Your Sussex Wedding - Jun/Jul 2019 (Issue 79)

REAL WEDDINGS 43  M egan and Adam met online, when Megan broke the ice and kicked off the conversation after instantly feeling drawn to his photos. The pair spent five hours chatting on the phone before meeting for the first time over dinner. Megan says, “We couldn’t believe how, after just a few weeks, we knew we were soulmates.” The couple had planned a day trip to London to celebrate Megan’s birthday, and as they were readying to leave, Adam presented her with a gift. She opened it up to find a sunglasses case. Megan explains, “I’d lost my favourite and very expensive sunglasses on a camping holiday, only to find later that a cow had trodden on them! Adam had sent them back to America for repair and bought a new case. I was so happy, especially when I opened it to find an engagement ring sat there, which Adam had gotten especially made!” St. Mary’s Church, Slindon, meant a lot to Megan as she was christened there, and her parents, aunt and uncle and cousin were all married there. So the church was selected as the venue for the vows, with celebrations later at the bride’s grandparents’ house, home to many a happy childhood memory. The pair tied the knot on 18 th August, 2018. Here the bride shares more happy memories of the big day… SETTING THE SCENE The couple chose not to go for a traditional seating plan, as they wanted to have their friends sitting with them at the top table, allowing their family to sit with their own friends. The tables were named 1963 for the year Adam’s grandparents were married, 1964 for the year Megan’s grandparents were wed, 1991 for the year the newlyweds were born and 2018 for the year of their wedding day. Floral centrepieces in jars and chutney made from ingredients from Megan’s grandparents’ vegetable plot labeled “spread the love” decorated the tables. The delicious big-day bake was flavoured with lemon, filled with lemon curd buttercream and embellished with chocolate shards, macarons, nuts and fresh flowers. The overall vision for the marquee was for it to feel like a summer garden. Megan explains, “We love the countryside so much. We had trees on both poles of the marquee and decorated large hoops with ivy and hanging origami birds. Adam and his dad built an amazing bench for the day, and we placed big wooden LOVE letters either side.” Furthering the day’s relaxed vibe, the newlyweds arrived in style in a convertible cream beetle and dined on a deluxe barbecue. LOOKING THE PART The bride wore Seville by Claire Pettibone with platinum-hued lining and tassels. Megan says, “I’d seen the designer’s dresses on Instagram and adored MAGIC MOMENTS Megan and Adam styled their day in cream with a dramatic hint of deep red Images courtesy of Adôrlee Photography