Your Wedding Day Dream Team
Photographer: Ben Renshaw @benrenshawphotoandfilm
Videographer: Ben Renshaw @benrenshawphotoandfilm
Hair & Makeup: Bride = Gemma Walker @belles_beauty.nails.lashes
Bridesmaids = Helena Walker @ohhelmakeupartist
Florist: Brambles, Mansfield @bramblesflorist
Band/DJ: Rock My Reception @rockmyreception
Magician: Paul Grundle @paulgrudlemagician
Photo Booth: The Luxe 360 Booths @theluxe360
Tell Us About Your Incredible Outfits What and who did you wear?
The dress – ‘Aiden’ by the designer Sophia Tolli. I bought the dress from Ava May Bridal in Solihull.
The Veil and shoes – Lace and Favour
Jewellery – My back necklace was a bargain form Shein! Earrings were another bargain from Amazon!
What and who did your partner wear?
The suits – the groom and groomsmen all wore Marc Jacobs Suits from Blidsworth Menswear, Mansfield
What and who did your wedding party wear?
The bridesmaids wore multiway dresses by Jacqueline Louise from Finesses Brides and Grooms, Clay Cross
Your Love Story How did you meet, was it love at first sight? Tell us about the proposal!
We knew each other from working together years ago but bumped into each other 7 years ago. The proposal took place on holiday in Cyprus. The engagement ring had its own tour around the island when it was left on the transfer bus when we first arrived!
Your Wedding Day Vision & Inspiration What was your inspiration and vision for your day?
Classy and uncomplicated. I wanted to keep the décor simple. We had hurricane lamps and floating candles everywhere. Flowers were only used in the bouquets and buttonholes. For us, our wedding day was to be a big party with all our family and friends.
Why did you choose The West Mill Venue?
Why wouldn’t you? As soon as we walked out onto the ceremony floor when we looked round, we both felt emotional and knew straight away that that’s where we would seal the deal! We never doubted our decision and had the most amazing day.
Did you do any DIY projects?
I did so much DIYing for the wedding not because I’m particularly creative, but I always think I can do something and save money! I invested in a Cricut Joy machine (recommend) and made our Save the Dates, Invitations, Menus/Place cards, welcome, table and box signs and ceremony ‘singalong’ lyric cards with thank yous.
Tell us about the details – Flowers, Cake, Decor, Stationary….
Flowers – I wanted very simple but textured white and green for our wedding flowers. I also didn’t want the bouquets to be big – my dress was simple and my bridesmaids are utterly gorgeous so didn’t feel we needed anything overpowering.
Cake – My amazing niece Evie offered to make our cake after a couple of cocktails! She did the best job. It was huge and looked and tasted beautiful!
Décor – We just wanted to keep the décor simple. The West Mill is so stunning, it really doesn’t need a lot. As we got married in February, we knew that it would get dark quite early. We wanted to create a romantic atmosphere with the lighting. We had hundreds of hurricane lamps with floating candles that we used for both the ceremony and the wedding breakfast.
Alcohol. Because No Great Story Started With A Salad (…or did it?) What was on your food & drinks menu?
Now the alcohol was most definately my husband’s area of business…
This was the most thought about area of the wedding! My husband spent hours considering different people and thinking how much of this and that they would consume at the drinks reception and then the wedding breakfast. More lists were written and boxes of wine counted. We even went to the local Morrisons after dropping our alcohol off as he felt we didn’t have enough! Safe to say we now have enough alcohol stored in our garage for a year’s worth of BBQ’s, weekends and parties!!
Anyway, we had Prosecco (rose and white), Madri, cider and hot chocolate with Baileys for the drinks reception. We had red, white and rose wine for the meal with Rose Prosecco for our toast.
For our Wedding Breakfast we offered a choice:-
Starters
Spiced Butternut Soup with Smoky Chorizo
Goats Cheese and Red Onion Tart on Mixed Leaves with Onion Chutney
Baked Flat Mushroom Topped with Pan Fried Onions, Balsamic & Vine Tomatoes
Main
Slow Cooked Beef Short Rib; Mashed Potato; Tender stem Broccoli; Red Wine Jus
Breast of Chicken Wrapped in Pancetta filled with Sage and Onion Stuffing; Chicken Jus; Garlic and Herb Roasted Potatoes in Skins
Asparagus & Broad Bean Risotto served in an Oven Baked Pepper (VE)(GF)
Desserts
Warm Chocolate Fudge Brownie; Vanilla Ice Cream
Raspberry Creme Brulee; Shortbread Biscuit
Apple and Rhubarb Crumble & Ice Cream
THE FOOD WAS AMAZING!!!
The Hangover Only Lasts A Day But The Memories Last A Lifetime Can you sum up your wedding day in 3 words?
Emotional, Unforgettable, Perfect
What are your favourite memories or highlights of your day?
All of it! The ceremony was intimate and perfect, the drinks reception, as I was mesmerised and laughing non-stop with the magician and the music throughout the day which just fitted exactly with each aspect of the day. Then sharing all of this with our favourite people!
Do you have any advice for future Brides & Grooms?
Make it just about you as a couple. Don’t worry about the small details (your guests really won’t notice!) just get the key parts as you want them, and the rest will flow.
Want more inspiration? Head over to our Real Wedding Blog!