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Introducing Charlie – our new blogger

Nov 29th, 2010No Comments

Taking over the reigns from last year’s blogger Hannah is Charlotte (Charlie) Townsend – winner of our Win a Wedding competition at Ufford Park Hotel.

Charlotte and her fiancee James Durrant are currently absorbing the information that Prince William is to marry Kate Middleton on the same day as them, April 29, 2010.

Here’s Charlie with the story so far…..

I met James via Facebook. He was the brother-in-law of a friend I worked at Ipswich Hospital with.

I was with my friend Debbie and decided I would add him! He accepted my request and sent me his mobile number – the texting began.

James went on holiday and we continued to text (for two weeks) before we met, which was nice. We finally met and have never been apart since.

One Saturday in August James asked if I fancied a pint and a walk in Aldeburgh. We arrived and started to walk to the beach. It was a hot day so we sat talking and James suggested a drink as I stood-up. I looked around and James was on one knee (he’d been planning this with my friend Debbie).

I said yes (once the tears were gone). It was so amazing and romantic. We wanted to get married ASAP.

I had no idea that James had even entered the Win a Wedding Competition so when he told me we’d been short-listed I was completely shocked.

The date of the wedding fair had fallen on my parents’ wedding anniversary so we had a busy day. We arrived at the fair and, to be honest, I was nervous but really didn’t think we would win.

When our names were called I was in complete shock. I can remember hearing my friend Allison scream! From that point it all went mad.

Our first meeting was with Lorraine from Ufford Park (who is just fantastic). We decided to book the date Friday, April 29, 2011. Then it did really all begin.

James was fantastic and started contacting all the people who’d given prizes as I was working and don’t really have a job I can step away from to make calls.

I thought it would be good to start booking things. My friend Elizabeth Johns to do my nails and pampering, and I booked my hairdresser Sarah – bridezilla had arrived.

We then met with Natalie from Lemon Pie for the invitations. She was so fantastic with so many designs and so much choice. We spent ages with her and she was very helpful and we finally made a choice.

My next step was my dress which is from Claire at Silk Rose Couture. Wow, she is amazing. She will be designing my dress and it was very overwhelming. I took my matron of honour Debbie and we were both blown away really.

She was able to design our dresses just by looking at us.

We made contact with Jean from Amazing Cakes and Libby from Myrtle and Mint and Coes. Everyone was just fantastic and it was starting to come together. Then, one day as I was working I checked my phone at lunch time to find loads of text messages. The Royal wedding was the same day as ours!

Well, that was quite a shock but nice.

We had a meeting with the vicar that would marry us, so we talked about having the bells ringing and the Royal wedding.

It’s been very overwhelming and exciting that we’re sharing our big day, but it’s now a bank holiday so people will have a day off.