REAL WEDDINGS 33 Darryl lived in the apartment above Liz, and one day, his dishwasher started leaking! Water began pouring through one of the light fixtures into Liz’s place, prompting her to rush over and ring his doorbell to get it fixed—that’s how their story began. After everything was sorted out, Darryl invited her for a glass of wine as an apology, and they instantly connected. They dated for a few years, and just before the onset of Covid-19, Liz moved in with him. Darryl was drawn to her intelligence, ambition, and strong character, while Liz admired his zest for life, his commitment as a father, and his unwavering confidence. They felt an immediate physical attraction, but what mattered most was that they were best friends at heart. Darryl whisked Liz away to Pennyhill Park in Bagshot for a weekend getaway to mark the sixth anniversary of their first kiss. He arranged a relaxing spa experience and a delightful dinner. On the chilly, frosty morning of December 11th, they strolled through the estate’s beautiful grounds. As they explored, they stumbled upon a lovely ornamental garden where Darryl asked Liz to step up the stairs for a photo. When she turned back, he was down on one knee! It was an unexpected moment that couldn’t have been more perfect. SETTING THE SCENE The couple collaborated to design an enjoyable and stress-free wedding. They focused on a personal and relaxed atmosphere while ensuring their families played a central role in various preparations. They aimed for the day and the lead-up to be fun, and they certainly achieved that. Lodge Farm House provided an ideal backdrop for the wedding, blending a laid-back countryside vibe with a touch of elegance. The entire celebration occurred outdoors, with the ceremony on the lawn and the wedding breakfast and reception hosted in a spacious threehat tipi. The stunning old house in the background added a charming, quintessentially English feel to the venue, making it perfect for the couple. Everyone in the wedding party enjoyed a relaxed stay onsite the night before and the night of the wedding, creating a warm, homely atmosphere. The florist did a fantastic job! Liz shared her vision for the colour scheme and the overall vibe they wanted, and the florist crafted the gorgeous bouquets, buttonholes, table arrangements and a magnificent archway for the ceremony. The couple desired a slightly wild look, steering clear of anything too formal or neatly arranged, and the results were absolutely breathtaking. They even relocated the archway to serve as the entrance to the tipi in the evening, allowing everyone to appreciate it throughout the day. The table plan was displayed on the bride’s grandfather’s vintage iron treadle sewing machine, which resembled an easel with a wheel on the ground. The table names reflected some of their cherished vacation spots from over the years. Additionally, they chose dusty blue napkins tied with rustic string and adorned with a sprig of either rosemary or ivy from Liz’s mother or grandmother’s gardens. The bride collected a selection of her and Darryl’s cherished childhood books and scores from their favourite songs, handmade paper, origami paper, and newspapers. She crafted hundreds of paper flowers in various sizes and styles, which were then wrapped around wooden rings of different dimensions and adorned with ribbons, hanging gracefully from the ceiling of the tipi above the top table. To enhance the evening’s enchantment, paper lanterns were placed around the perimeter, perfectly complementing the fairylights that the venue had already set up. The centrepieces showcased numerous tiny glass bottles arranged along the tables, each holding delicate English flowers and grasses.
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