These lovebirds met at work and despite knowing each other for years, they only started dating after working in the same office. Lou says, “I loved how funny and sweet Col was; he genuinely seemed interested in getting to know me.” Col proposed to Lou shortly after her birthday! She says, “We’d had a lovely romantic weekend in York, but Col waited until we had got home to completely shock me by getting down on one knee and popping the question while we sat chilling on the sofa!” SETTING THE SCENE Situated in Lincolnshire, The Dower House Hotel is an elegant Edwardian property that provided the perfect backdrop to Lou and Col’s wedding. The beautiful location first captured their hearts, and they knew it was the perfect backdrop after realising they could tie the knot al fresco. Most flowers on the day were artificial, mixing roses, peonies, eucalyptus and ivy. These were seen throughout the day as the blooms were used to decorate the wedding spaces and the bridesmaids’ bouquets. The buttonholes and the bride’s stunning blooms were created using fresh flowers. Lou attached a brooch from her nan on the hessian bow as her something old. Jenna at Pretty Pinks Floristry went above and beyond to ensure the couple got the most perfect blooms. Finishing Touches Wedding & Event Hire provided dusky pink sashes for the chairs, lanterns, 4ft love letters, blossom trees on either side of the aisle, a white aisle runner, a vintage post box for wedding cards and the table card hoop. Owner Sue was brilliant throughout the wedding process and so helpful! The décor that made the couple’s vision all come together perfectly. The Hotel’s beautiful hurricane lamps and garlands with eucalyptus and white roses made up the centrepieces. The wedding breakfast was included in the Hotel’s wedding package, which was a delicious three-course meal. A shot of pink gin, mini pink sweets for the children, and individual chocolate hearts were given to guests as favours. They also enjoyed the delicious cake created by the bride’s sister-in-law and head bridesmaid. The beautiful naked sponge with buttercream filling was a big hit with guests, as was the small round traditional fruit cake made by the mother-of-the-bride. She decorated the bake with handmade cake toppers used at her very own wedding more than 40 years ago! Loved ones also tucked into the buffet for the evening reception, which provided a great selection to choose from with something for everyone to enjoy! LOOKING THE PART The bride looked stunning in a strapless dress by the wonderful Stella York with an embellished diamanté belt stitched to the waist by the excellent seamstress at La Belle Bridal Boutique. “The team couldn’t have been more lovely, and I couldn’t have said ‘yes to the dress’ without them”, says the bride. “The whole boutique was wonderful, and I had the best experience!” She accessorised her look with studded pink Ted Baker shoes, a simple pearl choker and freshwater pearl bracelets that belonged to her late auntie, whom she wanted to be close to on the special day. She also wore pearl-drop earrings and a beautiful diamanté headband. Lou says, “I felt like an absolute princess, but I was so nervous and didn’t take it all in as much as I should have in the morning.” The groom, his best man and the page boy wore beautiful three-piece blue suits by Marc Darcy. The wonderful maid-of-honour and chief bridesmaid chose dusky pink dresses, while the little flowergirls both wore the same tuille dress in blush pink with a headdress, bouquet and little pink shoes – they complimented one another perfectly. MEMORABLE MOMENTS The bride was hugely excited, massively nervous and a little hung over on the big day! As the day went on, she felt so incredibly happy and REAL WEDDINGS 25
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