Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding - December 2020/Janaury 2021 (Issue 80)

REAL WEDDINGS 27 W hen Krishna and Phil met on a beach in Croatia, they knew their lives were about to change. “We fell for each other straight away,” Krishna says. Five years into their relationship, they planned an epic trip to Iceland to celebrate their anniversary. “I’ve always wanted to go there,” Krishna says. “On the second day, Phil arranged for us to visit the Blue Lagoon at sunrise. He booked a private spa area, and with no one else around, he got down on one knee after carrying the ring around in his robe!” Back in the UK, the loved-up pair started planning their dream wedding, which they knew would have a classic country vibe, and would be in the West Country where they both grew up. They soon settled on Pennard House as the setting, and booked the date for 28 th September, 2019. We caught up with Krishna to get the lowdown… THE PERFECT SETTING The couple were keen to find a venue where they could host their whole day in one place, as well as somewhere they could bring their own wine from the father-of-the-bride’s wine merchant business. “We wanted our wedding to have a traditional feel, but with the freedom to make it our own,” Krishna explains. “Pennard House offered exactly that. A beautiful former family home in the heart of the Somerset countryside. We looked around on a wet November day and fell in love with the place.” The team at the venue made Krishna and Phil feel so welcome, and the beautiful accommodation and stunning bridal suite sealed the deal. PUTTING THEIR STAMP ON Their classic country theme and soft palette was reflected throughout the day. “It was important for my flowers to represent the season,” Krishna tells us. “Being the first week of autumn, our florist, Alice at Forage and Blossom, suggested we go for lots of roses and foliage. We chose a range of neutral tones, which were slightly warmer and dusky to fit the time of year.” The florals tied in beautifully with some handmade rose petal paper from India – Krishna’s grandad who sadly passed away was Indian – which the couple used for invitations, menus and table names. “Our mums also spent the year drying out roses for confetti and to be scattered on the tables,” the bride says. “It gave the whole day a romantic feel with roses all around us.” Krishna envisioned a delicious, natural cake with pared-back decoration. “We had the most lovely consultation with Penny at Penny Bakes,” Krishna remembers. “She helped us refine our ideas and we settled on a semi-naked cake with a salted caramel drip. This was then decorated with macarons, roses and blackberries to mirror the season. The first time we saw it, we were over the moon with the result!” For a special touch, they sat the cake on the wooden boxes that their wine and champagne came in. Krishna’s uncle made the place settings using 100 corks that the father-of-the-bride had collected through his wine business. Each table was named after places that the pair had visited together. “Our trips always seem to have a funny story attached,” Krishna laughs. “Phil created cards to go on each table with a picture of the place and a little story of what we did there.” Guests were treated to an array of delicious seasonal jams and chutneys made by Phil’s mum as favours. Hand-tied labels on each jar read ‘Spread the love.’ Continuing the rose petal and wine theme, magnum wine bottles were dotted around the space with tall flickering candles and rose petals scattered around them. “My friend works for Elemis and gave us some candles,” Krishna explains. “The gorgeous scent carried around the venue.” As a nod to the bride’s heritage, they chose Indian food for their wedding breakfast. “Caroline Gent Catering were amazing,” Krishna says. “We had three delicious courses and chose sharing bowls for the main; it was a lovely relaxed way for everyone to eat as much as they wanted. This was followed by a classic English dessert of Eton mess with seasonal fruit. The food was locally sourced, which was important to us as we tried to use South West suppliers wherever we could.” Of course, everything was washed down with wonderful wine and champagne supplied by the bride’s father. 