing their families and children together and this was reflected in every aspect of the day from Nigel’s son’s mini speech, to the table plan and centres that Marie named after the children. Lets not forget though that Marie looked AMAZING and they are one of the most fun couples I know even taking the time to have dance lessons to give the crowd a fab first dance!

The Proposal:

I was expecting it but not the way Nigel did it. We went away to France for the weekend and we were in our favourite restaurant where Nigel always took a new picture of me for his phone. Instead of saying ‘smile, he said ‘will you marry me?’ and then took a picture of me as I said ‘yes’. Without my knowledge he had already asked my father’s permission. We had such an amazing night!

Location & date of wedding:

St Giles House Hotel Norwich on 13 November 2010 – exactly 4 years to the day that we met for the first time.

The Dress:

The dress was by an Australian designer Martina Liana. It was the first dress I tried on with one of my closest friends. We had a real moment and both shed a tear or three. I still looked around all the other shops for the ‘experience’ but that dress had already stolen my heart and I had to go back and buy it. I just thought it was simple but classy and glamorous and I knew Nigel would love it.

The Shoes & Accessories:

Oh I absolutely loved my shoes – went for champagne colour heels with encrusted diamonds which went perfectly with the dress. It took me ages to find the tiara which was made from beautiful crystals and pearls – I also had the bracelet and earrings made to match.

Hair & Make Up:

I had my hair down so I would feel more ‘myself’. Nigel had also dropped the odd obvious hint that he preferred it that way. I did my own make up – fairly natural.

{LOVE those initial cufflinks!}

The Grooms Attire:

Nigel wore a long dark grey Prince Edward suits with champagne accessories to match my dress.

Bridesmaids/Groomsmens Attire:

Our daughters and my best friend wore beautiful dresses by Dessy in the colour ‘Smashing’ – we loved the colour and also the name! Our sons and the best man wore suits to match Nigel’s.

Theme/Colour Scheme:

Classical but elegant… primarily champagne.

{These guys look too cool for school…those socks are fabulous!}

The Photographer:

I met with Katherine Ashdown just weeks before our wedding. I knew instantly after meeting her and seeing her portfolio that I wanted her to be our photographer – we soon made the connection that I worked for her partner’s father for the last 15 years so it just felt like it was meant to be. We loved both our engagement and wedding photo’s. Kathy was really good fun, put us at our ease and captured the emotion of the entire day so beautifully.

Favourite Moment:

Walking down the aisle and seeing all the love in Nigel’s eyes – I knew that I had met the most amazing man in the world. I am also glad that we shared a moment before the wedding – he was getting ready in the room next door and I just sneaked in for a kiss and cuddle – it just felt like the right thing to do!