Louisa & Jonathan

Real Wedding at The West Mill Venue, Derbyshire

Your Love Story?

We met when Louisa was contracting where I worked 4 years ago. The proposal was very romantic!!! I was waiting for the ring to be delivered so I could propose, however Louisa was at home, ill when the ring was delivered and signed for it so knew what it was and insisted on wearing it that evening!

What was your inspiration and vision for your day?

We wanted a dark winter theme with a contrast between light and dark so we went with lighter roses which matched the colour of the bride and bridesmaids dresses. We wanted lots of dark and winter foliage. We did not want an overly traditional looking wedding colours /flowers. Louisa remembers her grandparents having lots of Rose bushes in their garden and so it was important to have Roses in the floral arrangement.

Why did you choose The West Mill Venue?

When we attended for a viewing, we knew we had to make it our wedding venue. We loved the contemporary style it had and all the history behind The West Mill. We also liked that everything could be held in the same place. It was the only venue we looked at as we know there was not any other venue that would compare.

Did you do any DIY projects?

The cake was a family project. For Louisa’s brothers wedding she made strawberry and elderflower cakes and so for our wedding it was important to make the same cake. Louisa made the strawberry and elderflower for the bottom layer which was filled with strawberry and champagne jam and elderflower flavour butter cream, her mum made the middle layer which was a traditional fruit cake which was covered with nut free marzipan and her sister made the top layer which was chocolate orange filled with chocolate and orange buttercream. Louisa used a cake lace kit to make the lace in the few weeks before the wedding and she and her sister decorated and stacked the cake the evening before the wedding. One of Louisa’s cousins has a brownie business based in Cheshire “The Brownie Owl” who send down the Brownies and loaf cakes. Louisa and another cousin did the hair and make up on the day.

Louisa put together party bags for the children which contained a colouring book, crayons, a toy and sweets. Louisa also printed the invitations and name tags.

Louisa put together a sweetie bar for the children and her brother-in-law brewed ale for the day.

Tell us about the details…

Louisa was able to work with Oriental Pearl to customise her dress, it came in white however she did not want it in white and had several layers of peach blush fabric added underneath the top layer. When she collected the dress she was told they loved the dress so much it will now be available as a sample for other brides to buy.

Rebecca at Twisted Willow did the flowers she was fantastic as was Ben Pollard the Photographer and Paul the DJ at Sprits High events.

What was on the Menu?

The drinks reception had champagne and prosecco with soft drinks for the children. The wedding breakfast was parsnip & apple soup with bacon and croutons, lamb shanks with mash potato, asparagus, and cabbage with bacon, and mint sauce. Dessert was Apple and quince crumble with custard. Wines served with the breakfast included a Malbec and a Sauvignon Blanc. Jenkinson were fantastic and were able to cater for the various dietary requirements as Louisa has a few allergies. The breakfast was amazing and everything was tasty, every single guest said how great the food was nothing went to waste, Louisa’s nephew ate two mains and her brother three puddings!!!

In the evening, there was pepperoni pizza, cheese pizza, potato wedges, chicken and chorizo skewers and vegetable spring rolls, it really was all delicious.

What was your favourite part of the wedding?

The whole day! We wish we could do it again, from the ceremony to the evening entertainment, it was superb. We want to thank our wedding planner, Lucie, who was perfect on the day, she was brilliant. Nothing was too much for her and made the day go very smoothly even setting up an additional table for unexpected guests.

Do you have any advice for future brides & grooms?

Try not to get stressed, enjoy the day it will be brilliant and have fun!