Your West Midlands Wedding - Dec/Jan 2019 (Issue 65)

REAL WEDDINGS 37  I mogen and Chris met at university and, with friendship as a great foundation, romance blossomed. Chris proposed in Criccieth, North Wales, a few days after the anniversary of them getting together. Which came as a complete surprise to Imogen despite her parents knowing. North Wales is a special place to Imogen as she spent a lot of time there as she grew up and it’s where her grandparents live, who she is particularly close to, meaning they could see them after. “The original plan was to romantically propose on the beach at sunset...slightly ruined by the tropical storm deciding to turn up!” shares Chris. “Instead I set up blankets and candles on the hotel room floor while she was in the shower. She burst into tears when she saw I was on one knee, and ran back into the bathroom hysterical.” Eventually coming out to give him a hug, kiss and the answer he wanted and was expecting. The next day the happy pair climbed up Snowdon in the tropical storm, and remarkably Imogen got down with the ring still attached, despite clinging onto a rock for dear life at points. The wedding date was set, 1 st June, 2019, with St Gregory’s Church, Tredington providing the ceremony setting and Tredington Manor, Imogen’s parents’ house, hosting the reception. Their British Countryside Wedding-theme was complemented by a blush pink, rose gold and cream colour palette and here we find out more about their day... SETTING THE SCENE It had always been Imogen’s dream to get married in the village church where she grew up with the reception in her parents’ garden. Chris was well aware of this even before proposing, so it was decided that if they could feasibly do it, then they would! “This meant the whole wedding was incredibly personal and special to us, we used amazing suppliers and didn’t have the restraints of a hired venue – our dog could join us in the celebrations too!” In planning, the couple were keen to use local suppliers or those that were personal to them to support the community. The favours were little jars of honey, from Imogen’s dad’s hives, complete with honey dipper. “Imogen’s maiden name is Bee plus we met in Manchester – home of the Manchester worker bee – so it had to be done,” adds Chris. The table plan was gin-themed drawn and painted by a friend, Ellie Lewis, and highlighted their favourite tipple from across the UK. For centrepieces, the couple opted for a mixture of beautiful, flower-filled candelabra and lanterns, accompanied with light- filled gin bottles for the name of the table, “A lot of gin was consumed in the planning of the wedding with the help of my brother and his wife!” recalls Chris. The blooms on the day were romantic delicate arrangements filled with duchesse de nemours peonies, sweet avalanche roses, voyage and akito roses with plenty of greenery and pheasant feathers. The big-day bake was three giant French fancies, in pastel pink, blue and yellow, decorated with ornate icing flowers. “Everyone has nostalgia when eating French fancies – who doesn’t love them!” delights Chris. “We’re big foodies, so this was something which was important to us, as we have been to weddings where we have come away hungry or as evening guests not been able to have food as there wasn’t enough. We wanted to ensure everyone was well fed and watered – which Caviar & Chips certainly did!” LOOKING THE PART Imogen wore a Riki Dalal dress Amara from the Noya collection. “This was actually the first dress I tried on and instantly knew this