Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - Page number 33 - October/November 2021 (Issue 91)

placed in the centre,” Maria tells us. “Our groomsmen had matching buttonholes and one of my bridesmaids, Brittany, handmade all of the bouquets for the bridesmaids and flowergirls using artificial blooms and accessories that everyone could keep as a memory of our day.” The couple also hired a flower arch that matched those used in their top table display. “The team at the venue were so impressed with the arch that they asked the company to be a regular supplier for future weddings and events,” Maria says. The couple chose a four-tier cake that was handmade by a family friend, Caroline Doran. “Two tiers were ivory in colour and filled with vanilla sponge and raspberry jam,” Maria describes. “The other two were gold chocolate-flavoured layers (our favourite!) finished with a sequin effect and flowers, plus a handmade Mr and Mrs Hastings cake topper.” Maria and Callum also treated their guests to a pick-and- mix station filled with retro sweets. “I have lots of nieces and nephews so this proved to be very popular, even with the adults, and everyone took home a bag of candy,” Maria says. “We also had a heart-shaped doughnut wall placed next to the dancefloor – perfect for an energy boost!” LOOKING THE PART Maria wore a fishtail dress with long sleeves. “It was the opposite of what I thought I would choose but my bridesmaids insisted that I tried on every style of dress and I loved this one the moment I put it on,” she tells us. “I adored the fitted shape that flared out at the bottom which was so flattering. I teamed it with a pair of my sister’s Chanel earrings (which both my sisters had worn on their wedding days and which became my something borrowed ). Callum had bought me a stunning Tiffany & Co. bracelet which he gave to me the night before our wedding that I also wore and I finished my look with a short veil that I planned on removing after the ceremony but loved it so much I wore it all night!” The couple’s bridesmaids looked glamorous in their gold-sequinned gowns that suited the glitzy theme and Callum and his groomsmen chose navy suits teamed with champagne-coloured ties and pocket squares. “I surprised Callum with a navy Armani watch and matching cufflinks for our big day,” Maria tells us. TIME TO CELEBRATE Maria and Callum wanted to create a Vegas feel to their reception as a reminder of their original wedding plans. “My mum and I secretly hired an Elvis impersonator who joined us for our first dance and sung Can’t Help Falling In Love ,” Maria describes. “The DJ started playing the song as we started dancing and then Elvis appeared! Callum and our guests were gobsmacked but they loved it. He sang the song for a second time followed by a few Elvis classics.” As if this wasn’t enough excitement, everyone was asked to gather outside towards the end of the evening. “My parents surprised us all with an incredible firework display,” Maria tells us. “It was magnificent - I’ve never seen fireworks like it, they lit up the entire sky. It was so romantic to watch it with my new husband and it provided the perfect grande finale.” “Our videographer, David, was fantastic. He captured the day beautifully and it was fantastic to watch it back and relive the happy memories all over again.” − Maria and Callum REAL WEDDINGS 33