An Essex Wedding - May/June 2020 (Issue 92)

REAL WEDDINGS 35 T here’s something so romantic about a couple who met at school, like Alexandra and Piers did. After being by each other’s side for many years, Piers started thinking about popping the question. “We had a weekend away at The Norfolk Mead Hotel,” Alexandra tells us. “After a lovely long lunch at a nearby pub, we watched England beat Ireland in the Six Nations Rugby. Piers was so excited that he got down on one knee when we were back at the hotel!” The pair got planning their perfect day for 5 th October, 2019, with a church ceremony at St Mary the Virgin church in High Easter, followed by a marquee reception at Alexandra’s parents’ home. We chatted to Alexandra to get all the details… SETTING THE SCENE There was only one place in the couple’s minds where they wanted to celebrate. “My parents’ home is very special to me,” Alexandra says. “It’s also the most beautiful setting.” The name of the room at the hotel where they got engaged was Crabapple. “It was this and the time of year that inspired our autumnal theme,” the bride says. “My mum is the most talented florist and she runs Tangle & Thyme Floral Design. She incorporated lots of seasonal produce into the design – all accented with pale pink roses, deep mulberry cosmos and grey eucalyptus.” The mother-of-the-bride created incredible archways, centrepieces, and urns brimming with natural elements. As dusk came, there were pale pink candles to give the marquee an enchanting glow. The bride also enlisted the help of her friend Elis to design a motif to run throughout the day. “The crabapple and sprig logo was used on our stationery and created a lovely theme – she’s very talented!” Alexandra says. On the tables, guests were treated to Hedgepig gin favours while the place settings were designed with a sprig of eucalyptus for the girls, and a pheasant feather for the boys. Piers’ dad, who’s very handy, made a pallet wall from which they hung the table plan, with each table named after autumn produce. To create wow factor above the top table, they hung a pretty ladder above it. “It was adorned with pale pink roses, foliage, little lanterns and hanging candles,” the bride says. Catering was provided by The Felsted Black Labrador Catering – a family friend. On the back of the menus were the lyrics to Say A Little Prayer. “I got up and sang it as a surprise after my dad’s speech – with a little help from my bridesmaids and then the whole marquee!” Alexandra explains. Guests were kept fuelled by a gin bar, with cocktails named after the newlyweds, and a cake by The Hazlebury Kitchen. “It was incredible,” the bride tells us. “A delicious mix of white chocolate and raspberry with summer berries. It was made by the lovely Poppy, who is super-talented and great to work with.” Alexandra and Piers’ gorgeous marquee wedding was bursting with love and personal details Images courtesy of Sally Forder for Binky Nixon Photography  IS WHERE THE HEART IS Home