Your Midlands Wedding - June/July 2024 (Issue 92)

These lovebirds crossed paths on Tinder in September 2020, just before the second Covid lockdown was imposed. Brett postponed the initial date, and Emily almost called off the second one, so they were very close to missing each other – thankfully, they didn’t! They went on three or four dates, so had to decide if they would form each other’s social bubble. Emily recalls, “We had so many shared interests, like a passion for food and drinks, vacations and sports – the rest is history. We kept meeting up, going on dates and enjoying each other’s company. After three months, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I moved in with Brett about a year later!” Brett popped the question in April 2022 at the peak of Capri in Italy; it was a complete surprise for Emily! She says, “I had no clue he was planning this since he kept saying he wasn’t ready for marriage yet; it was all a ruse to throw me off! It was the most incredible day when he proposed. He had arranged for a drone to capture the moment, so now we have those memories forever! It was quite amusing because we were vacationing in Sorrento and decided to take a day trip to Capri; I had no idea that was the day he had chosen to propose, so I kept stalling us from reaching the top of Anacapri. I noticed he was getting more and more anxious as the day progressed. I kept ordering more wine at lunch and eventually, Brett insisted we head to the top immediately, which seemed strange at the time but made perfect sense when he finally got down on one knee at the peak. The ring was stunning and fit perfectly! We then had some Champagne at the little café at the top of Anacapri with the friends we had made during our trip, whom Brett had asked to capture the moment for us! All in all, it was a day I will always cherish!” SETTING THE SCENE The couple explored approximately four distinct properties in search of the perfect venue. Just as they were about to finalise their decision, Brett stumbled upon Walton Hall online and suggested they visit for a drink. As they approached the hall down the lengthy driveway, the sight of Walton Hall in the distance confirmed their choice. Emily expressed, “We were captivated by its age and beauty, steeped in history and surrounded by picturesque grounds. The seclusion of the venue made us feel like royalty.” She added, “The convenience of on-site accommodation for our guests was a major plus, eliminating the need for taxis at the end of the night and allowing us to enjoy breakfast together the next morning.” Following a visit during one of the wedding fayre dates, they appreciated the personalised service provided by the wedding planner, Manjit, who was attentive to their needs and readily available for any inquiries. The wedding was beautifully decorated in navy blue and lilac, with many details reflecting this colour scheme. The couple aimed to ensure that their guests had a great time and were entertained throughout the event. Gorgeous flowers were placed all around, from the church to the reception venue. In the evening, additional special touches were added, including a garden wall with a neon sign displaying their surname, a doughnut wall, sweet bags, a photo booth, sparklers and fireworks. As favours, guests received Weetabix packs wrapped up elegantly. Emily, who works at the company, received these as a wedding gift from her workplace. The table plan followed the theme of “Where in the world are you sitting?” showcasing the couple’s favorite places they have visited individually, together and locations they plan to explore in the future. Each table had personalised place cards with a brief message expressing the couple’s joy in having their guests present, along with menu options on the back of the card. The centerpieces consisted of flowers in vases surrounded by candles. Following a delightful tasting evening a few months ago, the couple handpicked 35 REAL WEDDINGS

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