Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - February /March 2021 (Issue 87)

S ophia and Daniel first met in 2014 when they worked together at a health club but didn’t start dating until 2016. They became engaged on Christmas Eve in 2018 during a surprise proposal. “We went for a walk in Windsor Great Park that afternoon and it was such a pretty setting,” Sophia tells us. “It was a little bit misty and the sun was just about to set as Daniel turned to ask me to marry him. I thought we were getting a puppy for Christmas but it turned out that I was getting an engagement ring!” SETTING THE SCENE The couple had originally planned on marrying in Italy and had already begun the process of finding a wedding planner to help organise everything, but after seeing some images of Hedsor House and visiting the venue, they were sold. "We attended a showcase there and as soon as we stepped through the doors, we both fell in love with it," Sophia says. "We knew straight away that this would be our wedding venue. We loved every aspect, from the long driveway leading to the house and the views from the gardens to the beautiful Ballroom and the bridal suite – a real showstopper! We also loved the fact that it was an exclusive venue, big enough for a grand event but small enough that it still felt intimate." The couple opted for a classic seating plan with guests sat at numbered tables. Their place names and menus featured images of the venue as did the monochrome table plan. “I loved our mix of tall and short flower centrepieces,” Sophia tells us. “The tall ones were made up of champagne- coloured candelabras with candles and fresh flowers and our low displays were floating wine glasses with fresh flowers and floating candles.” The couple's other flower varieties were soft blush pink and green varieties to create a natural display. “I adored our mouth-watering three-tier, semi- naked cake topped with fresh flowers (supplied by our florist to match our other flowers),” Sophia says. “The delicious tiers were made up of chocolate cake, a red-velvet layer and a sponge cake with raspberry cream. We also gave our guests three Truffalows by CocoaMallow each in salted caramel and honeycomb, hazelnut and Oreo flavours.” “I was so excited and wanted to start the celebrations. All of our suppliers had been so amazing, I felt 100% confident that everything would go smoothly which it did.” – Sophia 42