samples to pick from. It was a difficult choice with so many delicious options, but they ultimately decided on carrot, ginger and chocolate sponges with vegan and gluten-free options. The cakes were exquisitely adorned with vegan buttercream icing. Lisa even decorated the cake onsite in the morning, using fresh flowers that perfectly complemented the floral arrangements. LOOKING THE PART The bride wore a Justin Alexander dress from the Sincerity collection! The tulle A-line gown featured beads and sequined lace appliqués that matched the forest theme. Before finding the one, Amy looked through pictures of wedding dresses online for months. She comments, “It was elegant and had a princess vibe while still having a simple, sweet charm.” Amy kept accessories to a minimum because she was not used to wearing jewellery, and the lace detail around the neckline provided enough decoration. She chose some dainty drop earrings with leafshaped patterns and similarly shaped hair pins with a dainty white floral designs. The bride also opted for hair extensions for some extra volume and length. Amy rarely wears make-up or hair accessories, and she’s so grateful to Gemma Armstrong Hair & Make-up for her skill and patience in helping the bride find the right look, which included multiple trials to ensure she was comfortable before the big day. Amy adds, “I had a lovely relaxing morning getting ready with Gemma and my future mother-in-law in my bridal suite in Burley Manor, watching the deer from the window and listening to the birds. When I first saw myself on the big day, it felt as perfect as I’d hoped. I felt beautiful, confident and so excited that I was about to walk down the aisle to marry the love of my life. The day felt more like a fairytale than reality.” Stew and his best man had bespoke suits in a stunning dark blue flannel suits that subtly shifted hue in different lighting. They had fun going to the tailor together for fittings and choosing all the fabrics, details and accessories. The groom chose a nice orange paisley tie and pocket square, which matched the autumnal colour scheme. The bride adds, “Stew looked gorgeous in his perfectly fitting suit and loves finding any excuse to wear it again.” TIME TO CELEBRATE During the ceremony, reception and dinner, the couple enjoyed beautiful harp covers of their favourite songs by musician Stephanie. The bride walked down the aisle to Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre, a wonderful piece and her favourite song to sing. She comments, “I loved knowing my friends from choir would recognise the song as I walked down the aisle and while planning it, I could picture them trying not to burst into song!” In the evening, the couple treated guests to a diverse musical experience. A fantastic band performed an eclectic mix of songs from various genres and decades. Thanks to the great DJ, the dancefloor was never empty. The party kicked off with the epic rock ballad I’ll Follow You by Shinedown for the couple’s first dance, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. A lovely moment was when the couple provided sparklers for all the guests in the evening for a bit of fun. Plus, it makes for a great photo shoot. “It was a bit like having a second confetti session after dark, except with a tunnel of sparkles and everyone’s smiling faces glowing in the light,” comments the bride. MEMORABLE MOMENTS Amy had been prepared to feel nervous and stressed, with so many people advising her on staying calm in the big day’s run-up, but from the moment it started, she just loved every second. No one told Amy it would all be so much fun! Stew doesn’t normally like being the centre of attention, but he enjoyed having a day focused on them because everyone involved made it so easy. On the day, everything planned fell into place perfectly! The sun shone for one warm October day between weeks of downpours, and the guests REAL WEDDINGS 47
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