Your Surrey Wedding - Apr/May 2019 (Issue 76)

REAL WEDDINGS 53  A lexandra Burleigh met Harrison Miller at school. “Harry was in my sister’s year,” shares Alexandra. “There was nothing romantic at this point as he was a young teen and I was the typical annoying younger sister! But then 15 years later, completely by chance, we bumped into each other at a pub in Kingston upon Thames on Valentine’s Day (cliché I know) and spent hours talking, reminiscing and catching up.” A few meetings later Alexandra realised she had romantic feelings for Harry when she went to his flat and he had bought her favourite type of tea! A relationship blossomed, and after three years Harry proposed to Alex over her favourite board game on a rainy Sunday evening. “I had planned a trip away to Scotland for her birthday and wanted to make a grand gesture of it, however Alex sensed something was up when she saw me talking to her mum over text message,” shares Harry. “It was my attempt at asking her parents’ permission! Rather than wait a few weeks until our trip, I did it there and then. Alex was completely surprised, there were tears from both of us!” The happy pair set the big date for Saturday, 18 th August, 2018, with Nutfield Priory Hotel and Westmead Events in Redhill, Surrey, setting the scene. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Westmead Events was a blank canvas surrounded by stunning land, not far from where the couple live in Surrey. “Out in the beauty and wilderness of Redhill, was this perfect place where we could let loose and have fun,” says Alex. “It was picturesque, there was a lake, an orchard and enough room for us to do whatever we wanted. We could not get legally married at this venue, but luckily for us there was the equally stunning Nutfield Priory Hotel just down the road. “We loved the contrast of formal meets outdoors, and how our guests could experience two settings in one day. This proved to be valuable with our photographer, as he was able to capture such a wide variety of shots within the two settings.” The theme was outdoors and nature and the finer details of the day reflected that. The favours were little jars of honey, produced locally in Molesey by their friends who keep bees. “I will never forget writing out 135 personalised tags to go on each pot, with bee-themed puns!” shares Alex. “For the centrepieces, the couple didn’t want anything to go to waste so opted for simple glass jars which were collected from people in their local community. These were filled with white gravel, soil and a variety of herbs which guests could take home. The table plan was very simple, cards draped elegantly from a copper frame that Harry built, which was also their altar for their blessing by the lake. “Our cake was a stunning, simple creation,” recalls Alex. “The lower tier had grey marble-effect icing and the top tier was hand-painted water colours in a variety of greens. Our topper was a handmade wooden piece, with a Star Wars quote and figurines! Harry is a huge fan of the films, so we had to have little touches throughout. I think me walking down the aisle to the theme song was a lovely surprise for Harry.” A wonderful touch was all the hand- written place names, beautifully done by the bride’s father; chalk pen was used to write on leaves from their garden. “I especially loved the pompom garlands I made, with lots of help from a dear friend. She helped me create a vision I loved, and the variety of pastel colours really tied in with the day.” THE BRIDE WORE WHITE Alex wore a dress by award-winning Eliza Jane Howell, from Gillian Million in Teddington. “I had no real idea of what I WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE? Alexandra and Harrison showed their love of the outdoors on their special day Images courtesy of Colin D Miller