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

REAL WEDDINGS 59  H arriet met Jonathan in modern fashion on a dating app! Initially, it was mutual attraction they both had but obviously a friendship and romance blossomed too. Two years later Jon Proposed to Harriet on 29 th December, 2016 at Woking Theatre Christmas Pantomime. Harriet recalls, “At the end of the show the actor on stage said ‘there’s a man in the audience that would like to ask his girlfriend something’ all of a sudden a spotlight was placed upon Jon and I. That’s when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him – in front of a theatre full of people! It was a total surprise. Jon chose the theatre to propose as the venue is significant to us, we love visiting and our first date was a trip to London to watch The Bodyguard.” The wedding date was set 1 st November, 2018, with Botleys Mansion, Surrey, setting the scene. PRE-SHOW Living locally to Botleys Mansion, it was always a place that Harriet had looked at as a dream wedding venue. “I loved its elegance and grandeur, nothing compared, Jon and I both got emotional when we were both shown around imagining all of our loved ones sitting and watching us walk down the large staircase to the atrium as we were announced husband and wife for the first time.” It was the exclusive-use option and accommodation for guests with breakfast next morning that sealed the deal. “This made our day feel more intimate and private. As soon as you drive through the entrance gates it’s awe-inspiring. From passing the fountain and the sweeping stone staircase, to entering the front door and seeing the glittering chandelier, every detail is breathtaking.” The couple’s chosen colour palette was reflected throughout the finer details of the day. The favours were made by The Chocolate Workshop and were individual life-size golden chocolate clothes pegs made for all the guests in honour of their newly married name. The stationery, from the invites to the place names were made by Angel’s Creations, and all were a simple, classy design with gold foiled font and small Swarovski crystal elements. The company also designed the couple’s wedding monogram which was also used on the cake design to tie everything together nicely. The big-day bake was six tiers of three different flavours; chocolate with salted caramel, carrot cake and lemon drizzle cake. “We designed it with the help of Emma from Gifted Heart Cakes. We had a thorough consultation with her, speaking to her about what we were looking to achieve. The overall design was very regal, with a mixture of white matte and lustre icing, there were white edible lace trims, and sugar flowers to match and incorporate the flowers used on our day.” Flowers were a very important part of the wedding, Harriet wanted the venue to smell amazing, filling large spaces with beautiful flowers – romantic and dream-like was the brief. “We used the staircase as a centrepiece for photos so decorated it in blooms, predominantly roses and hydrangea in white and ivory. “Our ceremony room was decorated with rose petals scattered down both sides of the aisle leading to a very large flower wall - this later worked as a backdrop for taking photos. When Jon and I exited the ceremony room, guests threw real rose petals as confetti on our way out.” The bridal bouquet was made up of roses, Avalanche, David Austin Patience roses, blush O’Hara and cream spray roses among others for an opulent look.” COSTUME CHANGE The leading lady wore a Galia Lahav gown from Browns Bride London which was completely different to what she had in mind. “It sounds cliché when people say, ‘you will know when you find your dream dress’ however it’s true. As soon as I put the dress on I was in love and so excited to walk down the