Tell us about the proposal – how and where did it happen?
We have been together for 4 years and planned a holiday to Cyprus to celebrate. Our first holiday abroad since COVID restrictions. James had to sneak the ring through baggage security. Every evening before dinner we would go for a walk at sunset along the beachfront. On the fifth day, James chose this moment to propose to me. Of course, I said ‘yes!’
What was your first step in planning your wedding, did you use blogs/magazines etc?
The first step in planning our wedding was finding the venue. We made a list of must-have guests to make sure there was a minimum then a second group of guests for if the venue budget allowed. We viewed three venues before visiting Bourton Hall, none of which compared.
What were your wedding “must have’s”?
The top must-have was having the right people around us to celebrate that moment in our lives. Our venue must-haves were indoor space having planned an autumnal wedding. Also, a place for guests to stay as the bridal party were not local.
Wedding budget: how did you organise your wedding budget?
Once we found a venue we then worked from there, looking at how much each guest would cost and set a budget from there. There was a special offer for our wedding date at the venue which allowed for money to be saved and spent on a singer and the rental of a pool table and operations table.
The easiest way to reduce your spending is the reduction of guests. If there is a guest you as a couple aren’t close to but you are under pressure to invite do not be afraid to give them a reception-only invite. Plus ones is another way to reduce numbers. We had a rule that you’d only get a plus one if you were married or living together long-term.
How did you find your venue and what made you choose it?
We found our wedding venue on Hitched. It was a venue made for us as a couple. That ceremony room!! The Chapel had that wow factor we didn’t even know we were looking for in our day. The venue was beautiful by itself, meaning that we didn’t have to spend money and time to make it look and feel special.
Styling your wedding: how did you personalise your big day?
Our theme was ‘things we love’. Some we were able to do as part of the wedding package such as our favourite food being the wedding breakfast and having our favourite cocktails as the welcome drinks.
Another personalisation of our day was an aviation theme as James is a pilot, including an arrivals board table plan with matching table names. The place names were paper aeroplanes. All 94 of them were made by hand! We also have a love of the pool, so we rented a pool table for evening entertainment.
Did the venue provide any memorable extras or nice personal touches that stood out?
Bourton Hall spend time making sure that each wedding is personalised. One thing that was extra special for us was having a Philadelphia Cheesecake as our wedding cake come wedding breakfast dessert. Cheesecake is our favourite dessert, so was a cheeky twist on a wedding cake. With no question at all the catering team created the Cheesecake and it was amazing!
Describe your wedding attire and favourite accessories
Two words – autumnal and timeless. We felt a million dollars. My favourite part of my wedding dress was the lace train on my satin ballgown. Uniquely perfect. Sparkly shoes offset the serious with some fun! Accessories are not something I normally wear, so there was a balance between looking my best and feeling myself. I choose traditional earrings and a necklace with a delicate veil and hairpiece to complete.
What did your partner wear?
We decided to rent the suits for our wedding. It all came down to cost but it is something we do not regret. Everyone looked amazing in their navy blue suits with tie and pocket hankie to match the bridesmaids. The company was a recommendation from a work colleague.
Tell us about your Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and their outfits
We had two bridesmaids on our day, my sisters Sophie & Serena. Serena being pregnant for our day meant that the dress had to be practical as well as elegant. We found the bridesmaid’s dresses on Coast with the only rule being the colour. The bridesmaids were allowed to pick different dresses from one another but they both agreed on the same design.
My nieces and nephew did amazingly on the day playing the part of flower girl, page boy and ring bearer. They loved dressing up as princesses and princes.
James’s brother was the best man. He wore a matching suit to James and of course a pair of aeroplane socks.
What was your ceremony like?
Our ceremony was emotional. James had recorded a favourite piece of music on the guitar for me and my dad, Keith, to walk down the aisle to. My mum wrote a poem about me which is a family tradition. We had chosen personalised vows whilst exchanging rings and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Tell us about your drinks reception and wedding breakfast
Our welcome drinks were my favourite cocktail, Strawberry Daiquiri and James’s favourite cocktail, a Cosmopolitan. This was a great way of doing something different at our wedding at no extra cost. The wedding breakfast was perfection. We had two choices for starters and mains; one a meat choice and the other vegetarian/vegan. Starters were Duck Confit or Leek & Potato Soup. The Main was Beef Wellington or Vegetable Wellington. Everything was 10/10. We would love to return to have the same meal again where we don’t have to worry about having to get on the dance floor after and instead be able to have a food coma.
Did you have a band or DJ for your evening reception? Did you have a first dance – what song did you choose?
We had a singer during our welcome drinks who stayed to perform our first dance to Etta James’ ‘At Last’. Claire was amazing. She blew everyone away. We decided to choreograph our first dance so as to not bore our guests and had lots of fun practising in the kitchen. After the singer finished the in-house DJ took over. We had sent 15 songs of our choice across for the DJ to learn what we like. This was hard to pick but turned out great. The best was the last dance which was Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’ at the end, and the DJ took a picture of the last ones standing on the dancefloor.
Music is such an important part of your day and sets the mood for different points of your day and it helps personalise it. It is worth the time getting right. Doesn’t have to cost you either. A free 3-month subscription to Spotify and you could create playlists for each part of the day to be played through the venue speakers.
Based on your own experience, give us some top tips
Don’t stress. If you have the right people around you on your day nothing else matters. If you’re going to buy items to personalise your day, buy something you will keep. We purchased a ‘The Jelleys’ neon sign which is now prise possession in our lounge.
Did you go on a honeymoon or mini-moon?
We chose St Lucia as our honeymoon destination. The Sunshine was perfect in November. Time to reflect on our day together and continue the celebrations.
“If we could do it all again, we’d…?
Have the exact same day again with the best people and the perfect venue.
Tell us who your suppliers were:
Bride dress: Romantica of Devon
Grooms suit: Jon Paul Menswear
Earrings: Swarovski
Necklace: Pandora
Shoes: Dune
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Coast
Other outfits: flower girl & page boy both from Next
Wedding rings: Grooms ring Fraser Hart
Brides ring: Goldsmiths
Wedding cake: Bourton Hall
Invitations: Friend of Bride, Tania Kneafsey
Photographer: Elizabeth Young
Band/disco/DJ: Claire Louise Rosetta
Pool Table & Giant operations games from Games-2-hire
