Your West Midlands Wedding - Feb/Mar 2019 (Issue 60)

REAL WEDDINGS 41  L ucy and David first met at an outdoor bootcamp. “When David joined it was winter and got dark earlier, so I didn’t notice him until a social event in March,” shares the bride. “My sister went to talk to him on my behalf and our relationship went public in June.” Fast forward two years and David asked his bride-to-be for her hand in marriage. “David had the ring designed in December, 2016, however I was training for the London Marathon and he didn’t want to take the shine away from this. Plus, I wasn’t drinking through the training period so we wouldn’t have had much of a celebration,” says Lucy. “My birthday was after the marathon so David held off a little longer. He told me he was taking me to a work party at Stone Manor, Kidderminster, on Saturday 20 th May, but instead he led me to a secluded garden and got down on one knee.” SETTING THE SCENE The couple were absolutely blown away by the beautiful grounds and moat at Birtsmorton Court. “There was a church on-site, which immediately made up our minds and the exclusive-use was an important factor too,” says Lucy. The table plan was simple and matched the invitations, it was set on an easel covered in flowers and surrounded by candles. The tables were each named after one of the couple’s ’firsts‘, including their first theatre show, Jersey Boys, and Central Park – where they first went ice skating. “We had nine round tables with sequin runners in the same material as the bridesmaids’ gowns. Each table had one of three different flower arrangements. One was tall, one was medium-size and the other was slightly shorter,” shares the bride. “The top table had blooms and foliage which covered its length and cascaded down the front. I opted for candles as we wanted soft lighting in the venue. We also used rose gold wooden names as our place settings.” The cake was a beautiful five tier naked masterpiece made of vanilla sponge with strawberry jam and adorned with flowers. It stood on a wooden stand decorated with fairylights while tea lights were placed around it. The pair also opted for a bakery table in the evening with treats, including shortbread hearts, as a nod to David’s Scottish heritage, which guests could take home. “As guests entered the marquee we had some beautifully decorated wooden ladders with framed photographs of us as children progressing to adults and then photos of us as a couple,” adds Lucy. LOOKING THE PART Lucy wore a Mori Lee tulle ball gown complete with scattered crystal detailing. “I never thought I would get married in a dress like that, as it was quite large. However, I was with my sister and we happened to pass a lovely wedding shop in Solihull,” says the bride. “We popped in and the ladies were very accommodating. It was the first one I tried and when I came out and showed my sister, she cried – I knew then that it was the one.” The bride accessorised with a crystal tiara and her sister’s veil, blush pink Jimmy Choo’s and had a Chelsea FC garter that her sister bought as a surprise in relation to her love of the football club! Lucy also wore a pair of beautiful rose gold earrings from her aunty who had sadly passed away the year before. “David looked so handsome! He donned a kilt in the Scottish National Tartan, which he picked himself and kept it as a surprise for me,” adds Lucy. “The groomsmen wore black Ted Baker tuxedos with waistcoats. They had pink pocket squares in material matching the colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses, which I designed myself. They all had sequin top halves in a rose gold hue and blush pink silk skirts. Each one CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU Lucy and David’s big day followed a blush and rose gold colour palette Images courtesy of John Colson Photography Lucy Hingley, 32, married David Stewart, 35, at Birtsmorton Court, Malvern, on 7 th April, 2018.