locally-sourced produce really excited us and the menu on the day was divine!” The wedding breakfast began with Burrata and Nutbourne tomatoes, followed by the main course where a cannon of lamb took centre stage (the vegetarian alternative was Romesco aubergine). The meal was finished with a sharing platter of desserts served in the Blue Room overlooking the Downs. “We’re obsessed with ice cream and plan most our holidays around where the next helping is coming from!” Lydia says. “So, we chose to have ice cream served at our evening reception. Delicious Dreams decorated their tricycle beautifully to match our colour palette, and we had great fun choosing the flavours.” LOOKING THE PART The bride wore Elcira by Pronovias in champagne. It was completely different in style to what she’d imagined but tried it after choosing Slindon House and imagined the trailing skirt on the Downs – she knew it was the one. Damien looked dapper in a custom-made suit from Beggar’s Run in bottle green and accessorised with a blush pink tie to complement the pink in the bouquets. His groomsmen wore stone-coloured suits with bottle green ties and pocket squares to match Damien’s. Lydia’s bridesmaids wore beautiful silky green dresses – Brooklyn. Some were in forest green with the others in sage. The adorable flower girls meanwhile wore white dresses embellished with a white silky bow. “The time alone together that we’d intentionally carved out during the day formed some of our most precious memories.” CELEBRATE IN STYLE South Downs Strings played for guests before the ceremony, during it and also for the drinks reception, and Lydia received plenty of compliments on how beautiful the music was. “Their rendition of Hoppipola by Sigur Ros for the entrance of the bridal party was so magical,” Lydia remembers. After the main course the Secret Singers surprised guests with a fantastic set list, which got everyone up dancing and singing along. “This was one of our favourite parts of the day,” says Lydia. MEMORABLE MOMENTS “We both felt over the moon to be married and surrounded by our loved ones; the joy and support in the room was palpable. It really was the best day of our lives,” Lydia shares. “The ceremony was so special. The readings from my mum and our best friend Emily were wonderful, and it was special to share our personal vows with one another in the presence of our loved ones. “We both found that walking into the wedding breakfast was a highlight. Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac was playing and our loved ones were jumping, dancing and waving their napkins in the air. It felt so joyful and magical. Our best friends Reece and Ethan were our masters of ceremony and did a fantastic job introducing us. “Catherine and Andy from White Stag Photography, and Amber our videographer were the loveliest people, we couldn’t have chosen better to document our day. It really felt like we were spending time with good friends and that put us at ease throughout. Catherine in particular was a lovely presence for me in the morning, soothing last-minute nerves and sharing stories.” REAL WEDDING 33
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