Wedding Ideas Awards 2012
Now this is a post I was not expecting to write – not in a million years!
Back at the beginning of November 2011, I had a message from Rachel Southwood at Wedding Ideas Magazine inviting me along to the Wedding Ideas Awards 2012 as their guest. Well to say I was honoured is huge understatement! I actually felt a bit star struck – the magazine I had spent over 18 months reading (cover to cover!!) while I was planning my own wedding and had hugely admired since, had asked little old me to their event of the year!
See, I’m actually quite (very) shy! I’ve not got a shed load of confidence (I think they saved my share for my younger sister who is an actress and extremely outgoing!!) and had spent the last 6 months building up Military Wedding Discounts from home online. I knew that I had to make the effort to go out and network with others in the industry but as the time grew closer I would start to get very nervous & anxious and end up not being able to go. I knew this couldn’t be the case with the Wedding Ideas Awards though and spent the months leading up to it convincing myself that I was going to have a brilliant night and meet lots of wonderful people and it was working.
As it drew closer, the nerves set it again and I was starting to panic! See, another thing with me is that unfortunately, I can’t hide it when I get nervous and this is what was bothering me most. When I get nervous, I start getting very hot, my face goes bright red and my lovely straight hair that I had spent 3 hours going over with the GHD’s suddenly becomes a complete mess! This was my biggest fear!
On the day itself, I turned to my trusty Kalms tablets (think I may have overdosed slightly lol) and I was feeling great! I was actually so excited to be going and really looking forward to meeting everyone!
I only ended up getting my shoes for the show the day before and it wasn’t until the following morning that I decided to pop them on again and I realised they were just too big! The right foot was perfect but the left foot was a whole size bigger! After trying 2 pairs of insoles and 3 heel grips (in the one shoe!!) and it was still too big, I knew we had no other choice than to go back to Oxford Street and change them for the next size down.
Back home, shoes all changed and 5 hours to relax before I had to go and I was totally chilled!
Those 5 hours flew by and another 6 Kalms tablets popped, I was feeling great! Mum & Kath looked gorgeous and we all had our hair & make up sorted, dresses on and were ready to go!! The cab texted at 6.10pm to say they were on their way and that was it – I freaked lol! I could feel myself getting all hot, my hair started going frizzy (anyone who suffers with this will know what a disaster this is!) and the nerves were back with a vengeance! Went to put my shoes on and discovered that either my feet had shrunk or my shoes had grown (probably the fact that I tried them on with socks rather than tights but the other two make me sound less responsible!) so was faced again with my shoes being too big – aaaaaaaaagggggghhhhhhh!!!!
Then it all changed! I reached The Brewery (which was totally GORGEOUS by the way!), hobbled up to the door and then stood in line to be greeted by the lovely Wedding Ideas ladies. I had been so excited to meet them and they were just amazing.We had our photo taken on our way in and then went up to the cocktail reception. I could feel myself getting all hot and nervous but just reminded myself that all these people were here to have a great night and lots of fun and that’s exactly what I was going to do too!
Dinner was lovely and the awards were brilliant! It was so lovely to see all these wonderful companies being given recognition for their hard work and wonderful designs/services. The support throughout the room for each winner was great – was really feeling the love!
Then things took a little (read HUGE) unexpected turn, when Rachel started to talk about the Special Recognition Award. Everything from here goes a little blurred!
I remember at one point turning to my Mum and saying ‘oh wow, someone else is doing something similar to me’ and she turned to me and was very teary which is when the penny dropped and then all I heard was ‘and the winner is….Emma Waring’
It really did take a few seconds to take it all on board and it felt like it took me ages to get to the stage. I remember as I was walking up there that people started to stand up but I really thought it was just to let me pass – I didn’t realise I was given a standing ovation!
I wish I could tell you this amazing story of how I gave this brilliant speech, thanked everyone and managed to stay very calm and composed but the truth is, it really is very hazy!! I was just totally shocked and was shaking like a leaf – oh and worst of all, I didn’t even have my shoes on!!
The surprises didn’t stop there either – these amazing people at Wedding Ideas Magazine had my husband do a special message for me!! I hadn’t heard from him all week so was really a bit down on Friday so when I seen him I just had to bite my lips so hard to stop me becoming a quivering mess! I am so unbelievably proud of Noel and was just so touched that he was able to be a part of that moment even though he couldn’t be there in person.
The rest of the night passed in a complete daze! I met so many lovely wonderful people who were all just so kind and really made my night. I have fallen in love with every single member of the Wedding Ideas Herd. They are a seriously amazing bunch of people!!
It’s now 3 days later and it still feels very surreal! I love my job so much and to think I’ve had an award for doing something I feel so passionately about is just unreal, but, in fear of this turning into some kind of Kate Winslet acceptence speech, I do have to say that I just wouldn’t have been able to do this if it wasn’t for all the amazing suppliers who offer such generous discounts on their services. The support I get from each and every one of you makes me smile from ear to ear from the moment I wake until I eventually switch the laptop off. This site wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for all of you and I am really looking forward to working with you all in 2012!
I can’t finish this post without a couple of photos of both my guests and my fabulous goodies too (sorry about the quality but they are from my phone)….
My Gorgeous Mum (Elaine) and Aunt (Kath)
Beautiful Gold Flake Bubbly from 88connect.co.uk
& a gorgeous winners’ envelope from pocketfoldinvites.co.uk
and last but by no means least……
My gorgeous award!
This really was the most amazing evening of my life and I just can’t thank Wedding Ideas magazine enough – I’m so touched and honoured and I thank you from the very bottom of my heart!
Much love,
Emma xXx
