ROLL CREDITS Venue, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/weddings | Photographer, Jeff Oliver Photography, https://jeffoliverphotography.com | Dress, Perfection Bridal, www.perfectionbridalmaidstone.co.uk | Jewellery and accessories, Etsy RachelChaprunne (earrings), PrettyIndigo (necklace), ChantelleReneeBridal (haircomb) | Hair stylist, RKW Hair, https://rkwhair.co.uk Make-up artist, Elizabeth Joseph Love, www.elizabethjosephlove.co.uk | Suits, Aults of Bolton, www.aults.co.uk | Chocolate sculpture, Chocally, https://chocally.co.uk | Flowers, Lilac & Lace, www.lilac-and-lace.co.uk | Transport, AMB Travel, www.amb-travel.co.uk | Food truck, Pizza Leonati, https://pizzaleonati.com | Cocktails, Wildbox, www.wildboxevents.co.uk | Celebrant, Simply Ceremonies UK, https://celebrant-uk.co.uk Charleston dance lesson, Swing Patrol, www.swingpatrol.co.uk | Mini Golf, Crazygolf4u, www.crazygolf4u.co.uk | On-the-day coordinator, Devine Bride, www.devinebride.co.uk | Videographer, This Modern Revelry, https://thismodernrevelry.com | String Quartet, Chiqas, https://chiqas.co.uk | Photo booth, Temptation Towers, www.temptationtowers.co.uk | Toastmaster, Your Toastmasters, www.yourtoastmasters.co.uk | Face painter, Clare’s Face Painting, www.claresfacepainting.co.uk | Love letters, Love Letters Kent, www.loveletterskent.co.uk We wanted the wedding to be fun and provided a lot of entertainment. During the drinks reception we had mini golf, a selfie photo booth and a make-your-own flower crown station. In the evening, Swing Patrol taught us all the Charleston and we topped it all off with a face painter. Not forgetting the safari for all the guests of course! My top tip is to hire an on-the-day wedding co-ordinator. Laura handled everything from the month beforehand, putting together a detailed plan and timetable for our suppliers, as well as being their main point of contact on the day. This took a lot of the pressure away from me and meant I could relax knowing everything was in the hands of an expert. We saw each other before the ceremony for a first look, which was incredibly special and emotional, even the rhinos came up to the top of the field to join us. I felt a bit overwhelmed when the day finally arrived after Covid delays. I think my brain stopped being able to process memories past mid-morning as so much was going on! We were just so happy to be celebrating with all our friends and family at last, and to leave the stress of wedding planning during a pandemic and all the unknowns that entails behind. WITH THANKS My mum started a jewellery business on etsy in honour of my artist grandfather, and made the necklace I wore in the evening. Hannah at Port Lympne organised beautiful vintage tea sets to be hired as a surprise. Special thanks too to our photographers for the stunning pictures and for bearing with us so graciously, and also to our videographers for perfectly capturing the atmosphere. We got a lot of compliments on our personalised ceremony, which was the first time many of our guests had experienced one led by a celebrant. Karina did an amazing job with lots of humour. Liz and Angela who did our hair and make-up are incredibly talented – they were great fun during the morning and my look stayed in place all day. All our suppliers were amazing and so much made the day special. Walking into the wedding breakfast to cheers from our friends and family was a special moment. We’ll never forget spending time feeding the beautiful giraffes. At the end, one decided she hadn’t had enough and tried to eat Andy’s buttonhole! 60
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