Craig is a professional pool player and first me Sabine, who used to play for Derby County, over a game of pool. “He was just a friend at first, and I used to have absolutely zero interest in him”, says Sabine. She continues, “He made me laugh all the time and was just a bit of a bad boy, which I found attractive once I got to know him.” Craig popped the question during a trip to Rome and completely shocked Sabine, who burst into tears and had no idea a proposal was coming. She says, “It was in the middle of the pandemic, and we were desperate to get away that year! We booked the accommodation through Airbnb, and I noticed you could book experiences too. So, I went ahead and booked a student photographer asI thought it would be perfect for getting a sightseeing tour at the same time.” During their memorable trip, the photographer got the pair on a big rock in front of the Colosseum after exploring the beautiful city, where Craig got down on one knee. Sabine comments, “Everyone around us was clapping, and I was so shocked! Craig couldn’t have picked a better place to propose as the photographer, who was just as surprised as I was, took some amazing photos to capture the memorable moment.” Here Sabine shares details about their special day… SETTING THE SCENE When the couple returned home, they searched for a wedding venue and fell in love with the stunning Hazel Gap Barn. The bride says, “When you drive through the entrance, you can’t help but fall in love with the venue – we knew it was the one as soon as we stepped inside. The staff were excellent and so welcoming from day one. Plus, the rustic and gothic style was just what we were after.” The couple exchanged vows on 26th June 2022 and added as many personal touches as possible. Sabine loved planning the big day and worked hard to create their dream day to celebrate with loved ones. The venue already has so much character with candle chandeliers and grand fire places, so the couple didn’t need to add much to decorate the spaces. There were many areas to discover and plenty of photographic backdrops to take advantage of. The couple had an order of the day made to ensure the day ran smoothly, which matched their rustic theme and had fairylights to add to the romantic atmosphere. The table plan was displayed on a wooden ladder, with cards hung by string to help guests find their seats for the wedding breakfast. The pair named each table after sites they visited in Rome, with the top table being the Colosseum. The talented florist created the centrepieces, which featured simple foliage around lanterns. When finding the perfect favours, the bride went to Pinterest for inspiration. She says, “I put matches in a little glass bottle, which had a tag that said, ‘The Perfect Match’ and a stamp of our names plus wedding date on the other side. I then used burgundy and blush ribbon to tie around the top of the glass bottle to hold the tag in place.” On the couple’s chairs were wooden plaques for an added touch of fun. The bride’s chair said, “I do”, while the groom’s said, “I do what she says”. FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD Hazel Gap Barn has an excellent reputation for catering, so the couple completely trusted the team to create the perfect menu – they didn’t disappoint. Guests tucked into a barbecue and 39 REAL WEDDINGS
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