was an amazing day with so many family and friends in attendance as well as our beautiful family labrador, Bella at the service wearing a white wedding collar!” Sharon says. “It felt incredible to see everything come together apart from the weather but that didn’t matter.” The couple chose a cream and green table plan decorated with eucalyptus to tie in with their theme. “We had two table plans displayed on easels to avoid guests having to crowd around one,” they told us. “The names were based on local country houses with a family connection and the guest’s names were printed on cards following the eucalyptus theme.” As centrepieces, Sharon and Rob chose hurricane lamps, candles surrounded by eucalyptus leaves and cream roses which coordinated with their other floral arrangements and bouquets brimming with English roses in cream and soft pink. “We had display ladders holding flowers and potted eucalyptus decorated with ribbons plus the vintage-style bar wad also decorated with matching flowers,” Sharon says. The couple also had a lantern lit in the reception in memory of loved ones who had departed, plus two more large lanterns filled with pillar candles. “There were giant retro-inspired illuminated letters on the stage which looked fantastic,” Sharon says. They decided on a traditional iced and buttercream cake displaying four tiers. “The first was a fruit cake, the second layer was a zesty lemon sponge cake, the third tier was a raspberry ripple sponge cake and the fourth tier was a carrot and walnut sponge cake,” they say. “Our guests were treated to a South African Brai-themed wedding breakfast followed by stone-baked pizza served during the evening reception.” LOOKING THE PART Sharon chose a classic dress with a vintage twist by Maggie Sottero. “I loved the detail and I teamed it with a floor-length veil,” she tells us. Richard wore a classic Italian-style, three-piece navy suit. “My groomsmen wore the same but as two-piece suits and their ties were a shade of silver grey to match the bridesmaids’ dresses,” he tells us. “I wore a pair of my father’s cufflinks and a vintage Omega dress watch.” TIME TO CELEBRATE Sharon and Richard wanted plenty of live music, including a surprise re-enactment of the All You Need Is Love church scene from the movie Love Actually. “We had the incredible Olly Wedgewood singing and playing a wonderful selection of jazz during the afternoon followed by the Smooth66 band, who had performed the flashmob, performing a mix of soul, jazz and specially commissioned songs during the evening,” they tell us. “A DJ finished the night off. All of the musicians were amazing - having some of our favourite songs reworked into jazz-style arrangements was so special and individual. The stand-out songs of the vending were All of Me by John Legend and Rocket Man by Elton John.” Richard, who plays the saxophone and his best man, Andy who plays the trumpet played Pick Up the Piece by Average White Band later on during the evening. “Paul at Manor Wedding & Event Car Hire went above and beyond with his professional and calm demeanour but also keeping myself, our bridesmaids and photographers dry in wet weather conditions.” - Sharon REAL WEDDINGS 35
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=