An Essex Wedding - Page number 41 - May/June 2021 (Issue 98)

REAL WEDDINGS 41 AISLE STYLE Laura looked stunning in her timeless gown. “I don’t do lace, and I knew I wanted a simple, classic dress,” she says. “I accessorised it with a belt, hairslide and simple jewellery, while my hair and make-up artist made me feel like a model!” The bride treated herself to four pairs of shoes on the day: aisle shoes, day shoes, flip flops and trainers! The men and the bridesmaids complemented the theme perfectly. “The boys wore navy suits and navy ties, while Tony stood out with pink accessories,” Laura says. “They looked great alongside my best girls in blush pink dresses with lace sleeves.” TIME TO CELEBRATE For the reception, the couple pulled out all the stops by building their very own vintage fun fair. “We had lots of games, from a coconut shy and hook-the-duck to a ring toss and tug-of-war,” Laura says. “It worked brilliantly, with everyone competing, mingling and having a great time.” The party got started in the evening with singer Fil Straughan, which was followed by a DJ and bongo player in the evening to get the crowd on the dancefloor. MEMORABLE MOMENTS So how did the loved-up newlyweds feel on the day? “We felt amazing and so very lucky,” Laura says. “We have some incredible memories, including my brother walking me down the aisle and seeing Tony with tears in his eyes. The balloon release we did for my dad was a moment of stillness, which was lovely. We also had lots of amazing speeches from our nearest and dearest.” There were also tales of the tug-of-war rope being used as a skipping rope. “My sister-in-law thought she was 14 again and tried skipping – she broke her ankle!” Laura laughs.