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

60 aisle. It was a two-piece with a ball gown-style skirt, both parts made of a very delicate French Chantilly lace which is embroidered in beads in very light blush combined with a light ivory lace. The dress has an inner corset top, front split, sheer skirt and is covered by another dramatic sheer skirt. I wore the princess skirt until the first dance then for the party took the top skirt off. I also wore light ivory satin Christian Louboutin heels in nude tulle sprinkled with Swarovski crystals.” The bridal party comprised of one bridesmaid and a flowergirl. “I designed the flowergirl dress and had it made in pale ivory in the same material as the bridesmaid dress with a large matching bow to complete it.” The leading man, Jon, looked dapper in a bespoke dinner suit in French navy, while the groomsmen also wore French blue suits with bow ties however the groom designed his own. His jacket featured black lapels and the trousers a black tape down the sides. Stiched inside the jacket was the couple’s initials and wedding date. Jon also wore Christian Louboutin’s which were in black patent with tassels on the front. ACT 1 “For Jon and me, we thought it was important that our guests did not get bored throughout the day,” shares Harriet. “Weddings are a long day and if there’s not much going on the atmosphere can get lost. “We’d seen Stephen Cornwell on The Voice and loved his style and we approached him to ask if he would perform on our wedding day which he was more than happy to. He played acoustic guitar as the guests arrived, as I walked down the aisle and throughout the drinks reception. He then later sang for our first dance, James Arthur Say You Won’t Let Go . We also had a magician that performed during the drinks reception, wedding breakfast and stayed into the evening so that our evening guests could enjoy the magic, we had a lot of loved ones saying he was the best magician they’d ever seen.” For the evening entertainment, an electric violinist called Nino – who recently got through to the semi finals of Britain’s Got Talent – performed. Nino managed to get everyone up on the dancefloor with his Ibiza classics. To end the night with a bang there was a large firework display!” ENCORE “Jon and I felt a mixture of emotion, nerves and excitement throughout the day,” recalls Harriet. “I especially felt nervous when arriving at the venue and getting ready with my mum Debbie and sister Florence. They did an amazing job of calming my nerves. Jon’s groomsmen also did a great job of looking after Jon on the morning! “For me, walking down the aisle with my grandad towards Jon stood out for me the most. The nerves leading up to that point, then the excitement of going through the door to all our loved ones smiling as I walked in – it felt like I was in a dream. And then seeing Jon at the alter, was the best feeling.” CURTAIN CALL “The staff at Botleys Mansion were amazing and very attentive making sure our day went smoothly. They were constantly making sure that we were both ok, topping up our champagne glasses, making sure we were given canapés, making us feel at ease. We couldn’t have done it without all their help and guidance on the day. All the speeches were very special and so meaningful. My brother took the responsibility of doing the father-of-the-bride speech; his first public speaking experience and I couldn’t have been more proud. The speech of the best men was very funny and even included a home video of Jon as a young boy. Jon’s was funny, thoughtful and emotional. Part of it was giving me a gift in front of our guests which was a personalised number plate with my new surname on. My hairdresser and make-up artist did the best job of looking after my mum, sister and me on the morning of the wedding. They made us feel at ease which helped calm us all down.”