Shropshire Magazine

A happy couple tying the knot at Broadfield Court.

Rebecca Lawrence introduces a Shropshire Magazine wedding special with a very personal account of what getting married means to her – and just what goes into planning  the perfect day

On February 26, 2008 in the world’s highest revolving restaurant in Switzerland, my life changed forever. My boyfriend asked me to marry him and I got to wear a diamond ring and see him cry for the first time.

After I’d rung my mother, who jumped up and down for joy, and told my dad, who worried about the cost, it was time to start discussing weddings.

But it wasn’t until about a month later that we started looking at venues after all the champagne and celebrations had died down.

We first had to decide between Shrewsbury, where we live now, and Surrey, where my parents live.

After confirming with the Reverend Chris Sims that we could get married at Shrewsbury Abbey, there was no contest.

We then started looking at venues in Shrewsbury, but soon fell in love with the Albright Hussey. I have always loved the Tudor period and this fitted my ideas perfectly. Ever since we booked, the staff have been nothing but helpful.

I also created the ‘wedding book’, which is a lovely scrapbook full of all my ideas and things I have cut out of magazines.

In this is the list of things to do, and it makes me feel very organised when I look at all the ticks.

A wedding dress from Shropshire Country Brides.

I started looking for my dress in July and spent a while dithering between four different ones. After a second look, I decided on one in Surrey, which is particularly nice as it’s bringing something from the area I grew up in.

The guest list was probably the most difficult to sort out, but I think my parents and I have reached numbers we are all happy with.

Now I’ve got the flowers and cake sorted (thanks to my future mother-in-law and fiancé’s aunt), the photographer is booked as is our band Blozone, and I’ve even bought the place cards. We’ve also picked our wedding rings.

Next on the list for the new year are bridesmaids’ dresses and sorting out transport to and from the Abbey.

As the months have ticked by, our wedding day of September 18 is getting alarmingly closer – it seemed ages away back in February.

It’s just a lovely time to plan a wonderful party for all your friends and family and I’m enjoying every minute of it. 

Hopefully I will until I walk down the aisle on September 18.

The Shropshire Magazine wedding supplement focuses on the people and the places that can help make your big day extra special. It is available in the January issue of the magazine, available at outlets throughout the county.