weddings - in a frame!

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Tv Weddings

A fantasy for many Girls! - who's dreams came true!

The latest successful TV Bridal Weekend in Bournemouth…

THE MOST ROMANTIC WEEKEND IN ANY TV'S LIFE!
In one all too short weekend it was possible to experience being a bride as well as being a bridesmaid, a wedding guest, or for some even a groom!

Great weather meant sunny garden photos!

"If you don't have a dream how are you gonna make a dream come true, wrote Rogers or Hammerstein", Danielle remembered in her prize presentation speech. She told us she had arranged the first event because she loved to try to live her fantasies. Being a 'bride' is one of them, as well as being a brides-maid. "You may remember I was the bridal section winner at the 1999 BS Rotherham week-end, I was Ron Storme's June Bride back in 1997, and (in my first 'Daisy' bridesmaid dress) I was 'Miss Gilton', back (if I remember correctly) in '96? Of course, to live my dream I can make the same dream of others come true too; I thank all the participants for coming as your support enables all our TV bridal dreams to become reality. I could not do it without you".

It was a full house apart from one last minute unfortunate no-show (not her fault, but oh, boy, did she miss a great event!). There also had to be a bit of room swapping (thank you, Joy, for assisting here - some people don't seem to know the difference between a double-bedded room and a twin-bedded one when booking). Other than that, the TV Bridal weekend seemed to run with barely a hitch, although Danielle the organiser had to think fast on her white satin HayWay high heels a couple of times to keep it that way. Guests arrived from all over England and were supported on the Saturday by three more locals.
The hotel had again made a very serious effort for the event, with white decorations everywhere, and a two-tier wedding cake - which we forgot to photograph when being cut - oops!

Viv, Erica and Nikki from TV Brides in Bucks were on hand to loan/sell dresses, accessories, etc, and to do makeovers and Michelle from Focus on Fantasy was there with wigs and taking excellent photographs.

Michelle also presented three bouquets for the award winners. Liz, the organiser's other half, was on hand to meet and greet, to zip those who could nor reach and otherwise lend a helping pair of hands wherever required.

Some girls had their own wedding gowns - masses of them! I believe the wedding gown record for this event was seven - by Christina. She had worn all but one of them by the end of the weekend! All in all, this must have been the biggest UK collection of bridal gowns ever assembled outside of ProNuptia's central warehouse! The hotel proprietors, not adverse to a bit of cross-dressing themselves, worked hard to make the event a great success.

Part of the hotel ballroom was transformed into a 'mini-church' for the services. Dutch hotel barman Martin , organiser Danielle and Ken (complete in military uniform) took turns as the groom when couples were not dedicating to each other, whilst the 'registrar' Martin (same name, different person) must have been exhausted by the time he'd done 15 wedding ceremonies ... more than a busy day and a half at Brompton registry office! Two wedding ceremonies on Friday afternoon and thirteen on the Saturday gave the participants lots of opportunities to try a variety of wedding roles. Arranged with about a half-hour between each ceremony, the participants had time enough (well, just about, you know how long some take) to change between being a bridesmaid, a mother of the bride, a wedding guest, or a groom.

Importantly, every guest who wanted to do so also had her agreed time as a bride! Each could be 'married' in a full-length ceremony, complete with a 'Here Comes The Bride' intro, a groom, a modern 'hymn' ("When I Fall In Love"), and a serious promise at the end (Vanessa's and April's event was particularly moving). A few guests were content just be part of the whole event as guests or maiden aunts.There were inevitably continuous photo calls, as at all weddings.

Group pictures of all the bridesmaids and brides were somehow arranged in between the ceremonials.

Everyone was taking their own pictures too - did you spot that sudden leap in the share prices for Kodak a little while back? This was why! Even the weather gave us the opportunity for sunny garden photos!

The Friday evening dinner was a Bridesmaids' event, followed by an Eva Cassidy type song by Elaine, whilst for the Saturday "Wedding Breakfast" lots were drawn for everyone's' individual roles. Two lucky brides (Danielle and Pamela) were on the top table heading a hoard of bridesmaids, mothers and sisters of the bride, matrons of honour and maiden aunts. Strangely, neither groom came to this otherwise excellent postnuptial dinner. Elaine gave us two more songs and the evening was rounded up by Vanessa's and April's disco music show.

Importantly, everyone co-operated throughout the weekend and, supporting everyone else, joined in the fun in various roles. The raffle prizes were excellent and over £40 was raised as a perk for the hotel's working staff behind the scenes as thanks for their wonderful unseen backing of the event! Liz, the organiser's other half did all the ticket selling - for which many thanks!

Bridal 'Oscars'!

Rather than have a final pageant, the TV Brides girls, Danielle and Liz evaluated the participants throughout the weekend and finally awarded the following bridal 'Oscars'!

These were - Best Newcomer - Joyce.
The Best Couple - Tina and Sue.
The most elegant guest - Joy.
The most beautiful bridesmaid - Amanda.
The most beautiful bride - Tamara.
And the Big Prize - a very difficult decision between several participants …
The Bride of the Event Bouquet and Wedding Veil finally went to - Elaine.
A series of instant divorces (for those that wanted them) were processed on Sunday morning!