REAL WEDDINGS 31 George and Sean met at the Barn Theatre in Welwyn Garden City in a production of Blue Stockings. But it turns out they’d met before! The pair both went to the same secondary school and were in the same form for a few months before George moved. They never crossed paths again until meeting 13 years later! Sean proposed on a clifftop in Cornwall just before lockdown in 2020. George grew up camping every summer at Mother Ivey’s Bay with family, and this particular spot overlooking the beach is her favourite place on earth. The pair made it even more special over the years together, so what location could be better for such a memorable moment? The bride says, “It was an extremely rough day with high winds and I stood on the cliff edge looking out to sea, totally oblivious to Sean down on one knee behind me asking the big question – I didn’t hear a word! I nearly took too many steps backwards in surprise when I eventually turned around!” SETTING THE SCENE When planning the wedding, the couple wanted a relaxed day surrounded by many wonderful people. The bride says, “We didn’t want to get bogged down in frills or details; it was all about the people for us and making mum’s presence felt as much as possible. My mum's dear friend Selina is a reverend and used to read at our local church. She took the service for my mum’s funeral shortly after we got engaged. The current reverend at St Giles was kind enough to let her officiate for us, which was special as mum always loved the idea that she might marry us one day.” Having a lifelong family friend conduct the ceremony was incredibly special, and Selina ensured the day was extra personal – she was a dream come true. The couple wanted a big garden party for the reception, which was perfect as the bride’s family home was just a short drive from the church and had ample outdoor space. George says, “The location holds a special place in many hearts, not least of all my mum’s. So it was an easy choice for us, and luckily my dad was up for hosting 150 revellers!” The lovebirds were very chilled about all the arrangements and the day itself. They just wanted everyone to kick off their shoes and feel relaxed. The bride’s godmother, mother-in-law and mumma C pulled together a team of the mother-of-the-bride's friends in the days before to decorate the huge stretch tent with flowers from the garden, table runners made from coffee bean sacks, wrapped jam jars in hessian filled with flowers, a wooden palette with timings of the day and fairylights. The pair hired trestle tables, benches and borrowed haybales from the neighbouring farmer, which were covered in blankets. The same farmer let them use the field behind the garden for parking. The bride says, ”Another of mum's close friends is an incredibly talented florist who made the bouquets and buttonholes, which were stunning.” To keep guests from going hungry, loved ones enjoyed a three-course meal with wine and fizz from Majestic Wine. The bride’s brother baked 500 of their mum’s famous sausage rolls for canapés, and the lovebirds booked a fantastic vegan caterer Veg Heads to keep guests from going hungry. The team served burgers and hotdogs from a food stall and a doughnut wall for pudding. The overall effect was a garden fit for fairy royalty, filled with light, magic and the very best of people who literally kicked off their shoes and danced the night away – just as the pair had hoped for. LOOKING THE PART The bride wore Somerset by Wtoo from Heritage Brides at Hatfield House, and her rose gold Louboutins were a wedding gift from the
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