Charlotte and Sam met back in secondary school, so they’ve known each other since they were about 12 years old. For a while, they weren’t particularly close friends. That changed when they started studying together after school for their A-levels. Ironically, it wasn’t until after graduation that they began dating, just before heading off to separate universities more than 100 miles apart. Sam made it a point to travel home nearly every weekend to visit Charlotte, while she juggled her studies and work shifts. He was drawn to her caring and selfless nature. He appreciates her adventurous spirit and how she always encourages him to step outside of his comfort zone. Charlotte was initially attracted to Sam’s calm and soothing demeanour. As they grew closer, she fell in love with his unwavering loyalty to his loved ones and fierce dedication to their well-being. Sam is the calm in any storm for her, the yin to her yang. In March 2022, he took a big step and proposed. They were on a surprise holiday in the Lake District with their dog River, which happens to be their favourite getaway in the UK. Sam chose an early morning walk around Grasmere Lake to pop the question. River decided it was the perfect moment for a swim, thinking Sam was about to throw her a ball. With their friend there to capture the moment, the proposal was intimate and perfect. It was a beautiful memory that they would cherish forever. SETTING THE SCENE For the couple, the top priority while planning their wedding was ensuring everything reflected their true selves and unique personalities. They invited their closest friends and family, carefully selected their favourite dishes for the wedding breakfast, and stood firm on their music choices. The bride had her heart set on dancing the night away, and she was committed to curating an incredible playlist to set the perfect mood! When they first visited Bourton Hall, it was love at first sight. The stunning mansion, surrounded by beautiful grounds and picturesque views of green fields dotted with grazing sheep, completely captivated them. Even though the venue exuded grandeur, it felt intimate, which was essential for the couple as they wanted a space reserved for them and their guests. The interior matched its breathtaking exterior, showcasing elegance at every turn. The couple loved the convenience of hosting their ceremony and reception in one location. This not only saved their guests from the hassle of travelling elsewhere but also allowed everyone to relax and fully enjoy the festivities. Charlotte and Sam wanted their guests to truly ‘get lucky’ on the wedding night, so they crafted personalised sixpences featuring their names and the wedding date for favours. To make the celebration even more fun, they paired these with scratch cards that offered the chance to win some money during the wedding breakfast. The guests loved this little touch, although the biggest win ended up being just £5! To ensure they could see all their guests, the lovebirds opted for round tables, with a long top table designated for themselves, their parents, the maid-of-honour and the best man. They wanted to create an atmosphere where families could mingle, so they thoughtfully merged tables to include both sides of their loved ones. In a beautiful nod to sustainability, Charlotte and Sam repurposed the ceremony flowers to serve as stunning centrepieces for the wedding breakfast. The wild-looking arrangements were designed to appear as if they were growing right from the centre of the tables – a perfect way to showcase the beauty of the blooms. For the bride, the flowers were the highlight of the entire wedding planning process. The colour scheme featured shades of rust, burnt orange, peach, and sage green, and she had a clear vision of the flowers she wanted. The pair decided to include a broken floral arch for the ceremony, which would also serve as a backdrop for their top table and first dance. Bourton Hall boasted an exquisite ornate wooden staircase that begged to be adorned with flowers. Their florist, Suzie, created a breathtaking wild garden that spiralled up from the base of the staircase, leaving everyone, including Charlotte and Sam, utterly speechless. When Suzie delivered Charlotte’s bridal bouquet, it was everything she had dreamed of. The arrangement beautifully combined fresh and dried flowers, designed to move gracefully as she walked down the aisle. The bridesmaids carried posies that matched her bouquet perfectly, tying the whole look together. Catering was a breeze, thanks to Bourton Hall’s wedding package, which offered an impressive selection of dishes. The newlyweds even enjoyed a wine-tasting night to pair the perfect wines with their meals beforehand. They chose their favourite dishes: open chicken and pancetta ravioli, a topside beef roast, and for dessert, either an Eton Mess or a salted caramel brownie. It was simple yet incredibly delicious—a perfect reflection of their taste! The cake style was the first decision that Charlotte and Sam made during their wedding planning journey. They attended a wedding fair and met Jodie, where they had the chance to sample some of her delectable cakes. It was love at first bite! They opted for a stunning three-tier buttercream cake, featuring red velvet and white chocolate on the bottom tier and a zesty lemon and fresh raspberry jam on top. The centrepiece was an acrylic tier with lights inside, adding a modern twist to a classic design. Each tier was semi-naked, adorned with an edible floral spray that perfectly matched the colour scheme, and finished with a gold “Mr & Mrs” cake topper. Charlotte and Sam rolled up their sleeves and crafted place names by hand with the help of Sophie, Charlotte’s maid-of-honour, bridesmaid Chloe and the mother-of-the-bride. They carefully printed, hole-punched, and tied each place name with a lovely rust ribbon. 23 REAL WEDDINGS
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