Your Midlands Wedding - August/September 2024 (Issue 93)

These lovebirds first encounted each other in a Wetherspoons, sporting their pajamas during the yearly medical school pub crawl back in 2013. Emily surprised Gareth by being punctual for once and since there weren’t many others around, they immediately initiated a conversation. However, it wasn’t until they relocated to Shrewsbury in 2016 that they began dating; the rest is history! The couple went on a scenic drive around Scotland along the North Coast 500 route during the summer of 2021. Gareth popped the question at sunset on Red Point Beach after a chaotic dinner experience where the restaurant misplaced their food order, almost causing them to miss the beautiful sunset. During the special moment, the couple had a lovely fire going and a bottle of Champagne. Gareth cleverly hid a camera in the tall grass to capture the special moment. SETTING THE SCENE The team at Stockton House indeed won over the couple with their vision and enthusiasm. Even though it was still under renovation during their first visit, the charm of the setting captured their hearts. They immediately fell in love and booked the venue. From the big door keys to the unique character and wonderful staff, they were fully committed to this non-traditional wedding venue. Their decision paid off, as their wedding day was absolutely perfect. Emily designed and made all the decorations, which initially worried Gareth since she couldn’t quite explain her vision to others. However, with the support of her family and friends, especially her party-planning aunty Clair and university friend Rachel, everything fell into place beautifully the day before the event. The couple used long banquet tables to enhance the wedding breakfast set-up. They designed their own stationery and printed it with Paul Smart Print. The seating plan was displayed on a beautiful floor-standing mirror now in their bedroom as a reminder of the day. Wanting to make their guests feel truly special, the pair wrote a personal letter to each person and hid it under their chair. This surprise was a sweet touch that delighted the guests at the end of their speeches. They also gave everyone shot glasses filled with chocolates as a little extra treat. Emily was the creative mind behind all the floral arrangements. Every detail was carefully planned months in advance, from bud vases to staircase dressing and pampas grass to beautiful bouquets made with dried flowers. They repurposed spraypainted vases from thrift stores to ensure everything matched the theme perfectly. The wedding food was truly exceptional! Even the videographer, who has been to many weddings, agreed. The canapés were divine, but the standout for the lovebirds was the truffle scotch egg. The wedding breakfast began with a refreshing beetroot, peach and whipped goat’s curd salad, followed by the impeccably cooked venison loin with a celeriac rosti. The meal concluded with a delectable, caramelised apple crumble tart with a mini toffee apple and salted caramel ice cream. Charlotte from Farm House Cakes created an absolutely delicious and stunningly simple cake for loved ones to enjoy in the evening. LOOKING THE PART The gown the bride wore, Senna, was purchased from a second-hand boutique in Kent. The maid-of-honour, Katie, tied the knot in June 2023 and found her dress at the 31 REAL WEDDINGS

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