were designed by Mrs K Designs, who worked magic and produced a design that included vegetables and flowers to match the wedding theme. It was raining on the wedding day, so Rachel was super excited to get a lift from the cottage to the Walled Garden in the Hampton Manor shuttle bus! LOOKING THE PART The groom wore a tan tweed suit by Marc Darcy, complemented by a matching tan tie and pocket square. He completed his look with shoes from Fairfax & Favor. The groomsmen wore the Marc Darcy HM5 suit in stone with tan ties and pocket squares. They all wore matching vegetable cufflinks and socks. The bride radiated beauty in her stunning ivory gown, style 3457 from Allure Bridal, paired perfectly with sparkling Jimmy Choo sandals. She felt absolutely gorgeous and wished she could experience that level of beauty every single day! She also changed in the evening into a dress from ASOS Bridal, which she was frantically trying to alter and hem with her mum two nights before the wedding as she needed a different dress for the first dance. The bridesmaid, Emily (Rachel’s Sister-in-Law), wore a green ASOS dress. Rachel’s maid-of-honour couldn’t attend the wedding, so Emily stepped in at the last minute. Amelia, the pair’s niece, was Rachel’s flowergirl who wore an ivory dress from Brides of Solihull. TIME TO CELEBRATE The couple elevated their wedding by hiring the Nero String Quartet, creating a serene atmosphere with classical music during the ceremony. As guests arrived, the quartet’s elegant melodies set a romantic tone. Following the ceremony, a lively drinks reception featured a mix of popular tunes performed by the quartet, encouraging mingling. This blend of classical and contemporary music reflected the couple’s personalities and love story, making their special day sophisticated and fun. The pair had a jazz band in the evening to keep the celebrations going. The entire day felt incredibly personal as the couple was eager to connect with everyone, sharing delicious food and drinks while enjoying each other’s company. Everyone had a fantastic time, with many guests wanting to tie the knot again just to experience the amazing dining at Grace and Savour once more; the food was outstanding, and the entertainment was equally impressive. MEMORABLE MOMENTS The couple expected the day to be incredible, but it even surpassed their expectations. Thomas says, “The ceremony was our favourite part. It was very intimate, and we loved that we could immerse our guests in the ceremony and face them all as we said our vows.” The couple had been taking weekly ballroom and Latin dance lessons since they began their relationship. However, Rachel wasn’t comfortable dancing in front of an audience, so she hesitated about having the first dance. On the other hand, Thomas was eager to showcase their months of practice on the Argentine Tango. A few weeks prior, Rachel finally consented to the idea, but when the moment arrived, Thomas’s mind went blank and they had to muddle through. The entire team at Hampton Manor, along with Grace and Savour, was fantastic and truly dedicated to grasping the couple’s vision for their wedding day. Everything exceeded expectations and was flawless in every aspect. Rachel was thrilled with the flowers; she anticipated they would be lovely, but they turned out to be even more stunning than she had envisioned. She couldn’t help but admire and inhale their delightful fragrance. HONEYMOON The couple spent a delightful week on their honeymoon in Wales. With their hectic schedules leading up to the wedding, they sought a serene getaway to truly unwind. They opted for a secluded log cabin in the Cambrian Mountains on the Hafod Estate with Hafod Hideaways. This peaceful retreat provided the perfect opportunity for them to relax and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. They had arranged several dining experiences during their stay, starting with Y Talbot Tregaron, a genuine Welsh gastropub that serves hearty traditional dishes crafted from local ingredients. Next on their list was Yr Hen Printworks in REAL WEDDINGS 35
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