Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 78)

REAL WEDDINGS 35  go with the rustic theme, including lavender, dusky pink roses, delphiniums, ears of wheat and oats, finished with hessian ribbon. THE PERSONAL TOUCHES As a keen fan and novice violin player herself, Tracey had her heart set on having a violinist playing as she walked down the aisle. “We wanted someone who stood out and Joel Grainger did exactly that,” she enthuses. “He plays the violin using a loop pedal and beatboxing and performed at the ceremony and in the gazebo during the drinks reception while canapés were being served on the lawn. We also had some garden games, including an archery set, to keep our guests entertained." With the help of family and friends, Tracey was able to put her own personal stamp on the reception and decorate the pavilion the night before. “We were all able to get creative and it was so much fun,” she recalls. The tables were dressed with hessian runners, wooden log slices and confetti with artificial soft pink and lavender flowers for the centrepieces and garlands. “I wanted to create a romantic feel, so I added plenty of candles and scattered real lavender seeds on the tables.," adds Tracey. The favours were personalised tea lights and packets of wildflower seeds, along with laser-cut wooden place names and help-yourself jars of traditional sweets. Tracey’s bridesmaid Stacey made their three-tier cake which went down a treat with the evening barbecue. PARTY TIME “Our master of ceremonies is also a good friend of ours and he did a great job helping to make the day run smoothly,” says Tracey. For the evening entertainment they had a magician and disco. “The DJs played all the music we wanted and had a great lighting rig and sound system. We had a mix of hip hop, pop, 80’s hits, dance and indie numbers which got everyone on the dancefloor. Two of our ushers and Aaron had their own sets too. For the last song of the night we requested Fix You by Coldplay and while Aaron and I danced our guests formed a circle around us and sang along. It was like something from a film and we’ll never forget it.”