the pressure. David and Corinne are beach enthusiasts, so they wanted to incorporate that love into their celebrations while keeping everything personal and homemade. They gathered pebbles from their favourite beaches in Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall, writing each guest’s name to serve as unique place settings. As for favours, each guest received a colourful bud vase with a flower. Corinne loves vibrant colours and prefers a relaxed, informal vibe. She wanted the favours to be practical, ensuring they wouldn’t just be left behind at the end of the day. They also gave everyone a small bag of their favourite sweets – Corinne’s Minstrels and David’s gummy bears. The Clock Barn took care of all the food and catering, and it was simply delightful! The canapés served during the drinks reception were a lovely touch. They offered a four-course meal with steak as the main course, a trio of desserts, and a surprise fourth course featuring chilli and mango vodka. Guests had the option of white or red wines and Champagne for toasting. The reception began with refreshing Bellinis, and later in the evening, the pair treated everyone to passion fruit martini cocktails and bacon rolls. The cake, crafted by Nanny Sam, featured three layers of sponge cake with chocolate, lemon, and coffee flavours. It had a semi-naked design adorned with flowers and a rustic topper made by the couple. LOOKING THE PART Corinne chose a breathtaking dress named Helene from the Elysee Edition collection by Lush Curve Bridal. The heavy lace design hugged her figure beautifully. Initially, the bride envisioned a dress with lots of ruffles and volume, but once she tried this gown on and saw how it accentuated her shape, she was moved to tears. She added a waist-length veil with pearl edges, a wildflower crown, and flowers woven into her braided hair to complete her look. A friend generously lent her a pearl necklace and matching earrings for her something borrowed. For her something blue, she attached a charm to her shoes, along with a garter made by David’s niece and her something old was her tragus and helix earrings. She opted for flat crochet high-top Converse shoes, while her bridal party wore similar low-top styles. The bride felt special and beautiful, and she couldn’t help but think she looked stunning in that amazing dress with its lovely long train. David looked sharp in a navy suit with gold and burgundy accents by Marc Darcy from Visual Impact on the Isle of Wight. He distinguished himself from his groomsmen, his best man and best friend visiting from New Zealand Mike, and both sons Ben and Harry, by wearing a camel-coloured waistcoat, a white shirt and a floral tie, while the others sported navy waistcoats with pink shirts and burgundy ties. In the evening, the groom switched to a navy waistcoat after removing his jacket. The bridesmaids consisted of Corinne’s best friend Ria, her daughter Chloe, and two sisters Beverley and Heather. They all wore the same dress style in different colours to match the vibrant theme. Their dresses, from Ever Pretty, featured deep V-necks, empire waists, and floor-length tulle with short flutter sleeves. Corinne’s son Christopher walked her down the aisle, as her father was no longer with them. TIME TO CELEBRATE Stephen Simmons truly wowed the guests throughout the day, proving to be an invaluable asset. As both an MC and magician, he was simply outstanding. He arrived early to greet guests as they arrived, making everyone feel welcome. He mingled effortlessly during the cocktail hour and photo opportunities, showcasing incredible magic tricks and ensuring everyone felt included. When it was time for everyone to take their seats, he ignited the festivities with engaging games, building excitement for the grand entrance of the wedding party. Throughout the meal, he kept the entertainment flowing, and after dining, the fun continued with a lively photo dash and sing-alongs, including a ‘finish the lyrics’ game. He remained until the first dance, then gracefully stepped back to let the celebrations continue. Guests couldn’t stop praising his ability to involve everyone, even those typically more reserved or older. The bride’s mother, who had initially been doubtful about hiring him, remarked that he was worth every cent. Later in the evening, a ceilidh led by Spill The Whisky, a four-piece country 35 REAL WEDDINGS
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