Newlyweds, Zoe and Paul, had one of the most stunning weddings we have ever seen here at Wedding Ideas, and we’re sure you’ll agree…
Paul proposed to Zoe twice – first in a bar on new year’s eve 2012 with a joke store ring and secondly, properly, by writing ‘Will you marry me?’ in the snow, with champagne on standby! The couple met through Zoe’s brother and the first proper date was bowling (with cocktails). Their first holiday together was in Ibiza, involving sunsets, tapas and foam parties, which pretty much sums up this fun-loving couple’s relationship.
Zoe found her Galia Lahav dress in Brown’s Bride… It was actually the combination of two dresses – the top being a low, open-backed, lace trim swan-inspired body, and the skirt formed by layers of asymmetric voile. She wore stunning raspberry patent Jimmy Choo shoes which added a real wow factor to her whole look. The groom wore a black three-piece textured tuxedo from Topman Premium, teamed with a white shirt and black skinny tie.
The groomsmen wore suits from Debenhams with black waistcoats and gold ties. Three of the bridesmaids were Zoe’s sisters and two were Zoe’s best friends from college. The couple’s two nieces were flowergirls and three nephews were page boys. The bridesmaids wore a selection of dresses from department stores.
Buxted Park provided the perfect backdrop for this stunning wedding, where Zoe and Paul had an outdoor ceremony, with songs performed by their friends instead of readings. Zoe is a professional dancer, so you can imagine how brilliant their first dance was!
Zoe has worked with many talented performing artists over the years, so it was decided that instead of readings, they would have songs sung by their friends Ffion Emyr, Tom Parsons and Tim Matley, which was such a lovely part of the moving outdoor ceremony. Once inside, guests enjoyed a delicious menu that included pan fried breast of chicken and popcorn chocolate brownie.
The theme chosen for the wedding was romantic, enchanted garden, with gold, pink and white touches. The design team at Essential Couture worked closely with Zoe and Paul and florist Philippa Craddock, using gold sequin tablecloths, blossom trees as centrepieces, bird cages filled with flowers and tealights everywhere! The top table had an incredible archway of flowers and tealights. The stunning cake was topped with sugared white flowers edged in gold and had four tiers including jam and buttercream, chocolate ganache and lemon and passion fruit. Favours were delicious raspberry and gold chocolate flavoured macarons by Julien Plumart.
The speeches, by Zoe’s dad Michael, groom Paul and best man Bill were both touching and funny and soon it was time to party! The seven-piece band Soul Fiesta played Latin pop, old school dance and soul music and then a DJ from Wedding Smashers played the best of 90’s hip hop and garage music to see the evening out, and guests had an absolute ball! The first dance was a particular highlight, including a medley of songs, starting with Ed Sheeran’s Talk Out Loud. Half way through the fun started – Zoe had choreographed a surprise routine, as she had done for many couples for their own weddings beforehand. The full-on routine included Time of our Life from Dirty Dancing, (yes, with ‘that’ lift!) then Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love with her dancing friends, and finally the ushers and Paul’s routine to LMFAO’s Party Rockers, which drew everyone onto the dance floor. Zoe described the whole evening as “epic”, but the dance routine, which entailed teaching people with zero dance experience how to dance, made this a wedding to remember forever!
Suppliers
Venue: Buxted Park
Dress: Galia Lahav
Groom: Tuxedo from Topman
Flowers: Philippa Craddock
Stationery: Sweetheart Stationery
Honeymoon: Vietnam, Combodia and Malaysia
Photographer: Anna Fowler
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