Your Kent Wedding - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 76)

REAL WEDDINGS 37  Sharah and Sam’s meeting seemed to be orchestrated by Cupid himself after a chance encounter on a night out Images courtesy of Carla Guest Photography S harah was on a weekend break in Manchester with a friend, looking for nightlife inspiration, when she bumped into Sam, who was also on a night out with his mates. Sam was the perfect gentlemen and offered the ladies plenty of excellent advice on where the top bars could be found. Finding themselves going in the same direction, the two groups of friends spent the evening together, during which time Sharah and Sam started to hit it off. Sharah says: “As the evening came to an end, Sam got a cab for us, and it wasn’t until I was getting in that it occurred to us that we hadn’t exchanged numbers. So this story could have had a very different ending rather than being a wonderful beginning. They say you always find love when you’re not looking for it, and I’m a true believer in things happening for a reason.” After this chance meeting, a two-year long distance relationship began, with the pair taking turns to do the five-hour commute between Kent and Manchester. But they made it work for them before Sam made the brave choice to move south. On holiday in Lake Garda, the couple hired a speedboat and enjoyed a romantic picnic on board with views of Sirmione Castle. While Sharah was catching some sun at the front of the boat after lunch, Sam appeared at her side with a ring box and surprised her with the all-important question. “Obviously I said ‘YES!’” Sharah says. The lovebirds visited a number of venues before finding the one in Cooling Castle Barn. “None of them seemed just right,” Sharah explains. “I’d found a Christmas party package at the venue and booked it for my work’s do. I’d never heard of it before that, but the moment we walked in, we both loved it. Within 15 minutes, Sam had asked at the bar for information on weddings. I think we made up our mind there and then.” The date was set for Valentine’s Day 2019. Here we find out more about the big event from the lovely bride… SETTING THE SCENE The bride stayed at Cooling Castle Barn the night before the wedding in order to enjoy relaxed preparations in the morning. Sam stayed at home with his best man, so Sharah surprised him by arranging for a white convertible Bentley to pick them up. She says: “Sam was thrilled, and with the weather being absolutely gorgeous, they were able to have the roof down!” The venue’s recommended supplier, Danny Watchorn Designer Florist, provided much of the styling elements including the aisle runner, Dias carpet, drapes, fairylights and tulle. “Just seeing the pictures of his work, I knew he was my sort of person, as his ideas were very similar to those in my head,” Sharah remembers. The bride crafted all of the bouquets and buttonholes herself, ably assisted by her mum and chief bridesmaid. She used faux flowers as, being Valentine’s Day, the cost of ivory roses had skyrocketed. It was Sam who discovered the blossom tree centrepieces. “He was adamant he had to have them,” Sharah says. “But to give him his due, they did look absolutely beautiful.” To maintain the feeling of glam, glass spheres hung from the branches, containing either tea lights or rose heads. The bride had also made little white tags tied to the napkins with ivory ribbon, which read, “Thank you for sharing our first meal as Mr & Mrs Addy.”