Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - April/May 2020 (Issue 82)

S helley and Luke met in 2011 at a friend’s party and have been inseparable ever since! Five years later Luke proposed on 5 th September 2016 in front of the Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy. “We were having a picture in front of the Venetian famous landmark with our three- year-old son, when I went to put him down I turned around and Luke was on one knee,” recalls Shelley. “The crowd erupted and everyone around us was cheering and clapping, I was extremely emotional and completely speechless, so was not able to get any words out not even yes, so I nodded. Luke pulled me tight and hugged me whilst waving to everyone on the bridge and around us as if to say ‘she said yes’.” The big date was set, 16 th August 2019, with The Tythe Barn, Launton, here we find out more about their day. SETTING THE SCENE Shelley and Luke knew instantly that The Tythe Barn, Launton was for them as soon as they walked through the doors. “Everything about the barn was perfect, from the high-beamed fairylights, to the grounds and the beautiful wisteria walkway. We both really wanted an outdoor wedding – little did we know that the English weather would not allow this – and the setting was beyond perfect!” shares Shelley. “Tythe Barn could not have been more helpful even from our initial viewing of the venue and they answered question after question in the build-up always re-assuring us and making every effort to guarantee that we could have the day we wanted.” For the finishing touches, the couple opted for favours of jam jars filled with imperial mints wrapped in hessian with a thank you tag from the bride and groom. The table plan was a ‘floating’ design decorated with foliage and white balloons, while the two trestle-style tables were adorned with foliage and the top table had a mixed flower and eucalyptus garland that included some David Austin roses and white thistles. The place name settings were hand-written magnolia leaves, and there was also a photo stand with white balloons and foliage garland wrapped around, with hanging grey rustic ribbon with Polaroid pictures of Shelley, Luke and the boys. LOOKING THE PART Shelley looked oh-so gorgeous in a Pronovias mermaid-cut and sweetheart neckline wedding dress. “I instantly knew that the dress was the one when I tried it on, I was overcome with emotion and felt the best version of myself, like a true princess,” shares Shelley. “The style and colouring was perfect for my body and complexion. I accessorised with a church- length semi-edged wedding veil by Britten Wedding, and Valentino water rose rockstud sandals. Luke looked dapper in a three-piece, grey, black and white check suit jacket and waistcoat and navy suit trousers from Clements and Church, while the groomsmen wore navy suits. The bridesmaids wore dove-grey fishtail dress with a halterneck and criss-cross back strap. “Finding the right bridesmaids’ dresses was the hardest part of wedding planning for me,” shares Shelley. “I must have ordered hundreds of dresses, but we finally found the right shade of grey and style that would suit all four of my bridesmaids.” TIME TO CELEBRATE To entertain guests, the couples were due to have garden games and sparklers, but due to the wonderful (!) English weather, Shelley and Luke were not able to have any of this. “So our guests were entertained by our sweetie table, music and wonderful conversations!” says Shelley. The invites asked for each guest to choose a song to help build a wedding playlist that everyone would be able to REAL WEDDINGS 39 