WHERE: Welford Hill Farm, near Stratford-Upon-Avon
WHEN: June 2007
PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter Blanchflower
How they met
Bethany and Thomas went to school together and, later on, found themselves working in the same vineyard. Thomas surprised Bethany with a romantic winter proposal, in a country lane near to their houses.
The bride’s real wedding outfit
Bethany’s gown was made by a family friend to ensure she got exactly the style she wanted. “It was satin with an embroidery overlay,” Bethany says. In keeping with the outdoor setting and ‘country garden wedding’ style, Bethany kept accessories to a minimum and set off her gorgeous, wavy hair with a single floral flourish.
“Write down special moments – you’ll want to remember the day as much as you can!”
The groom’s outfit
Thomas opted for a sharp charcoal grey suit with dark blue stripes from Aquascutum, bought at John Lewis. The high street is a fabulous place for your groom to find a suit he can wear again.
The bridesmaids
Bethany had one bridesmaid for her real wedding, who wore a gorgeous Fenn Wright Manson dress, a label also available at John Lewis. In keeping with the country palette, the pretty, A-line gown was a strapless brown and pink number, accessorised with a pink pashmina and wrist corsage.
The flowers
Bethany’s brother – in-law, Sam, created gorgeous floral decorations with Avalanche roses, freesias and gerberas.
The ceremony
Bethany and Thomas had a beautiful outdoor real wedding ceremony. “My brother – in-law walked me down the aisle to Borodin String Quartet Number Two,” Bethany says. Other family members were equally involved. “My mum and sister said prayers for us, my mother-in-law read a sonnet, my sister-in-law read a book extract and my other sister did a reading”
The reception
Alongside the stunning floral arrangements were hurricane lamps and country-style pots. After the ceremony, guests moved to a marquee in Bethany’s mother’s garden. The wedding breakfast was a pig roast – barbecues and roasts are a fantastic, inexpensive food option if you’re catering for lots of people, especially if your reception is at home.
“”We’re thrilled with the pictures – they are a lovely memento of our really special, personal day”.
The cake
A family friend made the delectable chocolate cake, which was decorated with pink roses.
The music
Music and atmosphere was provided by a Ceilidh band, Kindred Spirit. Bethany and Thomas had their first dance with the band, before the other guests took to the dancefloor.
Special Moment
“Dancing the Ceilidh with my new husband,” says Bethany.
The honeymoon
After the real wedding the couple spent a night at Walton Hall, then headed of to sun themselves in Port de Soller, Mallorca.
