Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - Page number 31 - November/December 2021 (Issue 89)

REAL WEDDINGS 31 fun activity at the hen do and they were a great wedding keepsake too,” adds Carli. THE ‘I DOS’ The ceremony was held outside in the spacious garden flanked by magnificent old trees. Two big floral arrangements filled with lavender roses and other blooms decorated either side of the pavilion and they put organza lavender bags on each guest’s chair along with white, handheld fans. “We wanted to be prepared for sunshine and we were very lucky as it turned out to be a glorious day,” says Carli. As part of the service, they included a unity candle lighting ceremony to illustrate the bond of marriage, which nearly didn’t happen when the lighter went missing. “In a lovely tension-breaking moment, we looked from each other to the registrar and back to our guests, before bursting into laughter realising we had nothing to light the candles with!” recalls Carli. Luckily though, a cousin delivered a lighter on cue and the moment was saved! A string quartet played before, during and after the ceremony, followed by a classical Spanish guitarist during the drinks reception. The venue also had a giant Connect Four game in the garden for guests to enjoy. ALL IN THE DETAIL The reception took place in the venue’s Dawley Barn, a stunning rustic backdrop complete with wooden beams and a feature fireplace. The tables were named after their grandparents who couldn’t be with them and Alex’s sister Emma used her design skills to help create the table plan using a mirror and chalk pen. “She drew lavender around the edges and it was displayed at the entrance to the barn,” explains Carli. She also designed a romantic candlelit centrepiece for the top table. The favours were mini glass bottles of bramble gin and Irish whiskey, in a nod to Alex’s family roots, with pink striped American candy bags to represent Carli’s side. “My parents, sister and her boyfriend travelled from the US and had to quarantine at our house for five days before the wedding, so they helped us loads. They put together the table arrangements, filled all the favour bottles and made the white chiffon chair sashes.” The couple worked with Penelope from Cocoa & Whey to design the lavender and white cake of their dreams including decorative details, patterns and the porcelain topper from Carli’s parents’ wedding cake. “The flavours were malt vanilla, lemon elderflower and the top tier was an orange and morello cherry fruitcake which we’ve kept in the freezer to celebrate our first anniversary,” adds Carli. The catering was all in-house through Lainston House including wines hand-selected by their sommelier. “The food was phenomenal,” raves Carli. TIME TO CELEBRATE As part of the entertainment during the day a silhouette artist drew likenesses of the wedding guests. “She managed to do one for every person there, which was incredible and it was fascinating to watch her work,” says Carli. During the evening, the DJ kept the dancefloor busy. “He did a fabulous job with the playlist and our guests were dancing the whole night. Alex also pulled off a hilariously funny, yet family- friendly, Magic-Mike / Full-Monty type dance in great style to the tune of You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate!” 