Your East Anglian Wedding - Feb/Mar 2019 (Issue 35)

REAL WEDDINGS 49  pocket square while Liam looked dapper in a burgundy three piece and handmade monk strap shoes from Undandy, personalised with their names and wedding date. The groomsmen looked the part in trousers and waistcoats in a mix of coordinating shades to complement the bridesmaids’ long, navy dresses. Best girl Jo stood out in a burgundy lace version with a boat neck top while fellow best girl Kerry wore a navy dress with a knee-length satin skirt. Even Henry, the pet pooch and honorary ring bearer, sported a snazzy bow tie. “We decided on the navy and burgundy colour combination as we felt it added an element of style and fun to the day. The outfits varied for each of our friends as we wanted to show their different personalities,” says Liam. To complete the look the bridesmaids had wrist corsages with white rose buttonholes for the groomsmen. Martyn had a bigger version and Liam’s included pheasant and peacock feathers for extra flair. THE PERSONAL TOUCHES To incorporate Liam’s love of gardening into their celebration, guests were given personalised wildflower seed packets as favours which also doubled up as place names. “We wanted to create a rainbow with the centrepieces so chose a different colour flower for each table including red dahlias, pink gerberas and yellow sunflowers. They were arranged on silver candelabra and the different types of flowers were used for the table names,” explains Liam. “We added hessian bunting, chair sashes and church candles throughout the barn and the terrace was decorated with festoon lighting which looked amazing in the evening.” Friend Jill Stafford made their four-tier semi-naked cake which included salted caramel, carrot, lemon and chocolate layers. Prosecco and raspberry lemonade was served on the terrace post-vows followed by Mediterranean-style sharing mezze boards for the wedding breakfast and gammon, carved at the table by designated guests. “For the evening we had Southwood’s sausage sizzle potato station which turned out to be a massive hit and then the ultimate sweet fix which included a sweet table, popcorn and candy floss machines, hot doughnuts and smores,” adds Liam. TIME TO CELEBRATE During the day family and friends were entertained with garden games and an inflatable assault course. A major highlight for Liam was a surprise video message from his favourite performer, New York singer and diva impersonator Christina Bianco. “Martyn arranged it all and managed to keep it secret until it was played on the big screen just after the speeches. I was so honoured and humbled that she took the time to send us a message. It was really touching, a memory I’ll cherish forever.” Come the evening everyone hit the dancefloor as singer AJ Lewis performed a medley of Motown and pop hits. “He had the crowd singing along,” says Liam. “He also learnt I’ll Always Be Right There by Bryan Adams especially for our first dance.” The night ended with all 200 guests joining in to create a tunnel of sparklers for the happy couple to walk through.