Laura and Fraser met at school where they knew one another from year 12 onwards. “Just before sitting our A-Levels and leaving for university, we kissed at one of the many 18th birthday parties that year and we’ve been together ever since,” Laura tells us. Fraser proposed in the summer of 2018 while the couple were on holiday in Barcelona. “After a delicious dinner, he suggested we should take a walk along the beach,” Laura explains. Before I knew it, he was down on one knee in the sand and I said ‘yes’ after about 10 minutes of crying!” SETTING THE SCENE The minute the couple arrived at the wedding venue Tythe in Launton, Oxfordshire, they were in love with the place. “Will, the owner, showed us around and his passion and care for the venue was evident,” Laura tells us. “It’s centred around the main barn and even the smallest of details have been considered. It had everything we were looking for – a rustic feel with romantic fairylights everywhere!” The couple hired a rustic ladder and placed empty wine bottles on each rung with guests’ names written on them which formed their table plan. “For our table names, we placed gin bottles filled with fairylights and a small chalkboard sign on the top of each one displaying the names that were after musicals we had watched together or that I (Laura) had performed in. We both love gin, and so do all of our loved ones, so we also had a gin station during the reception.” Laura and Fraser’s centrepieces were pearl vases filled with flowers surrounded by smaller bud vases and candles. “Our florist couldn’t have done a better job,” Laura tells us. “We requested roses, ranunculus and sweet peas and had four large milk churns filled with arrangements. The basket on the bicycle displayed at the front of the barn was also filled with flowers.” The couple finished their table set-up with personalised Swizzels Love Hearts as favours. “We had a sweetie cart during the evening that everybody loved!” Fraser’s aunt, who is a wedding cake designer, created their three-tier pink ombre cake. “We chose chocolate, lemon and salted caramel as the flavours and it was decorated with fresh flowers,” Laura tells us. For their catering, the couple chose canapés with a Mediterranean and Italian influence followed by a delicious three-course dinner that included risotto, lamb and lemon tart for dessert. “During the evening, we had pizzas made by the chefs in the wood-fired oven that tasted delicious!” Laura says. “After waiting an extra two years for our day to arrive (we were originally meant to get married in April 2020, three weeks after the first lockdown was imposed), the anticipation of the day was overwhelming. I couldn't wait to finally say 'I do!' Fraser was calm until he saw me walk down the aisle - he had to fight back the tears!” – Laura 43 REAL WEDDINGS
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