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August 2002 Gill & Andy begin their future in a historic setting by Gill Cheshire ... Gill and Andy    Well, what can I say?    I've hardly sat down since the wedding was all over, but as we have recently received the proof wedding photos back from the photographer, it has brought back the memories.    Even though our wedding was at 5pm, we arrived at the Castle at 1pm to ensure that we were relaxed and had time to get our hair and make up done as well as hand over to the Castle staff the wine, place cards, black swans and wedding cake.    We had chosen the Green Room for our overnight stay and the room was magnificent. The original oil paintings were massive, the four poster bed was Spanish from the 17th century with fragile 17th Century Spanish appliqué work on the valences and headboard - the whole place was just incredible.    Some of my friends had arrived early in order to help me get ready. My hairdresser was busy buzzing between my parents room and mine. My friend Sharon arrived with a bag of makeup and the transformation began.    Having sat drinking Champagne and picking at food we had brought with us, it was soon time to get dressed. I discovered this was when you relied upon your bridesmaid(s) to help haul you into your outfit. The only problem was I didn't have one. So, Sharon and my friend, Paula, were drafted in to assist getting me buttoned into my outfit. Andy meanwhile was trying to get ready in the bathroom and the girls applied the finishing touches on him as well as on me. Ronnie, my hairdresser, had a quick touch up of my hair and I was ready.    The photographer and the Registrar both turned upto our room at the same time and the photographer snapped away trying to get the all-important relaxed shot. As the Registrar completed the necessary documentation with Andy and I, he wished us luck. And that was it. Panic set in. Now, I'm sure you'll remind me that in all my previous journals I wasn't nervous and I wasn't until about 10 minutes before the ceremony. I wasn't unsure about marrying Andy but having looked forward to this day for so long, the shock suddenly hit me. Ceremony and reception held at Leeds Castle in Kent, England    Whilst we stood outside the ceremony room listening to the celebrant talking to our guests, I stood nervously waiting for the doors to open. My legs were shaking so violently and I was so nervous. I kept saying out loud what's wrong with me, I'm never like this normally? The Castle staff in the room with me were trying to calm me as best they could. Andy, of course, was completely relaxed (or so he looked).    That was it, the doors opened, the music struck up and everyone turned around to look at us entering. I was terrified and everyone could see in my face that I was. I got no better during the ceremony and the Celebrant said to me to "breathe" at one point as he could see I was turning blue. I never normally get nervous and am a cool customer with most things but my body felt as if it was being taken over by someone else. My nerves didn't leave me the whole of the ceremony and I managed to get a line of my words wrong and had to repeat them (in point of fact, Andy made an error but he wasn't corrected). No sooner had we started than it was over and after some photos we were asked to lead the guests out to a Champagne reception. Boy did I need a drink and it needed to be strong!    From here on in I started to relax and we chatted to our guests. We then assembled outside the Castle for photographs. Despite the sun shining, a cool wind chilled most guests. Whilst our guests were offered a tour of the Castle we continued with more photographs. Upon our return, our guests were invited to dinner as "Mr. and Mrs. Graham" walked to their table in applause.    Andy was lapping up every part of the day; I myself began to feel a little ill. The food was excellent and the service faultless. The staff were all attentive and pleasant. After the first course came the first speech - which was mine. After a large swig of wine I began. My speech went well and was humorous. After the main course, my father stood up, totally thrown off guard by my speech. Again, another good speech was given. The dessert over, Andy and Kevin (the best man) did their respective speeches and were given a good round of applause.    Halfway through the main meal I had started to feel sick. I think a combination of too much Champagne and my extreme nerves had a lot to do with it. I had the most enormous headache and decided that the only thing to do was to be sick. So I was. After this the headache subsided and I could relax and enjoy the evening. Beautiful wedding cake    Everyone was impressed with the venue, the beautiful surroundings and could see why we chose it. They were impressed with our outfits and thought that they were appropriate for the venue we had chosen (which was our reason for choosing them in the first place). After dinner, we prepared to the drawing room where we relaxed with coffee, tea, after-dinner drinks and, of course, the cake that had taken so long to make. We eventually got to bed at 1am.    The next day, those of us who stayed the night enjoyed a full English breakfast. We departed our lovely four poster rooms - we to the airport the others home.    Looking back now it's hard to believe it has all happened. The honeymoon in Dubai and Oman was fantastic, although it was hot. All the guests thought the whole thing was wonderful. It all flowed superbly and there were no hiccups with the arrangements whatsoever. I can honestly say it was extremely simple to organise and we will look back on the day, as our guests have, with fond memories.