brides can enjoy them. The fresh flower bouquets, corsages and buttonholes were all created by Lush in Liverpool (yes, the bath bomb place!). The team only use seasonal and locally-grown flowers and foliage, which was in keeping with the couple’s sustainable goals for their big day. Ali’s bouquet featured hydrangeas, eucalyptus and jasmine as its main elements. Vintage wedding cars were hired from Love and Carriage. “This is the closest company to where we live, so again we were able to reduce our carbon footprint,” Ali explains. FOOD FOR THOUGHT At Speke Hall the couple provided enough drinks and canapés to tide guests over until the wedding breakfast at Oh Me Oh My. Here, the couple’s assembled loved ones were spoiled with a five course meal of sharing antipasti, followed by fricassee of roasted onions and wild mushrooms or chicken, leeks and pistachio terrine. The main courses were garlic rump of lamb, dauphinoise potatoes and green vegetable medley or harissa roast cauliflower steak with Mediterranean ratatouille. Desserts were candied ginger crème brulee with vanilla shortbread or strawberry and lime pavlova with basil sugar and Chantilly cream. In the evening, guests tucked in to fish and chips with mushy peas, or mini burgers. A selection of cakes was also on offer as a sweet treat, including the big-day bake. Cake On The Lake is based only a stone’s throw from Oh Me Oh My, so again the carbon footprint resulting from delivery was minimal. The bake boasted four flavours and each tier was displayed on its own vintage stand, a pile of books reflecting one of the couple’s interests, with a cake topper to match. LOOKING THE PART The bride looked stunning in a custom-made ballgown in champagne satin and tulle with ivory tulle and lace overlay. It also had a sweetheart neckline with a keyhole back, and a crystal and pearl belt for added detail. Ali made her own fingertip veil edged with delicate lace appliqués and crystal drops, as well as a side tiara. To further personalise her gown, she ordered an embroidered wedding dress applique from Perfectly Bridal on Etsy. It was customised with their names, wedding date and ceremony venue. She also ordered a matching tie patch for the groom. As a huge fan of Doctor Who, the bride’s something old, new, borrowed and blue was a Tardis hanging from her bouquet, and alongside it an Adam and the Ants tomahawk. “They’re still my favourite band and I’ve seen Adam live three times in four years now,” she explains. Finally, and most importantly, a mini photograph frame with a picture of her late parents on their wedding day was also included. The groom and best man wore navy morning suits with contrasting blue waistcoats, while the usher and ring bearer were dressed in matching lounge suits. All four gents accessorised with dusky pink ties and pocket squares to tie in with the bridesmaids’ dresses. Ali’s two adult daughters were maid-of-honour and chief bridesmaid. They both wore matching dusky pink gowns featuring beautifully embroidered tulle over satin, with a Bardot neckline and high-low hem. “They wanted gowns they could wear again and they were absolutely perfect choices,” Ali says. The two junior bridesmaids wore almost identical dresses, except for the neckline – one was halter. The youngest was itching to get into a princess dress, so hers had a full, floor-length tulle skirt with a satin top and heart35 REAL WEDDINGS
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