Your Kent Wedding - Page number 37 - September/August 2021 (Issue 98)

SETTING THE SCENE Charlotte’s favourite colour is pink and Steven’s is maroon (thanks to the paratroopers), so they incorporated both in their venue styling using lots of beautiful blooms. Steven is a romantic and often bought his bride-to-be flowers, so Charlotte was keen to use all of her favourite varieties including roses and peonies, as well as poppies for the bouquet and groom’s buttonhole. “My bouquet was wrapped in ivory ribbon with a charm of my grandad’s photograph so that he could walk down the aisle with me,” the bride tells us. Plus, the mother-of-the-bride and -groom were treated to a beautiful hand-tied corsage each. The Royal British Legion holds a special place in the hearts of this couple so they chose the charity’s poppy enamel pins, which were attached to place cards, as their wedding favours. Younger guests had their own favours made by the bride, which included word searches and other wedding- themed activities. Each table was named in honour of a loved one there in spirit. For the newlyweds it was a way of including some very dear people and pets: Charlotte’s nan, Ethel and grandad William; Steven’s grandad, Donald; their beloved dog, Gunner; and the groom’s childhood friend Stephen, who was killed in action in Iraq. “It was extremely important that our day was about the joining of two families and therefore we wanted to remember those we wished could have been there,” Charlotte explains. The centrepieces were round vases nestled in palette-fitting floral wreaths. The vases were filled with pebbles collected from Whitstable beach along with a single blush rose, all submerged in water and topped with a floating candle. The table decorations were finished with a scattering of maroon and blush rose petals, along with tiny wooden Mr & Mrs love hearts. Amanda’s Vintage Car Hire provided the transport for the day, an Austin Sheerline and an Austin Princess. Charlotte tells us, “Amanda was wonderful to deal with. I had to reschedule twice and was really indecisive with my bridesmaids’ cars – she was so understanding and fantastic!” The venue catered the event and the food received rave reviews all round. The canapés were served at the tables in line with Covid restrictions and a barbecue was the main course. “My husband is a big foodie and loves barbecue food. So, he was really pleased when we were called up to be served first,” Charlotte says. Stress over money and ideas just isn’t worth it. It’s about you and your soulmate joining together forever.That’s the main focus. REAL WEDDINGS 37