SHIP SHAPE

Ship shapeREAL WEDDINGS Cruise ship singers Cameron and Craig enjoyed an amazing day at Brentwood’s Friern Manor

Images courtesy of Boutique Weddings

Cameron and Craig met while performing as cruise ship singers. “We’re total opposites, but this is why we love each other so much!” says Cameron. “I’m very particular and know exactly what I want, whereas Craig loves performing and enjoying life. After seeing each other pretty much 24/7 for almost a year, we knew that if we could survive cruise ships without killing each other then we could definitely make it on dry land!”

When it came to popping the question, Cameron secretly asked Craig’s dad for permission while on a family cruise. “It was a huge surprise, as it was the first time we’d met!” continues Cameron. “After our ship contracts ended, we drove from New Orleans, where the liner docked, to Ohio, where I’m from, so Craig could meet my own friends and family. With the Tiffany engagement ring burning a hole in my pocket for the 12-hour drive, I took Craig to Cincinnati’s Skystar Observation Ferris Wheel so he could get a good view of the city. Knowing it only went around three times before ending, it gave me one rotation to build up the courage, one rotation to pop the question – and one rotation to celebrate if Craig gave me the right answer!”

Proposing to Craig with Savage Garden’s Truly Madly Deeply on his phone speaker – “we said if we ever got married it would be our first dance,” remembers Cameron – Craig said, “Yes!”, before they headed to a restaurant for a celebratory drink.

The couple chose the 21st July, 2021 for their wedding, saying ‘I do’ at Brentwood’s Friern Manor. Here, Cameron tells us all about their big day…

I was only in the UK for a short time before I had to go back on the ships, so we didn’t have long to choose a venue. However, when we visited Friern Manor we knew immediately it was where we’d get married.

The venue had recently renovated its stable house and garden and looked incredible. We didn’t have a massive budget, but loved how our coordinator said it would still feel as if we’d spent £100,000!

Our florist did a brilliant job with the flowers, and we loved the bouquets, LED flower wall, table runner and centrepieces. We also displayed the bouquets in glass bowls after the ceremony.

I wore a slim-fit sky blue three-piece suit, accented with zebra lining. Craig, meanwhile, chose a navy blue three-piece suit with bowtie. Both were accessorised with double blue and white flower buttonholes to match the best man’s one flower buttonhole.

Our four beautiful groomsmaids wore simple white wrap dresses. We also had two maids of honour, who wore elegant strapless white dresses, while Craig’s best woman wore a white trouser suit.

I also designed the place names myself, hand painting them in gold leaf. They looked stunning against the white and blue colour scheme.

I really enjoyed creating our tableplan, handwriting our guests’ names on an antique mirror and accentuating it with white and blue flowers.

My brother-in-law lost one of the rings in the grass minutes before the ceremony, which meant everyone had to get down on their hands and knees to look for it! Luckily it was found just in time! It was very hot that day, so a lot of the reception took place outside enjoying the weather. It was almost too hot – but then again it was far better than a day of rain!

We made confetti packets with dried blue flowers and blue confetti to make our suits ‘pop’. The results speak for themselves.

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The UK went into lockdown three days before our original wedding. After rescheduling four times we were so lucky that Boris lifted the no dancing ban just before our big day, which we felt was a sign from the universe.

I was determined to get my picture taken in a vintage chair in the middle of a field. Our photographer, Scott, wasn’t sure at first, but when he looked through the lens he said, “This is the shot!”

Let your photographer have their own input! It’s easy to bark orders but the best shots we got were when we let ours go with the flow. Remember, they shoot hundreds of weddings a year! Try to have a moment for just the two of you. Get away from everyone – even your photographer – and take 10 minutes to say, “We made it!” You’ll remember this moment more than most of the others.

CAMERON AND CRAIG’S CONTACTS Venue, Friern Manor, https://friernmanor.com | Photographer and Videographer, Boutique Weddings, www.boutiqueweddingfilms.uk Cameron’s Suit, Moss Bros, www.moss.co.uk | Craig’s Suit, NA Menswear, www.instagram.com/namenswear | Flowers and Mail Box, Bespoke Proposal, www.bespokeproposal.co.uk | DJ, Geoff Grove Entertainment, www.geoffgrove.com | Chairs and Bow Décor, Finishing Touch Covers, www.finishingtouchcovers.co.uk | Celebrant, Sophisticated Entertainment, www.sophisticatedentertainment.com