Charlotte & Gareth
I felt like he was too good to be true! He was handsome, funny, down to earth and we shared the same values. The first time my mum met him she said “he’s the one you’re going to marry”.
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HOW DID THE PROPOSAL HAPPEN?
Gareth took me to Dubrovnik for my birthday and our first anniversary. We did wine tasting over dinner and then he proposed on the beach beside our hotel.
THE DRESS
I found my Essense of Australia dress in Prima Donna, Norwich. It was a strapless A-line shape with a sweetheart neckline, all covered in vintage lace and delicate beading. I loved the lace edging on the chapel-length train.
THE ACCESSORIES
My ivory satin sparkly lace peep-toe shoes were from Rainbow Club. Paradise Shore supplied my ower garland and made combs for my maids, too. Gareth gifted me a pearl bracelet to wear and my mum surprised me with earrings to match the style of my engagement ring.
THE GROOM
Gareth and the groomsmen hired suits from Slaters. They all looked really smart in black tails with pinstripe trousers, waistcoats and cravats. Gareth looked so handsome and also a little relieved – I was running 20 minutes late!
THE BRIDESMAIDS
My five cousins on my mum’s side and Gareth’s sister were my six bridesmaids. The older bridesmaids wore green Ariella dresses from House of Fraser and the younger girls wore ivory dresses from BHS. I chose chiffon because it floated nicely, suiting our airy woodland theme.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Sammy Moir of Strands of Norwich did my hair and Laura Frances Beauty took care of my makeup using mii cosmetics. All I needed to do was keep a lipstick handy to reapply during the day.
THE CEREMONY
Our religious ceremony was beautiful with readings from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and ‘I Love You’ by Roy Croft.
WHAT MUSIC DID YOU PLAY DURING THE CEREMONY?
My dad walked me down the aisle to Ellie Goulding’s ‘How Long Will I Love You’, which was Gareth’s favourite part of the day. We then skipped out of the church as husband and wife to Mumford and Sons, cheered on and showered in confetti by our guests.
INSPIRATION
We chose a woodland theme for our wedding, using lots of leaves, rustic wood features and twinkling candles.
RECEPTION DECORATION
Gareth made hessian bunting that said ‘happily ever after’ and I made Mr & Mrs letters. My mum created a photo board of us as children and we also displayed wedding photos of our parents and grandparents as well as plenty of rustic wooden hearts. Our reception venue, Elms Barn, provided our owers, including sun owers and lemon roses.
WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR YOUR WEDDING BREAKFAST?
There was a choice of eld mushrooms or melon to start, with duck or salmon for the main course and a trio of desserts to finish. During the evening we all enjoyed bacon rolls.
THE CAKE
My aunt made our three-tier cake using vanilla, lemon and fruit layers. It was brilliant, even including a tree archway to bring out our woodland wedding theme.
THE FAVOURS
We gave all the ladies vanilla scented tea lights for their favours. The men then received little match boxes so that the candles could be lit.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Lee Vann, a well-known solo singer and guitarist in Norfolk, kept the dance floor full all night. He learned our first dance song, ‘Start of Something Good’ by Daughtry, especially for us. The words really echo the start of our relationship and our first dance together as husband and wife was the highlight of the day for me.
THE HONEYMOON
We honeymooned in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We were lucky enough to swim with dolphins, party in Coco Bongos and visit Chichen Itza.
BEST IDEAS
I made a time capsule of our wedding after seeing the idea in Wedding Ideas – I practically have a library of the magazine now! It will be lovely to open it and read the messages on our first anniversary.
CEREMONY St Andrew’s Church, Trowse | RECEPTION VENUE Elms Barn, Toft Monks | DRESS Essense of Australia at Prima Donna, Norwich | BRIDESMAID DRESSES House of Fraser | GROOM Slaters | SHOES Rainbow Club | HAIR Strands of Norwich | MAKEUP Laura Frances Beauty, Norwich, laurafrancesbeauty.com ENTERTAINMENT Lee Vann, Norfolk | PHOTOGRAPHER Sarah Kingston Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER Jasmine Robinson Wedding Videos
© 2019 Chelsea Magazine Company 
