Your Herts & Beds Wedding - October/November 2019 (Issue 76)

REAL WEDDINGS 41  surroundings. We also loved that we’d be able to get married in the grand library,” she says. The ceremony room was decorated with a range of stunning floral arrangements. At the front of the room there were two large pedestals of a gold urn and plinth with a mix of blooms including trailing amaranthus, English foliages, pampus and Chinese lanterns. The fireplace mantelpieces featured gourds, foraged leaves and vines, trunk stems and trailing foliages. Emma’s autumnal hand-tied posy complemented the look with deep red roses, burnt orange calla lilies, berries and red grasses and the bridesmaids had smaller versions. AUTUMNAL TOUCHES For the centrepieces a log slice was adorned with autumn leaves, twigs, mosses, miniature pumpkins and gourds. To keep the look flowing throughout, pumpkins were also created from wine corks and placed on the cake table and the stationery featured gold and the wine colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses, along with a leaf design. Wooden leaves were used as place settings with guests’ names and the wedding date carved into them and each table had a quotation about love or marriage from a film, song or book. COMFORT FOOD For their cake, the duo opted for a three-tired cinnamon square with cream cheese frosting with decoration of iced flowers and leaves in autumnal colours down one side. “For our favours we gave guests apple and cinnamon gin, made by my mum. The flavour tied it into the autumnal theme,” says Emma. Seasonal comfort food was served throughout the day while the evening food reflected Emma and Rob’s love of wine and pizza. “Everyone mentioned our food and Brian from the catering company was awesome. He made sure we both always had food and drink and made the day run so smoothly,” she says. BEAUTIFUL SUNSET A live band performed at the start of the reception and a DJ played music until the end of the night. “Both were excellent and our guests really seemed to enjoy it. The band played a mix of indie, alternative and current tunes and the DJ played some classics that got everyone dancing,” says Emma.  “One of the things that stands out for me was the sunset during the wedding breakfast. Becky our photographer just came and grabbed us while we were eating, saying we had to get some shots outside and she was right! Those photos are some of my favourites from the day,” she says. “I know it’s a cliché but it was literally the best day of my life – having our closest friends and family there to celebrate, the beautiful venue and weather. It was incredible.”