Yorkshire born ACP nurse Katie met Neil whilst he was posted in Catterick with the military. Just six months after them meeting he was posted to Northern Ireland. Proving long distance can work, their romance went from strength to strength. Katie tells us, “We met through mutual friends and for me, it was love at first sight.” Romance flourished and Neil eventually proposed on holiday in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Katie recalls the story that they could have been engaged earlier in the year but Neil forgot to pack the ring! “Neil had just returned from Afghanistan and we had booked a luxury holiday to Mexico. I was sure this is where he was going to propose. On the last night, we had a special 12-course meal booked – I thought this is it – but it never happened. I couldn’t believe it! I later found out once we were engaged that he’d forgotten to pack the ring!” WEDDING PLANNING Having looked at numerous wedding venues, the couple kept coming away disappointed. However, there was something special about Grantley Hall, as Katie explains. “I was researching all these venues and kept thinking, there must be one. We were in the car having visited yet another venue and passed the entrance to Grantley Hall; I said, ‘Neil you have to drive in, this is it!’ He was obviously dubious asking how I could tell from a set of gates but I could just feel it. We pulled up in a dusty car park and I rang the venue. A lady called Sarah answered and she explained to me it was still a building site and that she couldn’t let us in unless we wore a hard hat and high-vis vest. I replied, ‘I’m game if you are!’ Sarah talked us through the vision and showed me the plans and I was in love with it before it was even built. The Japanese garden was ready and I was blown away by its calmness and beauty. The entrance is so grand – it really is the venue of dreams. It’s like a fairytale.” Following numerous health scares and hospital appointments, and having to rearrange the wedding due to Covid, the couple couldn’t quite believe the day was finally happening. “It was absolutely incredible,” shares Katie. “It had been a tough 18 months. I think seeing me walk down the aisle happy and healthy made some people very emotional. When I got to the end of the aisle and Neil held my hand I knew he was proud of me.” SETTING THE SCENE Katie ensured she covered every small detail when looking after their guests. “We had flip flops for the guests in a basket labelled ‘a little treat for your dancing feet’ as well as sunglasses labelled ‘don’t be blinded by our love!’ There was also hand gel, fans and umbrellas for shade. We had a beautiful sweet cart and a huge doughnut wall. We also had little shots on the table saying ‘we tied the knot please take a shot’.” Sweet Brothers Events assisted with the décor. Katie tells us, “For the centrepieces I had huge blossom trees. My flowers, from Mae Dae really made me emotional. My bouquets were made of orchids and white roses. Along the aisle on the outside, I had eight perspex pillars with large floral arrangements on them matching my bouquet, and at the end of the aisle a very full and beautiful moongate.” The pair really went to town with their entertainment, from well-known magician Matthew Magic to singing waiters, plus fire eaters and a showgirl from TF Productions. The music continued throughout the day with soul band Ear Candy and the couple ended the celebrations with the private hire of Grantley Hall’s champagne and cocktail bar, Valerias. LOOKING THE PART The bride really wanted a memorable dress, something different to what the guests would have expected from her usual style and this is exactly what she achieved. “My Dress was a Milla Nova dress I bought from the Wedding Dress Club London” Katie reveals. “It was made in Barcelona and shipped over. Everyone thought I’d go for a fishtail-design but I wanted something regal but modern. It had a sharp square neckline, and the entire gown was covered in sequins with very fine floral stitching. I was actually one of the first brides in the UK to wear this dress because I was lucky enough to try it on during Milla Nova’s trunk show in London REAL WEDDINGS 29
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