We are so lucky to have such lovely family and friends to make our wedding party complete.
Just so you know who they all are on the day, here’s a little profile on each of them.
Bride and Groom:
Gemma Bigwood and Kieran Allen - Gemma and Kieran met 9 years ago in St Anton on a ski season. After many a flirtation on the airport-run minibus, they finally decided to go on a date to Bar 37. Once the season ended, they kept in contact and both continued to travel to places such as Canada, Greece and South East Asia, they tried the long distance thing but love prevailed and Gemma settled herself in Brighton with Kieran. Many years later, they are now both teachers and happy home owners in Hove (Actually) where Florrie made the perfect addition to their family. Their 'wedmin' is going well .. if a little slow, but they really cannot wait to marry each other and share their special day with everyone they know and love.
The Ushers:
Gareth Power - (Taffy) Kieran and Gareth met at the beginning of Kieran's teaching career at Lewes College. They spent 5 years sharing an office and founding their daily breakfast club where they mused over all things manly - football and...........! On Kieran's second day at Lewes, he found Gareth in the First Aid Room sleeping off a migraine (hangover) so if there's red wine going spare on the table, Taffy is well known to like second hand items! They have shared many adventures including Asia, the Three Peaks, the London to Paris bike ride and of course many a night in the Wick.
Dan Poulter - (Poults) Dan and Kieran's friendship goes back a long way, predominantly through a mutual love of football, the gym (sometimes) and volleyball, where Dan is apparently the gaffer. Dan can be found trying to look cool somewhere, be that at the bar with a bottle of Budweiser (Ladies beware); on the ski slopes or in Top Man buying clothes that only a 20 year old can pull off. That said, Kieran really values Dan's friendship and knows that he's the man to call when him and Gemma need to move house again. (Dan's a man with a van!)
Lloyd Hooper - (Lloydy) Kieran and Lloyd also met whilst teaching and it was Lloyd who persuaded Kieran to take up his current role at City College Brighton where they have formed a firm friendship. They can be overheard putting the World of education to rights at work or on cycle ride home. Lloyd can be found about 50 meters ahead of Kieran in Hove's weekly Park Run or Wilbury Road Small Batch - where he'll be settling "his tab". He's been known to coin the phrase "you can't budget fun" and so Kieran and Gemma are hoping the first round of Jaeger is on Lloydy.
Best Man:
Sebastian Allen - (Baz) Kieran and Baz also go back a long way - as brothers! With an age gap of only 1 year and 2 days (Kieran the senior), they spent much time when growing up playing sport, on holiday or generally winding each other up. Kieran and Baz lived with each other through University, the flat was to be entered at your own risk and not for the feint hearted. Baz now lives in Essex and although they don't spent as much time together as Kieran would like, when they meet up they invariably pick up where they left off - talking football and taking the ...........! Baz's son George will be accompanying the wedding party as Page Boy.
Chief Bridesmaid:
Florence Ava Allen - (Florrie) Florrie is Gemma and Kieran's first and currently favourite child. She joined the Allenwood party back in 2014 and can often be found frequenting all the NCT hang outs in Hove with her best pals Carla and Sophie and not forgetting her boyfriend Edison.
Bridesmaids:
Francesca Bigwood - Frankie : Frankie is Gemma's big sister and has been planning this wedding and Gemma's hen do in her head forever. Frankie lives just a mere 20 doors away from Gemma, Kieran and Florrie and pops over most mornings for coffee before work. Frankie is super excited about her little sis getting married and can't wait for Kieran to be her brother in law. Frankie adores Florrie and openly admits she's definitely her favourite goddaughter. Frankie is incredibly honoured to be walking down the aisle with Florrie who is of course Chief Bridesmaid.
Verity Michael - Verity and Gemma met in 2003 in Greece where most people thought they were sisters. Verity was told not to hang around with Gemma because she was "trouble", so they immediately formed a firm friendship. Despite now living miles apart their friendship is still as strong as ever with weekly chats about motherhood, diets and running.
Sarah Leigh - Sarah is Kieran's younger sister and has put up with Baz and Kieran's "banter" over the years. More recently she's found her feet and explored the world and will be travelling back all the way back from Australia for the wedding. Sarah's formed a great relationship with Florrie over the last year, they especially love going swimming and hanging out together.
Hayley Clarke-Jones - (Princess Hayley Darling - PHD) - Hayley is Gemma's youngest cousin and likes to think she's their granddad's favourite. Gemma looks upon PHD as a younger sister, willingly imparting her style knowledge and wisdom - Hayley chooses to ignore both and will normally respond with a witty comment. Hayley loves visiting Hove, especially Paris #thewinebar, not as she pointed out the City. Gemma and Kieran can't wait for Hayley to be part of the day as they know she will look stunning, although careful not to upstage the bride.
Alice and Matilda Bigwood - Gemma's nieces Alice and Tilly will have the great honour of walking down the aisle first. Gemma and Kieran are delighted that they will be there as flower girls on their special day. The girls are so excited and can't wait to dress up.
Mother of the Bride:
Carmela Clarke - Gemma's is Carmela's youngest daughter. Carmela has been a great help to plan and organise the wedding so far. she will be in charge of Gemma on the morning of the wedding and getting her to the church on time but you can see the church from her house, so not too far to go. At the time of going to print, Mother of the Bride is still deciding what to wear, but they've no doubt she'll be as glamorous as ever.
Father of the Bride:
Simon Bigwood - Gemma's dad and his wife Gina have two weddings in two weeks with their youngest each getting married, so in true Bigwood style, practical dad will prevail and his to-do list will be at the ready... although he doesn't know it yet. (thanks dad) We hope he has his speech prepared, all those years of teaching should pay off.
Mother of the Groom:
Lesley Leigh - Lesley like Sarah was not just a witness but also played referee in Kieran and Baz' "moments" growing up. She ALWAYS has a smile on her face and Kieran knows he can go to her whenever he needs anything and will be when Florrie needs a swimming lesson. Lesley and Al love going on holiday, we just hope they don't discover a cheeky Teletext deal the same week as the wedding.
Father of the Groom:
Greg Allen - Greg is one of the bravest men that Kieran knows, by putting himself forward to go on the stag do to Andorra. Kieran and Gemma were fortunate enough to live with Greg and Jane whilst saving for their home in Hove. throughout this time, Kieran learnt about his dad's love of laminates, graphs and anything gadget related. Greg and Jane are so organised they'd booked their hotel for the wedding before Kieran even proposed.
