Your East Anglian Wedding - Jun/Jul 2019 (Issue 37)

REAL WEDDINGS 51  dilapidated when he bought it in 2013 and after proposing the mission was to get it on the road in time for the wedding,” recalls Michaela. “Many, many nights were spent in the workshop and there were times when it looked like it would never happen.” However, with extra help drafted in from family, friends and the local garage, the newly hand-painted Land Rover made it on time, complete with flowers and ribbon. FUN ON THE FARM The reception was held on the farm where they live. Three large tipis were set up in the field next to their house so guests could overflow into the garden. Michaela says, “I love all things twinkly and the tipis really allowed me to channel this with an abundance of pretty shiny things. Having the use of our garden meant we were able to have uplighters for the trees, fairylights in the branches and festoon walkways for our guests.” Michaela’s mum manned a team of helpers the day before to fill jam jars, bottles and miniature vases with flowers from Baldock Flower Farm for decoration. She and Ollie’s dad also nurtured pot plants in the run-up to the day to add extra colour to the garden and yard. “We also had an old tractor, owned by Ollie’s dad, in the garden, which was a great hit with our guests,” adds Michaela. THE PERSONAL TOUCH “Our table plan was an aerial photo of the fields that Ollie farms, our home and the church, mounted on a large cork board and displayed on an easel. The tables were named after some of the fields so people were able to learn more about where Ollie works and we both live,” explains Michaela. “We love a party and are partial to a drink or two, so we saved the empties from drinks we’d shared with family and friends leading up to the wedding to fill with candles and flowers for the table decorations.” The wooden holders for the table names were cut from the branches of fallen trees around the farm and guests were given scratchcards in personalised wallets as favours. Ollie’s mum made the three-tier chocolate, coffee and lemon cake and his dad decorated it with freshly cut blossom and a personalised topper. “He used some ballet shoes, as I’ve danced since I was two years old, and a wheel nut from Ollie’s Land Rover restoration. It was placed on a log slice, again cut from a fallen tree on the farm, displayed on a barrel and it tasted delicious!” adds Michaela. The place names were made from corks in a nod to the vineyard proposal and their love of a good party. TIME TO CELEBRATE Rather than a formal meal, they opted for mainly sharing food to complement the relaxed tone of their day. The main course was a roast, Ollie’s favourite, served to the table for guests to help themselves followed by a choice of mini puds displayed on an A-frame dessert station so people could go back for more. “We chose food that we loved and that we knew our guests would too, rather than conforming to a traditional menu, and it all went down a treat,” says Michaela. It was rounded off in the evening with a hog roast and their delicious wedding cake. In a nod to their love of coffee they also hired a local company that serves their favourite brew from a horsebox, including boozy versions and a selection of alcoholic tipples. “They were only due to stay a couple of hours but were so loved by our guests that they ended up staying all night!” The party atmosphere continued throughout the celebration with outdoor games, live music, a fun casino and a sing-song. Michaela adds, “The whole day was amazing and far exceeded what I dreamed it would be. I love a party but nothing can really describe how our celebration made me feel.”