Rebecca met Craig on a dating app. “We had our first date at a coffee shop and instantly clicked, chatting for ages nursing our now-freezing cold drinks,” says Rebecca. “We were talking for so long that we didn’t realise the shop had closed an hour earlier – and the staff were too polite to tell us to leave!” Craig originally ordered Rebecca’s engagement ring at the end of February 2020, with the plan to propose in front of friends and family in Reading, where they’d first met. “Covid had other ideas, with government restrictions delaying production of the ring and stopping large gatherings,” continues the bride. “Instead, he popped the question on holiday in Turkey, where we’d hired a villa with family for two weeks. On the day, he taught his twin brother how to use his camera, instructing him to hide around a corner and get ready for ‘the moment’. Then, just as the sun started to set, our families slowly disappeared into the villa; hiding on the balcony to watch. Craig led me to the side of the pool and got down on one knee, asking, ‘Will you let me annoy you for the rest of our lives?’. Obviously, I said yes!” The couple set the date for 8 April 2023, choosing The Oakwood at Ryther for their big day. Here, Rebecca tells us more about their wedding… ROOM TO MANOEUVRE The couple first visited The Oakwood at Ryther in April 2021 and were instantly drawn to how much space the venue has. “We loved the exposed beams in the ceremony area, the size of the reception barn along with its mezzanine level, and the amount of light it had,” says Rebecca. “The venue was decorated to an extent when we visited, but it was clear that it didn’t need much as it was so beautiful already. All in all, we loved the simplicity and elegance of the space that also allowed us to put our own twist on it.” Another huge bonus came in the form of the venue’s on-site accommodation. “This meant that close family and friends were able to stay the night before, as well as on the day of the wedding,” continues the bride. “We had a lovely little celebration on the first night, hiring a pizza van to cater for us all. It was such a nice way to build up to the wedding weekend, and also meant that different members of the party got to know each other beforehand.” IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS Rebecca and Craig wanted their wedding to reflect them both, so Craig chose a London Underground-themed table plan to represent his East London roots. “We recreated the tube map, with each table named after a different line, but with a hint of the eucalyptus print on our wedding stationary, tying everything together,” says Rebecca. “We used menus as place settings, folded into the napkins to show the name at the top. Decorated with the same motifs that were on our save the dates, invites, and all signage at the wedding; they featured a blend of eucalyptus leaves and white and blush roses.” When it came to the actual flowers, the couple decided on all silk. “This was more friendly for the environment, my allergies – and our bank account!” laughs the bride. “Our florist, Anne, understood our vision of a rustic theme, and made sure that none of the arrangements were too polished or perfect. She added green foliage to complement our colour scheme, and recommended a mix of cream, blush and purple flowers. She 33 REAL WEDDINGS
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