CARLIE & MARK
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HOW DID THE PROPOSAL HAPPEN?
We were sat watching the stars in the Dominican Republic after a moonlit walk along the beach when Mark plucked up the courage to ask. I was completely in shock.
THE DRESS
I found my dress at Bridal Wish, the fifth and final boutique I visited. It was by Justin Alexander, covered in lace and finished with a satin bow wrapped around the waist, giving me the classic look I wanted and a perfect silhouette. The lace pattern looked like roses, one of my favourite flowers, and gave it the vintage feel I was hoping for. The circular cut ball gown shape was new to me, but it fitted my body shape beautifully with the bateau neckline and cap sleeves.
THE ACCESSORIES
I chose a flower crown instead of a veil because I didn’t want to hide the satin buttons up the back of the dress. I used old photographs as guidance to make sure the crown matched my vintage theme.
THE GROOM
Mark wore a navy blue suit and waistcoat from Next with an antique gold tie to match the bridesmaid dresses. He also wore gold cricket bat and ball cufflinks which I gifted to him for our wedding as he is a big cricket fan and player. He gave me a cheeky wink when I stood next to him and looked really handsome.
THE BRIDESMAIDS
My gorgeous girls wore dresses by Jenny Packham, one of my favourite designers, in a neutral gold which really enhanced the gold bead and sequin embellishments. The 3⁄4-length sleeves and V-back made the gowns timeless and elegant.
FAVOURITE PART OF THE CEREMONY
Everyone thought I would be late for the ceremony – even the vicar joked that if I kept them waiting for more than 20 minutes he would go home. I was actually five minutes early, so I had the chance to chat to my dad and bridesmaids outside and prove everybody wrong!
INSPIRATION
Our wedding theme was inspired by vintage glamour with a rustic edge. We teamed blush pink and pastels with gold to achieve the look.
WEDDING STATIONERY
We got our wedding invitations from Love Wedding Print. For the save the date cards, table plans and menu One Sign and Digital turned my dreams into reality after I couldn’t find an exact match for my ideas online.
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RECEPTION DECORATION
As a pharmacist, I love old apothecary jars so Wild and Wonderful Flowers created centrepieces using dusty pink, cream and mauve roses and hydrangeas in the jars. I also love twinkly lights so candles were a must and created a cosy feel. We also had a post box for cards and decorated the hall with gypsophila.
WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR YOUR WEDDING BREAKFAST?
We served Mark’s mojitos and Carlie’s cherry blossom cocktails from drinks dispensers alongside beers and Prosseco for drinks. For our wedding breakfast, we had tomato and basil soup with garlic focaccia to start, followed by Teesdale fillet of beef and sticky toffee pudding served with vanilla parfait for dessert.
THE CAKE
Dawn at The Master Cakesmith created us a dessert table of seven different flavour cakes. The flower decorations matched my bouquet and the sequin cake was designed to match the bridesmaid dresses. They were even more beautiful than I imagined!
BEST IDEAS
I made the favours myself using individual craft boxes, doilies, pegs and luggage tags with the guest’s name on. Inside was some traditional fudge.
THE FIRST DANCE
We chose ‘Make it to me’ by Sam Smith. It’s a song about making it to see each other, which means a lot to Mark and I as we spent two years long distance, commuting to see each other.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
We hired Anita from Harping On for the drinks reception and danced the night away to the band Colour Blue in the evening. The venue said they had never seen the dance floor so full!
TOP TIPS
If you’re a bride in two minds, hire a makeup artist, even if you’re good at makeup yourself. That way you can relax on the morning of your wedding and don’t need to dread a last-minute makeup disaster!
THE HONEYMOON
We took a minimoon to Las Vegas, enjoying the shows and exploring the Grand Canyon, before visiting Mexico for a relaxing honeymoon a few months later.
CEREMONY Holy Trinity Church, Pelton | RECEPTION VENUE Lartington Hall | DRESS Justin Alexander at Bridal Wish | BRIDESMAID DRESS Jenny Packham | GROOM Next | STATIONERY Love Wedding Print and One Sign And Digital | FlOWERS Wild and Wonderful Flowers | CAKE Dawn at The Master Cakesmith ENTERTAINMENT Harping On | PHOTOGRAPHER Emily Hannah
