Real Wedding at The West Mill Venue, Derbyshire
Your Love Story?
We met 12 years ago when I visited my brother at university, Gareth was his friend and they lived in student halls together. After my brother introduced me and I left the room Gareth apparently did a little dance of joy! We started dating and we’ve been together ever since.
The proposal happened whilst visiting the Edinburgh fringe festival. He walked me to the top of Arthur’s Seat, well I say walked, he had to drag me up there as I was moaning that we had already walked up there on our last visit! When we reached the top I sat down and started to complain about my blisters, the whole time poor Gareth is trying to get me to stand up, I just kept trying to show him my foot until he eventually just got fed up and got down on one knee and proposed! I can’t repeat what I said as I was shocked and thought he was taking the p*ss. I eventually said yes.
What was your inspiration and vision for your day?
I’m not sure how to describe it to be honest! Gareth was happy for me to take the lead as he knew I wanted to design it myself. I’m a graphic designer so I was more excited about the stationery than the dress! I guess the vision I had was really about colour, shape and texture than an exact theme. I was obsessed with fluted glass and dried palms so that was a huge influence.
As for the day as a whole we just wanted everyone to be relaxed and enjoy it. We are quite laid back so we just wanted the day to reflect us as a couple, which it did so we were really pleased with how it went.
Why did you choose The West Mill Venue?
We just fell in love with the building. Its the only venue we looked at. We didn’t want a church or a barn, this just felt like us. The decor is refined and understated letting the building speak for itself, you could walk straight in and get married with no decoration, flowers, signs. Its just the most beautiful place. And the staff were impeccable, Kathryn our event organiser would appear throughout the day to keep everything ticking over but it never felt intrusive. The whole day ran like clockwork, no stress at all.
Did you do any DIY projects?
Yep! Loads! This was the most stressful part but also my favourite. I designed all of the stationery and signage. I made the guestbook myself using the same design that I used for the seating plan and order of events. The large welcome sign I made from acrylic, plywood and vinyl cut lettering. I hand painted the dried palm leaves that were dotted around in vases. I was in my element!
Tell us about the details…
The flowers were by the incredibly talented Nadia. She really blew us away with how on point the colours and styling were! Even better than we had imagined! My bouquet was next level, so beautiful!!
The cake was made by Helen of Cottonwood Bakery and oh my god did it taste amazing, although I missed out on the chocolate orange layer I heard it was the best! Lime and mint for the top layer and lemon for the bottom, they were delicious.
For table names we struggled for a while and eventually decided to use all of the weird names Gareth makes up for himself, me or random objects, for example ‘Larry Bits & Bobs’. They all came with dictionary definitions for the guests, “Larry Bits & Bobs: An endearing name Gareth has given Kira when referring to her ever growing collection of “House Tat”.
The whole day was captured by our incredible photographer Colin Ross, he somehow managed to make the two most awkward people in the world look good! Very talented guy.
What was on the Menu?
We had a gin bar outside which everyone loved, lots of different flavours and tonics, it went down really well.
Our wedding breakfast menu started with braised ox cheek with a leek and potato rosti. Followed by breast of chicken wrapped in pancetta filled with mushroom, tarragon and sundried tomatoes with a white wine and tarragon sauce. Served with Dauphinoise Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots and Shredded Savoy Cabbage with Smoked Bacon. Dessert was a Warm French Apple Tart Tatin with Toffee Glace and a Quenelle of Calvados Cream, rounded off with tea, coffee and a shot of port! The portions were huge!
What was your favourite part of the wedding?
Walking into a room filled with our favourite people, just unforgettable. Everyone celebrating and enjoying the day as much as we were.
Do you have any advice for future brides & grooms?
Sweat the small stuff before the wedding, not on the day. Just relax and enjoy being with the people you love.
If you’ve been inspired by Kira & Gareth’s wedding and would like to know more about The West Mill, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to download a Wedding Brochure or get in touch.