Ben winked at me while ice-skating on our first date, and in that exact moment I knew I’d found something special in this person,” says Hannah. It was remembering this special moment that made Ben book ice-skating for them again at the same rink while on a weekend away together in Bath a few years later. On the same spot where they took their first photo together, he got down on one knee and asked Hannah to marry him. “It was absolutely beautiful, the sky was dark, the air was crisp and the lights around the rink were glistening,” Hannah remembers. Hannah grew up in the village of East Coker. She was christened and her parents were married at East Coker Church, plus she spent every primary school year attending school plays and ceremonies there at Christmas. From a young age, she dreamed of getting married at the church, so the choice of ceremony location was an easy one. Ben grew up very close to Old Bridge, so the couple arranged a visit to the venue and within seconds of arriving had completely fallen in love with it. “John, Liz and Ariane have worked so hard to create such a magical space, and allow you to use it as a blank canvas,” Hannah explains. “Plus, the grounds and gardens are so well kept, even the simplest weddings look outstanding.” And thus the reception venue was chosen too, with the date set for 8th July, 2023. Read on as bride Hannah tells us all about it... SETTING THE SCENE The couple settled on a gorgeous colour palette of emerald green, gold and blush pink, with a boho and vintage theme. Hannah created the centrepieces using metal lampshades and stands, which she sprayed gold. She then used faux flowers and pampas grass in shades complementing the palette to create floral displays to sit alongside them. Kim’s Bridal Bouquets in Radstock created the bouquets and corsages. “I sent a variety of ideas to Kim and asked her to include greens, blush pink and some gold in each one. The end result was absolutely beautiful,” Hannah shares. Hannah’s dad, Martin, made a 6ft wooden arch, which together with Hannah’s mum, Kate, he sanded and stained. The bride then used the large pampas from her grandparents’ garden she’d be drying out for the past 18 months to create a magnificent floral display to decorate it. It served as a fabulous photo opportunity with guests at the reception. They also purchased some old whisky barrels, which again Martin set to work on. He sanded these down and treated them, after which Hannah’s sign-painter grandad adorned them with the couple’s initials. “This made the venue look personal and provided guests with tables to set their drinks down on while gathering in the grounds,” Hannah says. Martin owns a 1964 VW split screen Campervan, which he’s spent many years rebuilding to make it exactly as he wants. In fact, Hannah has grown up with it in her life, so she asked for her dad to drive her to her wedding in this, his pride and joy. “This was one of the most special moments for me,” she says. “Not only was my dad able to give me away, but he was able to share a big joy in his life with me.” “We felt so in love and joyful to have our families and friends around us. It really is a feeling you can’t explain.” – Hannah “ 23 REAL WEDDINGS
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