An Essex Wedding - Page number 43 - September/October 2021 (Issue 100)

H annah and Jon Alford met in July 2016 at a dinner not realising all along it was a set up! “We got on really well and had loads in common, particularly as we are both music teachers,” shares Hannah. “Our first proper date was on 27 th July to the Royal Albert Hall to watch one of the BBC Proms, and every year since we try to go around the same time for our anniversary, although in 2020 that wasn’t possible!” Jon had planned an epic proposal over the Easter holidays in 2018 but it didn’t quite go to plan. Hannah explains, “It’s a bit of a long story but one we’ll be telling for the rest of our lives involving a surprise party, a lost suitcase, a thunderstorm and being naked in a car park!” Although it did all happen at Lake Garda in Italy so nothing can really be more romantic than that! The big date was set for 27 th July 2019, with Gosfield Hall setting the scene. LET THE PLANNING COMMENCE! Less than a month after getting engaged Hannah, Jon and Hannah’s mum began visiting venues; luckily with shared tastes and ideas they agreed instantly when visiting Gosfield Hall. “As soon as we arrived, we were instantly wowed by the beauty of the grounds and the friendliness of the staff, it seemed to tick every box. We wanted a venue which had character and picturesque grounds, we loved the way each part of the day was hosted in different rooms, the food and drink options were outstanding, and to top it off they only had availability for our preferred date which seemed like fate.” The interiors were clearly a standout reason to saying ‘I do’ to the venue, with Hannah excited to have her pre-wedding preparations in the Ladies Chambers and her mum got very emotional at the breathtaking Roccoco Suite! “Whilst we were exploring the venue we bumped into an old work colleague of Jon’s, Gaynor. Gaynor was to be our wedding manager at Gosfield Hall, we knew again, it was meant to be!” DECISIONS DECISIONS Ensuring the decorations complemented the venue was paramount to the couple when planning the style of the day. “We made sure that our flowers complemented our colour scheme, and luckily this tied in nicely with the aesthetics of the venue,” adds Hannah. “For the flowers, we took the lead from Megan of The Willows, who knew what worked well together and what suited the theme. Each member of the wedding party had a different combination of the following: silver dollar eucalyptus, avalanche and love lace roses, white gypsophylia and pink astilbe.” With the interiors providing an instant backdrop Hannah felt they needed little decoration so opted for simple hurricane vases filled with rose gold beads and fairylights, “We found rose gold photo holders to slot our table names into to match and then stood the centrepieces onto mirror plates and scattered hearts cut from old pieces of sheet music,” adds Hannah. The couple continued the music theme and her mum made heart bunting out of the same music paper and cone confetti holders. The pièce de résistance of the wedding breakfast the three-tiered cake, had layers of chocolate and salted caramel, carrot cake and cherry bakewell, and was designed alongside Helen from Amelie’s Kitchen to ensure it complemented the couple’s colour scheme. “A colleague of mine designed and laser cut our musical cake topper which I spray painted to match the colour scheme!” The stationery epitomised romance with a soft pink watercolour background, which transpired across all of the on-the-day stationery and signage. Hannah personally wrote each guest’s place name out for the wedding breakfast; during the latter, Eye Spy and Place Your Bets activities were put onto the tables to encourage guests to mingle. “This led to some fantastic pictures, and I think it got the guests who didn’t know each other talking ‒ nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition in betting on how long you all think the speeches will be!” shares Hannah. LOOKING THE PART The wedding dress shopping experience can be different for everyone and Hannah’s initial search left her a little disheartened at first; but raring to go on REAL WEDDINGS 43