Your Wedding Day Dream Team
Photographer: @amyelizabethphoto_
Videographer: @laurabakerproductions
Florist: @theflowerplant
Band: @opulenceband
Cookies: @bombompatisserie
Hair: @hairby_kerry
Makeup: @hayleymarieartistry
Confetti: @proper.confetti
Tell Us About Your Incredible Outfits What and who did you wear?
Dress: Lillian West from The Dressing Rooms Bridal (@TDR Bridal – Award-Winning Wedding Dress Shop in Birmingham & West Midlands)
Bride Shoes: Charles & Keith
Earrings: Tiffany, a gift from my mum for my 18th birthday.
Veil: I borrowed my older sister’s veil from her wedding in 2021.
What and who did your partner wear?
The groom wore a three-piece green suit from Cavani.
What and who did your wedding party wear: Bridesmaids all picked their own dresses! The only guidance I gave was for it be ‘green’. Groomsmen wore 3-piece green suits from Next.
Your Love Story How did you meet, was it love at first sight? Tell us about the proposal!
We met when we were both studying for our PhD’s in chemistry and worked next to each other. One pandemic later and not seeing each other due to lockdown we then started dating. 3 years later we went for a meal in at our favourite restaurant and then got engaged in the living room of our first home together!
Your Wedding Day Vision & Inspiration What was your inspiration and vision for your day?
Both coming from a science background we were keen to incorporate that into our day so had plans to include conical flasks in all our decoration. We had them filled with babys breath on the tables and at the welcome sign filled with fairy lights. Other than that, I wanted colour!
Why did you choose The West Mill Venue?
Why wouldn’t you! We were impressed from our very first viewing. The staff were all so lovely and the venue and grounds speak for themselves. I loved the space over the four floors and felt like it would really suit the wedding day we wanted.
Did you do any DIY projects?
All the signage! I became Canva’s number one user. I designed and printed the save the dates, invites, table plan, table names and unplugged ceremony sign. We bought mirrors second-hand and applied decals for our welcome sign. I also crafted everyone’s place cards into test tubes with babys breath.
Tell us about the details – Flowers, Cake, Decor, Stationary….
Since the groom doesn’t like cake we ended up having cookies from our favourite café we used to go to together in Loughborough. I knew as soon as we visit the West Mill that I wanted a neutral hanging floral arrangement to complement our colourful bouquets, and The Flower Plant did not disappoint on the vision. We took the colourful flower theme into our invites and signage as well.
Alcohol. Because No Great Story Started With A Salad (…or did it?) What was on your food & drinks menu?
Canapes: Chicken Balti on a Mini Naan with Mango Chutney, Braised Blade of Beef in Mini Yorkshire Pudding with Horseradish Cream, Potato Fritter topped with Tomato Relish, Baked Sticky Honey and Mustard Seed Sausages
Starter: Chorizo and red pepper arancini
Main: Peri Peri Chicken grazing boards (we wanted it to be a more casual affair and get the guests stuck in talking to each other!)
Dessert: Chocolate brownie with salted caramel ice cream
We had prosecco at our drinks receptions and bottled beer from a local brewery near where the groom grew up in Sheffield. We also had a Margaritas, as its my favourite cocktail and these went down a treat with guests!
The Hangover Only Lasts A Day But The Memories Last A Lifetime Can you sum up your wedding day in 3 words?
Emotional, colourful, fun.
What are your favourite memories or highlights of your day?
Both my sisters walked me down the aisle and as I turned the corner and saw Adam is a moment I’ll never forget. Immediately post ceremony being just with each other in the bridal suite, debriefing about each of our separate mornings will always be the best memory for me.
Do you have any advice for future Brides & Grooms?
Pick what’s important to you and remember it! It’s easy to get caught up in planning and lose sight that its about the two of you and not about pleasing everyone else. At the end of the day, it’s to celebrate your love and that should be the key thing.
Loved reading about Helena & Adam’s day? Read more real wedding stories here.