The Marriage Meme

Stolen, no shock there .... back in February 2006 from Angi at a glimpse of being me. Kept in my draft box until today just to say .... Happy Anniversary Simon ~ love you more!

Where/how did you meet? In a chat room over at Yahoo! It was my first ever visit to a chat room ~ kismet? He made the first move.
How long have you known each other? We met on the 23 September 1999 .... so that'd be just over 8 & 1/2 years.
How long after you met did you start dating? We didn't exactly date ... Simon was living on the Isle of Man and I was in Gillingham. Dating for us was a series of weekend trips and long phone calls (and even longer phone bills), the odd full week together and about a 1000 emails.
How long did you date before you were engaged? We moved in together in April 2000 ... Simon moved to the UK and we squashed ourselves into my studio flat for nearly 3 months. Then rented a house together. A year later we bought our house and got engaged 9 months after that ... March 2002
How long have you been married? 3 years today ... it was 2005.
When is your anniversary? That would be today.
How many people came to your wedding reception? It was a very small wedding and reception ~ 35 people at the registry office and then about 90 at the reception which was at home ... oh and of course, the Internet was there - well, it just seemed so apt seeing as we met online!
What kind of cake did you serve? moist sponge cake ... with funky themed icing and rich fruit cake for the traditionalists* out there!

Where was your wedding? At the local Registrar's Office as a church ceremony wasn't wanted or possible - whilst I was indeed a spinster of the parish ... Simon arrived in a reconditioned state having had a past owner or 10. Not that he was married to them all you understand.
What did you serve for your meal? I'm lucky enough that one of my best friend's used to be a chef and between us we catered a beautiful buffet ... see below.

It did seem like we were cooking for days beforehand but it was delicious!! He was also resident mixologist - we drank Charlie's Angels ... a mixture of champagne, peach schnapps and brandy ~ delicious!!
How many people were in your bridal party? Not really a bridal party as such - 4 witnesses, 3 of mine one of his ... well when else can you be greedy.
Are you still friends with them all? Yep
Did you or your spouse cry during the ceremony? No, I don't think so - did plenty of crying in the lead up ... more stressful than moving house.
Most special moment of your wedding day? The diamonds moment during Simon's speech; whenever he asks "what do you want?" my answer is always diamonds - so I got a pair of earrings as my wedding present.
Any funny moments? Ruth and the 144 times she said "the bride" culminating in her "best man speech" ... she took over BUT was perfect at it!!
Any big disasters? Not that I was aware of - maybe people just kept them from me!?! Mind you, Transco did lay yellow pipes outside the house before the wedding, so nobody could park anywhere - lost a little sleep over that!

Where did you go on your honeymoon? St Jean de Luz - 3 weeks later. It was blissful.
How long were you gone? A week
What side of the bed do you sleep on? As you stand at the foot of the bed and look towards the head I sleep on the right.
Greatest strength as a couple? We laugh constantly.
Greatest challenge as a couple? When he handed his notice in at work four weeks after the wedding without telling me that he was going to do that!! I could have killed cheerfully him :o(
Who literally pays the bills? Me
What is your song? Don't laugh but it's the theme to Enterprise (yep that Star Trek prequel) called Where my heart will take me by Russell Watson.

What did you dance your first dance to? This will be an everlasting love - Natalie Cole.

Describe your wedding dress? Take a look yourself.

What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding? Off white roses
Are your wedding bands engraved? Nope and only I wear one.

* i.e. my mother!