Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding - Feb/Mar 2019 (Issue 69)

REAL WEDDINGS 41  K aren and Richard Keen were in the same class together at school, but it wasn’t until a chance meeting at the beginning of 2000 when things developed into more than just a friendship. “Some months later, we arranged to meet at a pub quiz, and we’ve been together ever since,” Karen tells us. Fifteen years later, Richard decided it was time to pop the question. “He isn’t the most romantic person, so there was no getting down on one knee,” the bride says. “It was Christmas morning, and he told me there was an extra present for me on the tree. I found a dainty silver box, and inside was a diamond ring.” The pair set the date for 19 th August, 2017, at the gorgeous Mansion House in Bristol. We talked to Karen about how they planned their perfect summer wedding… SETTING THE SCENE The couple loved that the venue could host both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. “The house is brimming with character, and the lovely gardens made us feel so relaxed,” the bride remembers. “We didn’t need much decoration as the interiors are beautiful and full of great artwork.” They kept a simple, country-garden feel with a pretty floral carry case for their wedding cards and a rustic wooden box full of confetti cones from Shropshire Petals. “The dried petals made a fabulous display of colour in the photos,” Karen says. The wedding cake was made in two parts. “The top three round bakes were from Simply Delicious Cakes,” Karen tells us. “The cupcakes and sugar paste flowers were made by my sister, Nicola.” They put the showstopper on a bespoke cake stand from Kings Plastics. For a personal touch, guests wrote messages on little wooden hearts and slotted them into a pink frame for the newlyweds to keep as a memento. “We gave our loved ones individually boxed handmade chocolates as favours, and our female guests all received hand-held fans, which my niece personalised with little bows,” the bride says. Megan Lily Flowers created exquisite floral displays to tie in with the vibe of the day. “The flowers were amazing and suited our theme perfectly,” Karen comments. LOOKING THE PART The bride had a shorter dress in mind for the big day. “Being an older bride and as the weather was so warm, I knew it’d be the best style for me,” she says. “The style I found was by House of Mooshki, and I fell in love as soon SUMMER LOVIN’ The Mansion House was the idyllic backdrop for Karen and Richard’s big day Images courtesy of Martin Dabek Photography