For our honeymoon, we went to Crete for 10 days. We hired out a villa by the sea, and it was beautiful! My biggest advice to anyone planning their honeymoon is to organise something relaxing. We were shocked by how tired we were, and it probably took us a good three days to catch up on sleep and recover from the emotional few days leading up to the wedding! Saying our vows in the church was a memorable moment. Things kind of stood still as we knew everyone was listening and the focus was on us. Walking into the reception room as a married couple and everyone clapping was wonderful. We just remember smiling and feeling really happy. The speeches were also phenomenal and unforgettable. We felt so loved at that moment, and we will never forget the things people said about us. LORENA AND WILLIAM’S CONTACTS Venue and catering, Richmond Hill Hotel, www.richmondhill-hotel.co.uk | Photographer, Amanda Forman Photography, www.amandaforman.co.uk Dress alterations, Sigitas Dressmaking & Alterations, www.facebook.com/sigitasdressmakingandalterations | Bride’s shoes, Jimmy Choo, www.jimmychoo.com | Hair and make-up artist, Kristina Gasperas Makeup Artist, www.kristinagasperas.com | Groom’s suit, Moss Bros, www.moss.co.uk | Bridesmaids’ dresses, JJ’s House, www.jjshouse.co.uk | Flowers, Holly & the Ivy, www.hollyandtheivy.com | Transport, Surrey Limos, www.surreylimos.co.uk | Stationery, Printed.com, www.printed.com | Entertainment, The Rockets Collective, www.therocketscollective.com; Olympia Ensemble, www.bandsforhire.net | Sound and light hire, Magic Event Hire, www.magic-event.co.uk We live-streamed the ceremony for our families, who we were unable to invite due to the restrictions. About 130 people logged onto the stream and watched the wedding, and we received a flood of messages after the ceremony congratulating us and commenting on the service. Our parents surprised us with a video of my entire American and Italian family wishing us a happy wedding day. I cannot imagine how long that must have taken as there were many people involved. It was one of the most wonderful things that anyone has ever done for me, and I was very emotional watching my family on the big screen. Just before the speeches, they also arranged a slideshow of photos of us growing up. My mum also planned a surprise flashmob. Towards the end of the night, all of the ladies stood up and started dancing the Jerusalema dance, which I joined in! We felt a bit of everything – excited, emotional, tired and relieved! We were just so happy to be getting married after the disappointment of having to postpone. I think we were also a little amazed by just how well everything turned out. We were worried things wouldn’t quite come together, or we would have some challenges with transport/ restrictions, but everything went perfectly, and everyone had a really good time! 52
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