Hannah and Matt
It had been 4 years since Matt met the love of his life, Hannah on a night out in Nottingham. The couple had journeyed to Croatia for a romantic holiday in the sun, and as the sun began to set one early evening, Hannah looked out contently in to the sea as the orange sunbeams danced on top of the water. When she turned back to Matt, her breath was taken away and her heart skipped a beat as her eyes fell upon her prince charming down on one knee. A smile spread from ear to ear, Matt asked for her hand in marriage, and Hannah gleefully agreed to spend the rest of her life with him.
After much planning, excitement and preparations, the moment arrived when Matt and Hannah tied the knot in Donington Park Farmhouse, Castle Donington. This rustic venue was dressed in neutral shades and décor, in keeping with the theme. Matt looked handsome in his 3-piece fitted suit from Ted Baker in Navy. With intricate detailing on the suit including horn buttons and subtle berry coloured stitching on the button and collar which elevated it beyond a normal suit, Matt was dressed to the nines and unbelievably excited to see his fiancé. When the music softened and the whisper of the guests fell silent, Matts heart began racing as Hannah appeared at the bottom of the aisle. All heads turned and gasps of awe rose from the guests as they ogled the beautiful bride. Wearing Lusan Mandongus, with a stunning sweetheart neckline and lace embellishment, Hannah looked magnificent. Her hair was designed in a stunning up do featuring a front plait perfectly tucked underneath a full-length veil with beautiful lace scallop edges. When she met her husband-to-be at the top of the aisle she smiled calmly at Matt whose nerves were immediately relieved. The couple said their “I do’s” in front of their loved ones before partying the night away together.
How did you choose the style of your wedding shoes?
I wanted the shoes to be something fun and that I would wear again. I also wanted stiletto heels as Matt is 6 ft 2, and I’m 5 ft 2, so I needed the height! I went for a gorgeous pair of blush pink suede stiletto’s with a pom pom detail (sound strange – but they were fab!)
Did you have a dress budget, and did you stick to it?
My budget was no more than £1500 and yes I stuck to it
How did you choose the style of your hair?
Arrrrgh with great difficulty and right up to the last minute I was umming and ahhhing over whether to have it up or down. In the end, I went for an up do… a loose/messy bun off to the side pulled back from a large plait. I felt like this worked with the strapless dress, but I still do wonder if it would have been better with it down. maybe I should have done both … day & night! But too late now!
Where was the honeymoon?
We spent a week in morocco straight after the wedding, but are planning an Italian road trip for later this year
What was your favourite moment of your wedding?
Oooh that’s tricky, so many! I loved my Dads speech, it was really short but heartfelt. I also loved Matt’s speech, although my mum heckled him!! Really, it was just spending it with all the people that we loved… It was such a happy day and I just remember smiling and laughing so much!
How and why did you select your florist?
Our florist was Michelle Gledhill, and I fell in love with her flowers from her Instagram and web page. Her approach to flowers was exactly what I was after. She described her style on her website as “natural and unstructured, not too fussy and just a little bit rambling…the way flowers should be! I like the flowers to speak for themselves without forcing them into unnatural, symmetrical designs”. Michelle was so helpful, and the flowers were beautiful and exactly what I wanted. I can’t recommend her enough.
What was your favourite flower in your bouquet?
My favourite element of my flowers was the eucalyptus. It was the main thing I wanted, and a focal point of the arrangements
Were you nervous the night before your wedding, if so, how did you overcome the nerves?
Yes, but not as much as I expected to be. I spent the night before the wedding with my 2 sisters and my niece (who were also my bridesmaids) and we stayed at the venue. It was lovely just chatting and laughing, and really helped me to relax.
Do you have any top tips on how to get the most out of your photographer?
I think finding a photographer that meets what you both want from your pictures is important. Matt and I really wanted natural, candid shots and we went with Jenny Macare. Jenny was amazing. Both of us hate having our pictures taken but Jenny was great at putting us at ease and it helped having the pre-wedding shoot to help get you used to the process. The one thing I would say is really think about shots that you want from the day and any in particular people that you really want pictures of. In hindsight, I assumed that I would naturally have shots of me and just my mum or me and just my dad for example… and that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t Jenny’s fault, that was mine for not stating exactly what shots (or specific people) I wanted to capture. In general, though we love the pictures… They capture the day (and night!) really well. There’s just a couple that I don’t have which I wish I did… so make sure you think about that & are clear with your photographer beforehand!
If you could go back to the planning stage of your wedding, what would you do differently and why?
Nothing
What is the best piece of advice you could offer another bride?
I think try and stay are relaxed as possible as otherwise you just won’t enjoy it. It can get overwhelming at times but you need someone close to you (sister/best friend for example) who can give you a reality check. Don’t sweat the small stuff…and at the end of the day if everything doesn’t go exactly to plan on the day just enjoy it and carry on… no one else will know!
How did you choose your suppliers?
Through internet research, and speaking to them/ meeting them face to face.
hat are you most looking forward too about married life?
Just general day to day life, particularly now that the wedding planning is over!!
Suppliers:
Photographer – Jenny Macare
Venue – Donington Park Farmhouse
Caterer – Donington Park Farmhouse
Wedding Cake – Made by talented sister Dawn Benson
Venue Stylist – N/A
Band – New York Royals
Bridesmaids attire – ASOS