Wedding No. 2 - Bollywood dreams

For Miss Magie, one wedding was just not enough.

So, a few days after our London nuptials, we flew out to Marrakech for a little bit more celebrating...with over 200 of our closest family and friends in tow.

It was a year in the planning and after bombs, protests, riots, a certain active volcano, airline strikes and the like, a pretty tense year at that. But, with everyone making it out to Marrakech safe and sound (the same can not be said for the luggage - luckily not mine!) we could finally relax and enjoy the festivities.

THE MORNING

It all kicked off on the Friday morning with our "Mandvo" ceremonies. This is where my beau and I lay the foundations of our marriage. Very strong and stable foundations. No future underpinning required.

It all took place in the lush gardens of the Palmeraie Golf Palace, where all of our guests were staying (I think some may have come to the ceremony direct from their night out!).

It was a pretty early start and having not slept a wink (it was a million times more exciting than Christmas Eve) I gave myself a good twenty minutes in which to get ready. Sticking my hair up in to a bun, whacking on some make-up and shoving on my sari, above was the outcome. This is one of my favourite wedding saris - it's so beautifully embroidered - Thank you mummy Magpie!

There was lots of praying, some crying and generally an air of excitement as the wedding festivities began.

THE EVENING

After a few hours of rest...

Actually, that's a lie...no rest for me...

The evening's festivities kicked off at 5pm at the stunning Dar Sabra boutique hotel, with my family and friends arriving first, so that they could greet my beau and his family as they arrived at the venue.

There he is, being brought in by his cousins and my parentals...

Not one for a fuss, I decided to make my entrance a little more demure:

 

Photo by Joe Lasky Photography

Embracing the Moroccan tradition, I was brought in on an Amari throne, heralded by trumpeteers. Discreet it was not. Fun it certainly was!

I wore a chiffon and net, sequin embroidered cream sari from Sonas Haute Couture and head dress from Rene Walrus. Sandals were Jimmy Choo. Obvs.

We'd (erm, I'd) chosen fuchsia as our colour theme, so it was only sensible to provide shelter from the sun for our guests in the way of draped pink fabric.

Placed on each chair (we were in love with these perspex Napoleon chairs) was a brightly coloured fan, made from carved wood, that we had picked up on our recent travels to Cambodia. They were even fragranced!

The ceremony took place underneath a Mandap. Once again, we went for a very subtle look:

Not.

And like all under-stated brides, I had just six bridesmaids. That's all.

Devina, Siam, Grace, Emily, Priya, Neha

Don't they look just gorgeous!

And here we are again...married now in the eyes of religion...looking rather pleased with ourselves!

Following the ceremony, we wined and fed our guests with Moroccan vino and canapes. Meanwhile I changed and my beau and I made a rather discreet entrance:

Just a few trumpets and drums. I even walked this time!

I chose another sari by Sonas Couture... It weighed a tonne, but was very sparkly so I was smitten. Natch.

Finally, we got to have a little drink and chat to our friends...all of whom had gone to amazing lengths to wear Indian clothing.

The place was a vision of colour and sparkle!


Then we sat down for dinner...

Huge fuchsia Atlas roses and lots of candles set the secene, 

while tables were named after our fave places in India.

...which came complete with Moroccan entertainment: Belly dancers, musicians, ladies with trays of candles on their heads (?!), acrobats...

...and thus, the party began...

It really was our Bollywood dream come true!

Wedding No. 1 - The Registry Office

Wedding No. 1? Yes, that's right. Wedding No. 1 out of 3.
Like I always say, there's no point doing something unless you are going to do it properly!

So, on Friday June 24th, my beau and I tied the knot at the ultra glamorous (!) Enfield Registry Office. Marylebone Town Hall is so last year.

It was an emotionally charged day, with tears all round. Tears of joy, I'm sure. My tears began as soon as I started walking down the aisle. With my Grandfather on one arm and my Father on the other, and with my beau waiting for me in the distance, it was really quite overwhelming.

Lucky me: Two of the greatest men the world has ever seen, standing on either side of me.

My top lip is quivering...hold it together...

I've reached the end and now my beau is the one in tears! I love this shot...

Before we knew it, we were pronounced husband and wife:

And with the blink of an eye, we were a Mr & Mrs, with everyone around congratulating us. It was one of the most surreal moments of my life. I wish I could do it all over again...in slow motion!

No wedding is complete without confetti in your eye!

See, Enfield Registry Office is really quite pretty.

The obligatory groom carrying bride photo...which all brides love. And all grooms dread!

I don't think we could look much happier!

And there you have it. Our 'official' wedding. In and out in 30 minutes. Good job there were two more to go! How other brides have just one wedding is beyond me ;-)

Now, down to the best bit. The clothes. 

My handsome beau had a three-piece suit tailored in Hong Kong. It was charcoal grey with a black satin collar and was based on a Dolce suit I'd seen in a mag. The tailor did rather a good job I think.

I opted for a white column dress from Notte by Marchesa, which I teamed with gold sandals from Jimmy Choo (can be seen in pics above), and a diamond and sapphire jewellery set that was a wedding gift from my grandparents (erm, how amazing!).

And to top it off, a beautiful bunch of fuschia Peonies. My fave!

Following on from this, my beau's parents held a lunch for 120 people, followed by a reception for 500. Like I said, this was a very small wedding!

At 11pm, we set off together for our first night of marital bliss, in to the Hertforshire countryside.

Marital argument no.1.
Following bad directions in the dark is very hard. Men just don't seem to get it.

Anyway, once we finally got there we had a lovely night as Mr & Mrs. I won't show you the other outfits from the day ;-)

Next morning, it was an early start as we had to return home for the next set of events.

For my first outfit as a married woman, I chose Paris as my inspiration:

Well, sort of.

Right, bed time. 'Til tomorrow...

Mrs Magpie
xxx

Brother Gym's birthday bash

Yesterday saw my little brother turn the ripe old age of 25. Gulp! Miss Magpie is beginning to feel old.

In order to celebrate this milestone birthday, the whole family were treated to a slap-up lunch at Hibiscus - a fabulous 2 Michelin star restaurant hidden behind London's Regent Street.

My wardrobe choice for this special day was very important. With an eight course tasting menu, I needed to look chic but feel comfortable, as my waistline was bound to expand during the day!

I opted for this Anna Sui belted dress, accessorised with a pair gold snakeskin Jimmy Choos, burgundy Mawi snakeskin clutch bag and a Dsquared2 gold necklace. I really love the print and colour of the dress and since I haven't worn it in yonks, I thought it deserved an outing.

Interestingly, my little bro and Daddy Magpie went for the same look as each other:

Don't they look handsome? Perhaps a little nightclub bouncer, but only at the classiest establishment of course! Very smart.

Now to the meal. My favourite course? The amuse-bouche.

Strawberry fizz with a pineapple foam, dusted with basil and containing a popping surprise. As we swallowed the contents of the glass, like a shot, these large pineapple flavoured bubbles exploded in our mouths. Sensational!

In fact, the whole day was sensational. Happy Birthday, lil' bro.

FYI My little brother, also known as Brother Gym, is a fabulous writer, personal trainer and blogger. Check out his fantastic blog right here.