Ever since we first met we got on famously and you definitely became, not only a friend, but someone who was with us every step of the way. We couldn't have done it without you or with so many laughs!
Steven and Andrea were marrying in the small village where they live and wanted a church wedding followed by a slightly more bohemian wedding reception that reflected them and their taste.
The Wedding
We decided it appropriate to adopt a slight Shakespearean theme to the day as a nod to the fact that Shakespeare wrote 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at The Elvetham where they were hosting their reception.
My recommended dress designer designed the bride's dress in keeping with the look - a gold, slightly medieval lace corseted dress. To complement this, the florist created a trailing bouquet of flowers, herbs and foliage - the look being of a bouquet just picked fresh from their garden.
At the church, Rosemary hearts hung over the gate with larger versions on the gates. The pathway was scattered with lavender that crushed as guests walked over it, releasing a lovely perfume. Inside the old church we placed storm shades and nickel lanterns to create a flickering glow.
During the ceremony the Groom's daughter sang a song and during the signing of the register we played an especially composed love song by Steven. As the couple left the church in their vintage car, guests showered them with fresh rose petals and lavender.
At the Elvetham, the drinks reception was held outside, and guests were greeted by a String Quartet. To help guests mingle and enjoy the time, a close up magician kept them entertained.
We had decorated the ballroom in the chosen colour scheme of gold and burgundy to reflect the Baroque/Bohemian theme. Each table was clothed in gold damask with a burgundy damask napkin at each place setting. Tucked into this was a personalised menu that doubled as a placecard. To add some fun, I had suggested that I translate all the guest names into old English and have them spelt this way on the menus, it proved a great talking point!
Andrea and Steve had wanted to give their guests something special as a gift and I suggested a book of poetry, so with each invitation, we requested that guests send with their reply their favourite poem. These were then compiled into a personalised book complete with some history of the Elvetham and a message from the couple and placed at each setting.
The tables were all named after Shakespeare's plays. The floral décor was a mixture of high and low arrangements - tall candelabra with flowers pinned to the stem and crystals draping from the arms and low goldleaf-aged boxes full of flowers in the vivacious colours we chose to complement the colour scheme.
The Elvetham staff told us they had never seen the room looks so beautiful or seen such a stylish wedding.
After dinner, guests made their way to the staircase where Andrea and Steve cut their cake, a stacked cake decorated with their names calligraphy style. We then led guests down the lantern lit hallway outside to watch a fireworks display.
Straight after this the band struck up the Conservatory that was now converted into a 'nightclub' complete with starcloth draped walls, black and white dancefloor, pink tinged uplighters and a light-panelled bar with poser tables surrounding it.
Photography by Nikki Holland