together with blue ribbon, before adding each person’s name to the front. Simple, but effective. The tables were seemingly numbered randomly, but they actually signified something for Jo and Jonah as a couple. For example, 16 was the day of their first date, and 14 was the number of pets they’ve had together. The three-tier big day bake featured one layer of chocolate (Jasmine’s favourite), one of lemon (Jonah’s favourite), and one of coffee (Jo’s favourite). It was decorated with white fondant icing and Willow Tree figurines to represent their little family, including their four cats. Finally, the florist provided some flowers to complete the showstopper. LOOKING THE PART Jo had been dreaming of a big princess ballgown since she was six years old, so she knew exactly what she was looking for, and found Wesley by Maggie Sottero in blush. The bodice was covered in hundreds of pearls and Swarovski crystals and it was only the fourth dress the bride tried on. “I never doubted my choice,” she remembers. “When you know, you know.” Jonah had his suit custom made. “So much is centred around the bride’s dress, but he deserved to feel amazing too,” Jo says. The pair visited a specialist tailor and the groom was able to choose every aspect of this suit, from the style and fabric right down to the angle of the pockets and colour of the stitching. “There were 84 options for the lining alone!” Jo remembers. He also had “You and Me” embroidered underneath the collar as this is something the two have always said to each other. The groomsmen were dressed in blue suits with burgundy ties that matched Jonah’s suit. Meanwhile, the bride tribe all wore dresses of their own choosing. “I wanted my bridesmaids to look and feel beautiful,” Jo says. “ I knew I wouldn’t be able to find something that everyone loved and felt totally comfortable in, so I asked them all to pick their own. I just asked that they be floor-length and any shade of blue. In the end, I think they did a better job than I ever could have!” TIME TO CELEBRATE Weddings are long days, so Jo and Jonah were keen that their loved ones should have plenty to keep them occupied. A singer and pianist played as guests arrived, which set the scene beautifully. Then, during the canapés and photos a singer/ guitarist entertained all assembled. The newlyweds knew him to be a hit as two other couples asked for his details for their own weddings! Five white space hoppers and two giant Jengas were laid out on the lawn for everyone to enjoy throughout the day, and the venue’s games room proved popular with those who didn’t want to dance. In the evening, a live band filled the dancefloor, but when feet tired, there was plenty else to do. A candy cart, photo booth and close-up magician were also on hand. “The reams of pictures we got back from the photo booth told us it was a hit, and plenty of people told us afterwards how much they enjoyed the magic. It was great to see their amazement captured on camera when we got our pictures back.” “I could go on about our suppliers forever. We chose carefully and they really did make the day perfect. We can’t decide who we’re most grateful to!” – Jo 33 REAL WEDDINGS
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