SETTING THE SCENE They opted for three large tipis with rows of joined-up trestle tables for the ‘anniversary breakfast’ followedby dancing afterwards. “We wanted the whole event to feel relaxed, like attending an informal dinner party with 130 friends! The long tables worked fantastically so we felt right in the middle of everything, with all our guests around us.” As great food lovers and long-standing vegetarians they chose a fully vegetarian menu provided by The Plume of Feathers in Sherborne.“We both love their food and wanted to ensure that our ‘anniversary breakfast’ was a memorable experience for everyone,” explains Maddie. Nick from the Plume helped to design a mouth-watering menu starting with sharing platters, followed by traditional Italian dish ricotta gnudi and a sharing dessert of classic tiramisu as well as warm panetonne. “The sharing theme worked so well, not only in reducing unnecessary food waste, but also helping guests to chat and get to know each other,” adds Maddie. In keeping with the boho vibe, they also had tall brightly coloured festival flags outside the tipis. “They really were gorgeous and some of our favourite photos included the tipi festoon and fairylights illuminating the flags, giving it that real Glastonbury feel,” recalls Maddie. THE PERSONAL TOUCHES The decorative details echoed the season with small red poinsettia flowers for the centrepieces, which complemented the gold star table names perfectly. Maddie’s dad made rustic candlesticks out of gnarly old logs from the family log pile and foliage from their garden was used to trim the tipis. Her mum took on the mega task of creating the place names, which were all handwritten on spray-painted gold stars attached to lengths of burnt amber velvet to wrap around the napkins. “Some of our guests loved them so much they took them home as Christmas tree decorations!” adds Maddie. As James and his dad Giles love to surf and sail, and Maddie’s father works as a cruise ship captain, they had a nautical theme for the tables and named them after big waves including ‘Jaws’ and ‘Shipstern Bluff’. James’ cousin Joanna Lillie painted their amazing table plan featuring waves, surfers, boats and eight of their immediate family members. The cake was another wow-factor feature, designed in a retro ’70s style in bright pink, red and orange with a range of flavours including Maddie’s favourite, banana and peanut butter, and James’ top pick, lemon and elderflower. TIME TO CELEBRATE As an extra special detail, they had a sparkler walkway outside the village hall on the way to the tipis. “We did a few test runs prior to the big day, and would recommend buying extra long, long-burn sparklers otherwise your photographer won’t have time to get many snaps!” advises Maddie. She and James also surprised their guests with a choreographed American jive routine to Elvis Presley’s All Shook Up and later in the evening live indie rock band 8-Ball got everyone up on the dancefloor. “We also had fun animal masks and limbo dancing, which got everyone involved,” adds Maddie. “It was honestly the most special feeling, particularly after the past two years, to be surrounded by all our family and friends wishing us well and rooting for us to have the best evening!” REAL WEDDINGS 39
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