guests family & friends of Aaron & Sarah Browne

Guests, Family & friends of Sarah & Aaron raised £470.00 on the eve of their wedding, this came as a complete  but very pleasant surprise to us, this is the letter we received .

 Dear Support Our Soldiers,

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your involvement alongside Lesley & Danny from Chocorococo for organising a dream wedding for service personnel. Aaron & i were lucky enough to win the competition & received a fantastic wedding & honeymoon on 8th August 2010.

Aaron and i and our family & friends were so touched to receive this amazing prize that we decided to have a collection at the wedding for your charity. I am pleased to enclose three cheques on behalf of our friends, family & Colleagues. Our wedding day made us feel so privileged & special and we can’t thank everyone that was involved enough.  We hope this small donation goes some way to make others dreams & hopes come true too.

Thank you once again, Sarah & Aaron Browne.

We are sure Support Our Soldiers will put this donation to very good use,  and a very big thank you to everyone who contributed.

Rachel ( Radisson) & Ian Harvey

Mark from "The Bridge" radio

Our friend - Llewella Bailey

 From the outset people have been willing to help and give their support, which goes to show the great admiration  the British people have for our troops . It would have been lovely to have helped the many people who wrote in and entered our competition, but unfortunately we couldn’t, but we would like to state that we at Chocorococo  give ALL the British Armed Services a discount on any of our services.

On a more personal note, we have received some lovely flowers , cards & messages , here are a few:

” Thank you for giving Sarah & Aaron the wedding of their dreams” Kevin & Margaurite Browne.

” Thank you so much for giving Sarah & Aaron a wedding most people can only dream about. The whole day was wonderful, we were treated like royalty & felt very priviledged – a day none of us will ever forget. A very big thank you to all involved.”  Judith & Tom Buckley.

Nick Owen & Myself

” Fantastic Lesley, so glad it all went well, good luck if you get involved again”  Nick Owen, BBC Midlands Today.

” I wish to congratulate you both on the success of the event, i know how much work was ionvolved in planning the event & you are to be commended on all your planning & efforts in making the day so special for the couple”.  Danielle Wilkins –  Civic Catering , Council House Birmingham.

” What a star you are! your efforts for the wedding were truly great , you should feel a great sense of achieveiment. A lot of hard work & energy well done for a great charity effort”  Dr. H. Hill & Mrs D. Hill

So, that brings everything to a close… it has been a wonderful 14 months, and who knows we may possibly do it all again, (on a some what smaller scale) so just keep watching this space. (c) chocorococo

Nolan Terry in full swing - (c) chocorococo

Nolan kick starting the evening celebrations, with a selection of songs from Frank Sinatra & Michael Bubble, to name but a few.

chocorococo fountain (c)

The chocorococo chocolate fountain, where everyone enjoyed Strawberries, Melon, Peaches, Grapes, Marshmallows & Donuts  in delicious (Giles & Posner) Belgian chocolate.

Mmmm! lovely. (c) chocorococo

Dieting over, it is time to enjoy the chocolate….

Sarah & her sister Laura, back at the fountain .(c) chocorococo

Sarah, back at the fountain with Laura .

Aaron's Auntie & relatives (c)

The buffet was plentiful, we all enjoyed a selection of sandwiches & Goats cheese , cranberry & walnut tarts, Vegetable samosas, Shish kebabs, Hoisin Duck, Spring rolls, Crispy battered chicken fillets & if that was not enough….wedding cake!

i know you!

The brides mum..Judith (c) chocorococo

Guests off our table, enjoying the evening……. ( I know you’re secret!!)

dancing the night away (c)

Guests danced well into the night, and before too long it was time to say our goodbyes , and reflect on a truly wonderful day. (c) chocorococo 2010

 The piper escorted them back up the aisle to thunderous applause, and the canapes reception, where everyone could greet the new Mr & Mrs Browne.

" I do" Sarah taking her vows. (c) A. Stonehall

It's official .... Mr & Mrs Browne (c) A. Stonehall

We all found the sparkling wine, supplied by Ian Harvey, very welcoming along with the  delicious selection of canapes, which consisted of : Beef satay with bell pepper, mini fish & chips,(yum!) – thai veg pancakes, spinach Ricotta & provincial tart & tiger prawns & melon.

We were entertained by Margaret on her piano whilst our couple went to the beautiful Botanical Gardens to have some photo’s taken,  our couple were applauded as they made their way back to the car to join their guests who were waiting their arrival at the Banqueting Suite.

Sarah & Aaron at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. (c) A. Stonehall

The Toastmaster announced the arrival of Sarah & Aaron, and the piper escorted the happy couple to their seats, where the guests applauded and cheered so loudly, that at one point you couldn’t hear the piper at all. We went straight into the speeches, where Sarah’s father Tom, told us all how Sarah always loved horses as a child, and how she used to get him to crawl around the room on all fours, as her pony…… and how when she met Aaron she told her parents Aaron reminded her of Ronan Keating…….. I think Aaron went a brighter shade of red than that of his tunic, i wander if his friends & Army colleagues will ever let him live that one down?

Aaron made his speech after Niall’s, and handed Sarah’s mum Judith,  Aaron’s mum Margarite, & myself a beautiful bunch of flowers, and wine for the ushers & my husband . I thought it was very nice & touching to have Aaron say that he & Sarah looked upon Danny & myself as their third set of parents, as he thanked us .

Aaron making his speech. (c) A. Stonehall

Before the cake was cut, Aaron announced that it was also a special day for his father…..His birthday, to which we all sang Happy Birthday, be it some what out of tune!….on to the cake cutting.

cutting of the cake. (c) A. Stonehall

That was it, speeches over, gifts handed out & the lovely cake cut….or so we thought,  Declan the front of house manager announced that they personally had a little surprise for our couple, ( even i did not know of this). They were presented with champagne glasses that had been engraved, & in a lovely presentation box as a suprise from Birmingham City Council .  Personally i thought this was a lovely gesture.

As we enjoyed our wedding breakfast of Smoked Salmon starter, followed by Chicken breast in a mushroom sauce served with  dauphinoise potatoes, Asparagus & a truffle dressing then dessert was a delicious brandy basket with berries & ice cream, our guitarist Stuart Toogood , played his guitar, which added a nice touch during the meal.

Stuart Toogood, Guitarist. (c) chocorococo

 As time progressed, we had to leave out table to set up our chocolate fountain, ready for the evening celebrations , which was a shame as we were enjoying talking to everyone , but they were all looking forward to …the chocolate fountain.

Part three of the wedding blog –  will follow shortly .(c) chocorococo2010

Welcome to the wedding of Sarah & Aaron that took place at the Birmingham Council House Banqueting Suite, August 8th 2010.

clare working her magic

When we arrived at the venue at 10.30am, Clare was busy working her magic, and soon put us to work, My husband Danny was made an honorary flower arranger for the morning , yes folks this is true, he carefully carried the beautiful tall flower arrangements and placed them on the tables, with us all shouting , “Don’t Drop them” in his ears. Our son-in-law Nick and myself were given the job of scattering Lilac, purple & Ivory petals on the tables, and doing odd jobs along the way. Very soon the room was transformed into a stunning vision, with the cutlery polished, glasses neatly arranged, place cards set , chair covers on and bows neatly tied, petals scattered & the beautiful floral arrangements taking centre stage….there was only one word to say… WOW!.

Banqueting suite looking fabulous. (c) abby stonehall

The Banqueting Suite looking stunning. (c) Abby Stonehall

the stunning floral arrangement on top table (c) Abby stonehall

The colour theme was just lovely, deep purple, lilac, pale pink & ivory.. and i was right all along in my thinking, the grand room wanted big, beautiful arrangements, to give the room more of an impact, and not small centre pieces.

the beautiful White Chocolate Wedding Cake (c) abby stonehall

Cassie arrived with her stunning 3 tier wedding cake, covered in white chocolate curls, with a drape on one side to simulate the brides train &  Lilac, Pink & Ivory chocolate roses placed around & on top of the cake. I think you will agree how lovely it looked, and it tasted nice too!!!

As the clock ticked away ever closer to midday, more and more of our suppliers arrived, armed and ready for action.Our ToastmasterSteve McTeigue , commented on how beautiful our room looked, and it was one of the nicest rooms he had seen in a long time, our  dear friend & Registrar Geoff Edwards arrived ready to afficiate and our Pianist Margaret Croucher  set up her piano, and limbered up those fingers.

Geoff & Margaret chatting before the ceremony

Aaron & Niall talking to the Toastmaster, Steve.(c) chocorococo

Margaret at her piano. (c) Abby stonehall

Aaron & Niall his best man & brother  arrived shortly after midday, with Dan the grooms man . Dan & Niall were wearing pale grey morning suits, with lilac waistcoats complimented with a deep purple cravat, supplied by Slater’s of Birmingham. The bridesmaids followed shortly  looking gorgeous in their deep purple skirts & bodice with matching wraps, supplied by Debbie of Wedding World, hair by Debbie & Becky of Francesco  group, & make up provided by my lovely daughter, Louise .

Dan & Niall, looking very smart in their suits supplied by slaters of Birmingham.(c) chocorococo

Our three lovely bridesmaids, (c) chocorococo

As Aaron went for his interview with the registrar, which i understand is a legal requirement before a civil ceremony, i joined our photographers down stairs to welcome the brides mother Judith & the grooms mum Margarite, who were a little stressed at this point, and while the vintage wedding car went to collect our bride & her father Tom, our good friend, (Doc) the piper  arrived, looking very smart. ( other wedding vehicle supplied by David Humphries.)

The Piper Malcolm (doc) & yours truly

I still do not know what a Scotsman wearsunder his kilt! …I’m liking the man-bag..oops! sorry…. sporran .

As we all made our way back upstairs, our piper went to tune up…. Incidentally how does a piper tune up?  Our Toastmaster ushered the guests into the drawing room to take their seats, where Margaret entertained us with her piano playing & the giant oak doors were closed , ready to await the arrival of our bride. Very shortly we heard the piper playing, this alerted us all to the arrival of the bride, as we all stood up , the doors were opened to reveal our stunning bride.

Doc our piper tuning up, (always said he was a bag of wind)

Sarah & her father Tom by the wedding car (C) Abby stonehall

Because there is so much to show you all, we are going to have to split the blog  into sections , plus i would be at my computer for day’s….   second part of our wedding blog….  ” THE CEREMONY”   coming soon . (c) chocorococo 2010

Captain Aaron  Browne & Mrs Sarah Browne.

It was an amazing day, and i can honestly say our forces sweethearts had the most perfect day, so please be patient, and you will be richly rewarded with some fabulous pictures, and a peek into what was the forces wedding of the year. Pictures courtesy of Abby Stonehall . (c) Chocorococo 2010

guard of honour for Aaron & Sarah

Everything going to plan so far for our forces wedding of the year, chasing up final details from our suppliers, then it will be a case of check and re check everything…….. what is the betting that the nearer it gets to D – Day … or should i say W- day, i will be a nervous wreck!!

Don’t forget it is U.K forces day on Saturday June 26th 2010, show your support for our brave men and women of the Armed Forces. (c)chocorococo

My daughter will be travelling up to us next month to see Sarah for her make up consultation , and by all accounts the wedding dress should be in for the final fitting, likewise the bridesmaids dresses, all that will remain is for me to make sure everyone knows what they are doing & where they are supposed to be etc…….. me included.

I can not believe that a years worth of planning & organising has come down to the final few weeks, i just hope that Sarah & Aaron will enjoy all we have planned for them, and with the help of everyone concerned, i can give them a perfect wedding.

next time we will be sharing with you …. THE HEN NIGHT…. (C) chocorococo

After a long chat with Steve this morning, i am more than happy we are in very capable hands,  we look forward to working with you . (c) chocorococo

wedding flowers

Also a massive thank you to all the suppliers who have already donated their services & time to Aaron & Sarah to help make their day extra special, you are all amazing.