Your East Anglian Wedding - October/November 2020 (Issue 45)

REAL WEDDINGS 31  U niversity mates Amber and Ben first bonded over a shared love of cake and custard. Romance blossomed on their first date when Ben won her over with a bottle of wine he’d brought back from Tuscany and a three-course Italian meal before snuggling up to watch a Disney film, which Amber chose – another step in the right direction! Fast forward to the proposal and Ben popped the question on top of a mountain in Tuscany, during a last-minute holiday. “Because he’d had so little time to plan anything, I didn’t suspect a thing so it was a complete surprise. In fact, I almost scuppered his plans by suggesting we turn back because we were cutting it fine for our dinner reservation,” Amber explains. Luckily, Ben managed to convince her to carry on to the summit where he was hoping for an impressive view across the Tuscan hills to the sea beyond, but cloudy weather put paid to that! “The proposal was still romantic and emotional, even though Ben hadn’t managed to find a ring in time!” Amber adds. THE TIME AND PLACE They set the date for 7 th September, 2019 and opted for a rustic theme with a touch of Disney magic. When it came to choosing the venue, they set their sights on a country barn in Suffolk where Amber grew up and Blackthorpe Barn in Rougham ticked all their boxes with its authentic interior and thatched roof. “It was already subtly decorated with fairylights and bunting. It’s also where my family get their Christmas tree from every year, so it had a personal connection too. The wedding team’s enthusiasm for providing restaurant-quality food was also a deciding factor and their partnership with Forage Kitchen certainly delivered this,” enthuses Amber. The quaint St Peter’s Church in nearby Thurston village was ideal for the ceremony. “We were attracted to its beautiful interior with sandy stone walls and intricate choir screen. The congregation was also very welcoming in the lead-up to the wedding, which made it all the more special to return there for our marriage,” adds Amber. LOOKING THE PART Amber found her Suzanne Neville Antionetta dress at the House of Snow in Bury St Edmunds. “Harriet and Jess provided a bridal boutique experience like no other. They were refreshingly honest and down to earth, which made it a really relaxed and fun experience,” she recalls. Made mainly of Italian crepe with subtle lacing and a small bubble train, she completed the look with a single tier, church-length veil to show off the laced V-back. “It ended up suiting me more than the style of dress I thought I’d choose, so my advice is to always keep an open mind.” Ben stood out from the groomsmen in a contrasting burgundy suit and grey waistcoat and the bridesmaids looked stunning in blue Mark Lesley made-to-measure dresses. Amber and her bridal party stayed on site the night before in the beautiful Georgian Blackthorpe House and arrived in style for the ceremony in a white VW Campervan. “We kept this a surprise from the girls and it was great to see their faces when they first saw it! It also meant my sisters could travel with me, as well as my dad, which is something I’d always wanted,” reveals Amber. THE PERSONAL TOUCHES A string quartet played during the ceremony and entertained everyone during the post-vows cocktails and canapés afterwards. “It created the perfect atmosphere with classical songs in the church and more contemporary covers at the reception, including Ed Sheeran’s Perfect , Elbow’s One Day Like This and Wake Me Up