Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding - September/October 2024 (Issue 77)

Corrine and Matt met at university when they moved into the same flatshare. They’d make excuses to hang out with each other and their flatmates would often find them in the kitchen making numerous cups of tea! “I was attracted to Matt’s blue eyes and his sense of humour,” Corinne shares. Matt meanwhile had an instant crush on Corinne but was too shy to ask her out, so Corinne eventually stepped up and did the asking. Matt proposed to his love in Edinburgh at the top of Calton Hill on 5th November. Corrine says, “He jokes that he chose this date as it was easy for him to remember, remember the 5th November!” Stunning stately home Knowsley Hall boasts a rich history and beautiful grounds, and fitted well with the couple’s dream Downton Abbey/1920s theme. “The staff were very friendly and professional,” Corrine explains. “An added bonus was being conveniently located for the majority of our friends and family.” So, that decided, the couple didn’t hesitate in booking their date, 6th April 2024. Read on as Corrine tells us more... SETTING THE SCENE Along with their vintage theme, the couple opted for a black, gold, white and purple palette. The favours were individually wrapped Whittard teabags in their favourite flavours, along with Lindt chocolates in gold and black wrappers. They also provided dinosaur-themed digital cameras for the children and devised a picture challenge for them, producing entertaining results! Meanwhile, the toddlers were gifted pop-up books to keep them amused. The table plan was designed in the Art Deco style finished in black and gold. The venue provided the place names, which were ivory with black writing. The table numbers were inspired by the couple’s pop culture interests and included Anfield, Jurassic Park, Downton Abbey, Mandalore, The Shire, Dust 2 and Sandford. Matt drew the signs on black card with gold pen. The reverse side featured a related quote. Tables were adorned in cream sequined tablecloths with black candlestick holders and gold vases containing calla lilies, orchids, anthuriums and anemones, plus foliage and gold accents. For the aisle, the pair chose mini flower meadows featuring the same blooms as the centrepieces, with foliage including palms, monstera, aralia, dracaena and ruscus. Fairylights were intertwined to give the illusion of fireflies. The bride’s bouquet was a cascading shower design with a palette of white and green. The bridesmaids carried smaller versions. The big-day bake included four mouth-watering tiers of chocolate orange, salted caramel, lemon and chocolate mud cake. It was iced in ivory with a hexagonal base and black panel design. The third tier featured a starburst design to mirror the detail on Corrine’s wedding dress. Gold pillars were added to create height and a surprise sugar-work dinosaur was hidden behind one of them as a nod to the bride’s passion for palaeontology. “Suzie did a fantastic job, and it tasted amazing,” Corinne remembers. The two served signature cocktails with a 1920s Art Deco-themed sign ‘Signature Libations’ for Corinne’s French 75 and Matt’s Old Fashioned. LOOKING THE PART Corinne looked the stunning picture of the modern version of a 1920s bride in her Jenny Packham Sweet Wonder gown. “As soon as I tried the dress on, I knew it was the one,” she shares. “I loved the embellishment and intricate detail on the dress and cape. It was something different and more dramatic.” The bride accessorised with a pearl and crystal blossom hair comb, pearl drop earrings and T-strap heels. “I love Downton Abbey-inspired and 1920s fashion and wanted to replicate the elegance and glamour of the period with a slightly modern twist,” she explains. Matt wore a black tie tuxedo, Ripon style, with a white shirt and gold cufflinks. His buttonhole featured a double calla lily, while his groomsmen’s REAL WEDDINGS 33

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=