the ceiling of the marquee along with fairylights and chandeliers that lit up the space. We had bottles filled with lights which shone in the evening and solar lights and more bunting provided a boundary to the marquee area. We placed straw bales outside for everyone to sit on which looked fantastic! Phil painted a pallet outlining the order of the day and made the wedding signs so that our guests could find their way to the farm.” LOOKING THE PART Helen wore a Mori Lee gown called Saskia. “I fell in love with its sleek, sophisticated silhouette which was very flattering,” she tells us. “I wasn’t sure whether I wanted lace detail or plain fabric but this dress offered it all! It featured Chantilly lace panelling down the sides, a beautiful illusion back, a sweeping neckline and it was scattered with sequins that sparkled in the light. The long train was impractical but I loved and embraced it! As soon as I put it on I knew it was the one for me. My mum, Pam and stepdaughter, Hollie were there with me and they loved it too. I teamed it with a full-length veil which was the same length as the train and decorated with crystals.” Helen’s bridal sandals were perfect for a hot summer’s day and very comfortable. “I lasted all day and night wearing them!” she tells us. “They had a blue gem underneath which was my something blue and I also wore a pair of delicate drop earrings and a bracelet borrowed from my maid-of-honour, Debbie as my something old and something borrowed. The bridal boutique did a fabulous job with my mum’s dress knowing immediately what style would suit her. She decided on a fitted grey and ivory dress by Veni Infantino with a matching jacket.” Phil’s best man, Nick along with his brother Chris, son Callum, nephew Daniel and Helen’s dad, Steve all wore the same dark-grey suits with grey tweed check waistcoats. Phil tells us, “I knew I wanted a dark-grey suit and chose purple ties and pocket handkerchiefs to match Helen’s choice of colour for the bridesmaids’ dresses. I also wore a pocket watch which was a wonderful gift from Helen on the day engraved with our wedding date, time and the words ‘Please meet Miss Parkin – 16th July 2022, 2 pm – and leave with Mrs Daniels”. The couple’s bridesmaids were Helen’s sister Gemma, Phil’s daughter Hollie and Helen’s cousin Hayley. Their maid-of-honour was Debbie. “Their purple floor-length gowns were all the same halterneck styles,” Helen says. “We gifted them bracelets to wear and they chose the rest of their jewellery, hairstyles and shoes themselves. We also gave them personalised robes to wear while we all got ready.” TIME TO CELEBRATE Phil made Helen’s horsebox into a homemade photo booth which was a great hit with their guests. “We captured plenty of fun photographs and hired a double-decker bus for the bar which was cool! It was fun climbing up on the top deck to see the surrounding views - you could even see the sea!” Helen says. The couple hired a live band to kick-start the evening and they performed until late. “They played a varied mix of songs which suited all ages. When they finished, our DJ Chris took over playing 90’s classics and dancefloor anthems to keep the party going until the early hours!” Helen says. “It was amazing to see the dance floor full and everyone having a great time. It was funny watching everyone stagger out of the marquee afterwards and we both stayed on drinking red wine and eating cheese and biscuits until 5 am after everybody had left. We always planned to be the last ones to leave the marquee and once it was quiet, we strolled back down the lane to our house with the sun just starting to rise.” 29 REAL WEDDINGS
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