From searching for the perfect traditional countryside venue to spending their special day at Bourton Hall.
Tell us about the proposal – how and where did it happen?
The proposal happened on a trip to Dorset in 2020, where I was showing Tom an area that meant a lot to me growing up. It was the first time we’d been able to travel due to Covid, so it felt really special to be away. We were out walking with the dog, and when we reached a point called Old Harry Rocks, I was taking pictures out to sea and turned around to see Tom on one knee (and the dog sat very happily). As very easy ‘Yes’ and a few tears occurred and that was it!
A weekend I’ll never forget; including not being able to go anywhere to celebrate, so we bought a bottle of bubbly and drank it on the beach under the stars, using glasses from our Airbnb! 
What was your first step in planning your wedding, did you use blogs/magazines etc?
Alice may or may not have spent the night after the engagement instantly looking at wedding venues and following all wedding Instagram accounts. We didn’t have an instant idea of what we wanted but blogs, Instagram’s and Pinterest were a great place to start to see what we liked and didn’t like. We knew we wanted to get the venue sorted first as it makes picturing everything easier and also, to us, it was basically the most important element. Alice created a Pinterest board AND a journal because it’s a great excuse to get arty!
What were your wedding “must have’s”?
Traditional and formal-ish day where people could dress up a bit! Older venue with beautiful backdrops in and outside. Preferable countryside venue but with accommodation. Generally knew we wanted a natural theme with regards to colours. Enough space for all our friends and family without feeling cramped!
Wedding budget: how did you organise your wedding budget?
This may have been something we should have organised better! We tried to do somethings ourselves and then had other things that were well worth paying for, such as the venue, the photographer, and the videographer! Friends and family gave advice from what they remembered of their own weddings and, from our own experience of going to weddings, we thought we knew where it was worth spending money for the added wow factor!
How did you find your venue and what made you choose it?
We found the venue through Googling certain regions of the country and then filtered on budget and visual impact that accounted for our requirements. We loved so many elements which is what put it above the others, there wasn’t a corner inside or outside that you didn’t feel looked good. The age of the venue, the staircase, the gardens, the rooms; they ticked every box! I think we both knew quite quickly when we looked round that it was the one!
Styling your wedding: how did you personalise your big day?
We went for a very natural green and white theme which leant itself well to wisteria and foliage as decorations around the staircase, tables etc. We had wisteria trees big and small on tables to utilise the beautiful height of the rooms. Each table and chair had greenery attached and we had a flower wall also! We also had a little gin theme throughout the day; from the wedding favours to the table names and even a couple of candles scattered throughout. Can’t have a 100+ gin collection and it not feature at the wedding!
Did the venue provide any memorable extras or nice personal touches that stood out?
So many touches that were scattered throughout that it makes it impossible to list them all. You felt like everything was bespoke to yourself and you were the rightful centre of attention, in a good way!
Describe your wedding attire and favourite accessories
Everyone says you often pick a dress you didn’t expect/see online and that was the case! Not what I thought I’d suit but knew the moment I put it on it was the one. I didn’t think I’d know or feel anything special but I certainly did.
Also, I didn’t want a veil but actually once in the dress it just worked! I only wore it for the ceremony though. Loved my intricate flower hair pieces I had braided into my plait – they were glass and tied into the green theme. I had a ring made from family jewellery so that counted as my old, new and blue. Plus, another ring as my sometime borrowed! My brother surprised me with pearls the morning of the wedding which was a complete surprise as well!
What did your partner wear?
Tom wore full deep grey tails, which he picked out with family, paired with a white waistcoat and green accessories (pocket square and cravat) to match the colour scheme. It was very smart, traditional and that extra bit special! New cufflinks (with the coordinates of the venue on) and black shoes to top it off!
Tell us about your Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and their outfits
We had four bridesmaids and four Groomsman, including our maid of honour and best man. It was a mix of friends and siblings who we all asked individually with a gift in tow. A couple were over Facetime as it was during Covid!
The bridesmaids were all in forest green. They wore the same shade and material but had different styles that they picked to ensure they felt totally comfortable! We went with roses for the buttonholes and green pocket squares, and tails for the men – they loved the dressing up too!
What was your ceremony like?
Simple and beautiful (and not too long!). We had a singer for walking down the aisle, while signing and when leaving. The father of the bride walked bride down the isle and we tried to include other family with readings – such as brother of the bride and mother of the groom, which was really special.
Tell us about your drinks reception and wedding breakfast
We had some lovely canapés for our reception with Prosecco and a good supply of cocktails and beers. The cocktails were a huge hit! The wedding breakfast was all perfect and we got lots of compliments on the food – the key was that it was filling (and we gave some choice)! We went for the extra sorbet course too! Highly recommend doing the speeches first; gets them done so everyone can relax and everyone’s still sober/listening aha! We loved how emotional, as well as funny, our speeches were – especially the brother of the bride speech!
Did you have a band or DJ for your evening reception? Did you have a first dance – what song did you choose?
We went for the Bourton Hall’s recommended DJ which was perfect. Yes, we had a first dance, although this was a touch too much ‘centre of attention’ for the bride, especially with her two left feet aha! Our song was ‘The End’ by Earl Grant.
Based on your own experience, give us some top tips:
We would say, get the venue and style of what you want as early as possible, and vendors and people in ASAP. Keep a spreadsheet so you can keep track of the costs. Have an internal budget and look for details that you could do yourselves, such as favours etc. to keep the costs down. Enjoy it and relax, we thoroughly enjoyed all the build up and chance to celebrate with family before the wedding as well. Don’t rush the engagement stage (it only happens once!), and try and avoid stress! Take it all in and keep the memories.
Did you go on a honeymoon or mini-moon?
We took a mini-moon straight after the wedding and went to Croatia. It’s a place we have been to before but was a really nice, hot break where we could just unwind and be with just ourselves. Our honeymoon is in December and we are off to the Caribbean on a cruise around all the islands. We cannot wait, and it’s just as the weather here turns bad so we can get out there and see some sun! Also, we felt if we extended the whole experience, then it wasn’t all over in one go! (Spreads cost too!)
“If we could do it all again, we’d…”
Change nothing to be honest. If you have the right people there (guests and venue/suppliers), then you’ll have the best day of your life.
Purchase & Hire – Tell us who your suppliers were:
Wedding attire: Wedding belles (dress) Peters Posh (suits)
The accessories: Sarah Patel Artisan Jewellery
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Davids Bridal
Wedding rings: Marlows and Sonny’s Jewellery, both Jewellery Quarter Birmingham
Wedding cake: Pink Flamingo Bakes
Invitations: feelgoodinvites
Photographer: Ella Parkinson Photography, Videographer: First Class Weddings
Band/disco/DJ: In house DJ
Other: Rustic Wedding Company (Flowers and Styling)
