Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding - February/March 2022 (Issue 87)

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD After the ceremony guests were served canapés of confit duck fritter with chilli and soy, wild mushroom and taleggio arancini, and sesame halloumi bites with chilli jam. For the wedding breakfast, there was a choice of two delicious options, as well as an additional one for those with dietary requirements. The starter was spring pea and pancetta soup or ham hock terrine with piccalilli. For the main, the couple opted for a more traditional choice of chargrilled Somerset chicken breast or seared beef, and the finale was a crème brûlée with fresh raspberries or a milk chocolate and pistachio parfait. Much to the chagrin of Jade’s mum, the duo chose a cheese tower over a traditional sweet showstopper. The six-tier tower of all that’s right with the world was expertly curated with the assistance of The Cheeseworks, and it was served along with a hog board and selection of accompaniments in the evening. LOOKING THE PART Jade wore a Morilee gown, which was the complete opposite to the style she thought she wanted. “Once it was on, I didn’t want to take it off. It felt timeless,” she says. The bride accessorised with a lace and diamanté belt and a cathedral-length veil customised with the couple’s initials and wedding date. Having always dreamed of wearing Jimmy Choos on her wedding day she was finally able to invest in a dusky golden glitter pair after a summer of saving. She also wore a personalised lace garter with a small blue ribbon – her something blue – and a charm with initials and date. Personalisation is important to the pair, so they also chose to have their wedding rings engraved with their wedding date and title of their first dance song, The Wonder of You. Harry wore a grey three-piece morning suit channelling Connery’s Bond, with a dark navy tail jacket. His waistcoat was a deeper cut than the groomsmen’s and his tie was blue as opposed to their pink ones. The bridesmaids looked beautiful in high-neck blush maxi dresses with embellished waistbands. CELEBRATE IN STYLE A string quartet entertained guests during the afternoon with an impressive modern repertoire of hits from Beyonce and Avicii to Queen and AC/DC. In the evening, three-piece live band Renegades of Rock played covers of some of rock’s greatest songs. They performed two sets with a DJ set in between. “We had so many compliments from our guests on just how incredible they were,” Jade tells us. The newlyweds shared their first dance outside as the sun was setting. “We always say this moment was one small blessing following the pandemic, as without it our first dance would most likely have been inside,” Jade says. The photo booth too with its variety of props was a great hit. It provided unlimited photos with the wedding’s very own branded backdrop and also managed the guestbook. At the end of the evening all 12 guests staying overnight at Coombe Lodge retreated to a small living area upstairs for some final intimate drinks, which turned out to be one of the day’s highlights. MEMORABLE MOMENTS Jade tells us, “Surprisingly, my nerves seemed to vanish on the day and I remember feeling utterly calm and relieved that the day had finally arrived. I was so excited to marry Harry and couldn’t wait to see him standing at the end of the aisle, it was a moment we’d talked about for two years. I had the most amazing morning getting ready with my five bridesmaids, mum and stepmum.” Harry says, “I just felt excited from the moment I woke up. I couldn’t wait for the groomsmen and Jade’s dad to arrive for breakfast. The arrival of our guests was fantastic, we hadn’t seen many of them since before the pandemic, so the excitement of the day was boosted by the joy of being reunited. But the highlight of the day for me was the moment Jade turned the corner, arm in arm with her dad and I saw her in her beautiful dress. I was the last to see her and it’s an image I’ll never forget.” REAL WEDDINGS 29

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