Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding - Jun/Jul 2019 (Issue 77)

J essica and Bianca met in adverse circumstances: on the basketball court. They were both involved in an American women’s league, and four-and-half years later, Jessica still likes to remind Bianca who came out on top that day. A month after their first meeting, during a league social in Boston, they hit it off again, on less competitive terms, spending the evening chatting about life – and the rest was history. In December 2017, on travelling to England to spend Christmas with Jessica’s family, and following a day of sightseeing and ice skating, Bianca proposed to Jessica at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Not to be outdone, a few months later Jessica carried out a counter-proposal of her own after going to see friends for dinner. Bianca was surprised to find their future ring-bearer and flowergirl holding a sign saying ‘Say yes to the Jess’ while Say You Won’t Let Go played in the background. Both proposals, we’re happy to say, were equally successful... SETTING THE SCENE Both brides reside in the United States, but Jessica’s family, including her parents and brother, live in Oxfordshire. It was important to both of them that their families were in attendance, and because Jessica’s family is larger, it made more sense to have the wedding in the UK. More importantly, Jessica and Bianca wanted their guests to experience the beauty of the English countryside. During a spring trip overseas, they attended a wedding fair at Lains Barn and immediately fell in love with the venue. It was centrally located for their English guests and had the added attraction of an old yet restored British countryside barn for all attending from the US. The brides worked with a decorator, who helped enhance the greenery of the barn with white flowers, copper tones and green glassware. The aisle was decorated with geometric terrariums, battery-powered candles and fairylights and moss/foliage.The table plan was created out of vintage photo frames, and decorations included rustic welcome signs, a vintage suitcase card and IT’S A SLAM DUNK! Jessica and Bianca got #hitchedwiththeBrits on their vintage-style big day at Lains Barn, Oxfordshire Images courtesy of Nigel Chapman Photography REAL WEDDINGS 41 