Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding - Feb/Mar 2019 (Issue 75)

K ara and Anthony were childhood sweethearts after growing up in their local village together. “Little did we think that 13 years later, we would be walking down the aisle together,” says Kara. “Anthony was the naughty boy of the village, and I was the goody two-shoes. Nobody thought it would last!” But it did, although Kara wondered whether Anthony would ever propose. He finally got down on one knee and popped the question on a holiday in Gran Canaria in 2016, which they’d visited previously every couple of years. “I was in shock, as I was really not expecting it, especially after the last three holidays, where I’d got my hopes up,” says the bride. “I just burst into tears when the waiters all came out clapping with the champagne and strawberries. I was on cloud nine!” 10 BOUTIQUES LATER... “My poor family had been with me to 10 dress shops in total,” says Kara. “I had given up hope and thought I would just have to go with something. But when we turned up to Butterfly Bridal Boutique, I actually had to choose between two that I loved. In the end, I went with the complete opposite to what I had imagined, a beautiful fitted Essense of Australia gown that I just felt really elegant in. It had the most beautiful back detail, it wasn’t all puffy and heavy and I could actually dance in it.” EVERYBODY WAS THERE “During the lead-up, we weren’t too sure how we would react and thought we would both be really emotional, but on the day we genuinely just could not stop smiling,” says Kara. “Just having everyone we love there was incredible, and the church service was so personal that it made it really special.” It had been a tough buildup to the wedding, as Kara’s grandfather had passed away. “I always really wanted him to give me away, and for the wedding my nan had a beautiful necklace made for me with grandad’s ashes in, so he was still able to accompany me down the aisle.” Her two brothers also walked down the aisle with her and even did a brothers-of-the-bride speech. “That was truly special,” says Kara. “I have a deep hatred for bananas, and when they brought banana plants out as gifts, I was not amused!” HAVING A PARTY The couple held their reception at Stratton Court Barn. “It had such a lovely family feel, which is just what we wanted,” says the bride. “We wanted the guests to be able to enjoy it their own way, whether that was busting moves on Naughty... BUT NICE! Kara and Anthony proved the doubters wrong with their gorgeous wedding at Stratton Court Barn Images courtesy of Oxford-Photography REAL WEDDINGS 43 