How they met
“When we first exchanged numbers, I liked it that he always called me instead of using text messages,” remembers Liz. “However, because of work commitments we weren’t able to meet up for ages, so we would end up chatting on the phone every night for hours. Before we’d even been on our first date, I knew we were going to have something special,” she smiles
The proposal
Rob popped the question during a rain-soaked Champagne picnic on Dartmoor tor during the summer. “I was completely shocked,” remembers Liz. “I was also so pleased that Rob asked both my dad’s and my brother’s permission, because sadly my dad passed away a few weeks later.”
The bride’s outfit
Blushing bride Liz looks chic and sophisticated in her Champagne and lace Maggie Sottero gown. “On the day I just felt so overwhelmed with excitement, I wanted the time to fly by so I could see Rob at the end of the aisle,” beams Liz. Our bride kept her jewellery simple, with pearl drop earrings and a bracelet – a gift from Rob. Her shoes were from Coast
The groom’s outfit
Groom Rob looked very dashing in his classic grey suit from high street favourites Marks and Spencer. “He looked gorgeous, of course,” beams Liz. “He chose his entire outfit himself, too.”
The bridesmaids
Liz was accompanied down the aisle by four bridesmaids – her two best friends, Kate and Lisa, her little sister, Carly and her niece, Bethany. “I have lots of really close girl friends, so it was quite hard for me to decide, but the ones that I picked were fabulous, and helped to make the morning of the wedding fun and relaxed,” explains Liz. The girls wore amethyst coloured gowns by Wedding Ideas faves Ebony Rose
The ceremony
The couple’s civil ceremony took place in the ballroom at Maunsel House, and included a reading called Union by Robert Fulghum, given by one of their ushers. “For me, the best moment was definitely walking up to Rob and seeing the look on his face. He’s not the most romantic person, so seeing that look of love and pride is a moment that I will treasure forever,” smiles Liz
The flowers
Dinah Taylor from Inspiration Wedding Flowers was in charge of putting together Liz and Rob’s stunning floral features. Each of the table centres at the reception alternated between flowers and candelabra to give their party room height and variety
The stationery
Liz opted for flat-pack stationery from Imagine Doing It Yourself, which she put together at home with the help of her sister, Lucie. The wedding invitations were elegant pearlised cream cards with lace, ribbon and cameos as decorations
The theme
“We used inspiration from the Victorian era for our big day,” says Liz. “That meant pale and neutral colours, lots of lace and using cameos on all the decorative items and the cakes.”
The reception
“We absolutely loved Maunsel House,” explains Liz. “It has amazing secret gardens where peacocks and guinea fowl wander freely, and inside there are 13 grand bedrooms all connected by hidden rooms and secret passages! Plus every inch of the wall and floor space is covered with generations of collectables and family heirlooms – it’s quite a venue!”
The decor
Because of the eclectic nature of Maunsel House, the couple didn’t need to add too much in the way of decoration. But they did buy 50 grey and cream paper pom poms for the reception room, which they found at Deco Poms on Etsy. Pom poms draw the eye upwards and create a chic style statement on a budget.
The food
The couple chose lots of local Somerset food suppliers to feed their guests, including a cake of cheese and BBQ food from Pynes of Somerset, pies from Darts Farm and a traditional ice cream seller by Icicle Tricycle. For favours, the couple provided cake pops from Kiss and Bake Up
The honeymoon
Liz and Rob have yet to take their honeymoon, but they’ve planned the trip of a lifetime to Dubai and the Maldives next year.
Liz and Rob’s real-life wedding gallery
