ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

Caroline and Gary’s big day was a vintage affair

Images courtesy of Dylan Nolte Photography

Caroline and Gary met on a night out at a mutual friend’s 30th birthday drinks. “I thought he looked like Danny Dyer so made him shout out his famous line ‘nice one brother’ from Human Traffic,” shares Caroline. “He then played hard to get for a year, and I had to resort to making him aware I was dating other people to make him commit, and it worked the rest is history!”

Reflective of his future wife’s love of the Beatles, Gary popped the all important question in Liverpool having booked the Paul McCartney Suite in the Hard Days Night Hotel! “Gary had insisted on driving us up there but I was reluctant to as it takes so long from Essex. I was correct in my judgement, as the car broke down two-miles from the hotel. Gary was trying to see the funny side while I was crying! We had to push our dinner reservations back an hour to leave us time to get ready; but I did start to relax again. Although, that soon faded when we arrived at the restaurant and it wasn’t quite what we had in mind – it was like a rave – although, I ended up having the time of my life!” Unaware Gary had the ring in his pocket, he was desperate to get Hanah back to the hotel for Plan B! “We arrived back at the suite, he called me out onto the balcony where I found him rather windswept, down on one knee! It was totally perfect and he could finally relax!”

The big date was set, 7th March 2020, with Hutton Poplars Hall setting the scene. Here Caroline tells us more about their day...

We felt Hutton Populars Hall had the potential to create our rock‘n’roll, sixties, house-party-vibe atmosphere we wanted for our day.

Our centrepieces were loose arrangements matching the bouquets. We love the wild flower look and opted for spring blooms in yellow, white and blue for our March wedding; consisting of anemones, craspedia, thistles and eucalyptus.

We wanted the cake to be really plain with a bow to match my dress. We used material from the skirt of my gown and tied it around the middle – it was really simple but effective and fitted the theme perfectly!

I have a love of music and vinyls, and using small records as the table plan – it just seemed the perfect way to display it! We named each table after iconic couples of the ’60s and had a black and white photo of the couple in the center of the record and then the names of the guests around the edge.

In keeping with the ’60s theme we put two ‘flower power’ sunflower seeds in a small envelop to resemble me and my husband. Guests then took them home to see how big they grew. It was lovely in lockdown receiving all these photos and messages showing us how well they were growing.

We had a big vintage bus from the 1950s to transport our guests from the ceremony venue to the evening venue.

We had a sit-down meal during the day and I had always liked the idea of ‘welcome cocktails’. I created my own cocktail and named it Ticket to Ride after the Beatles song. We then had stone baked pizzas passed around to the evening guests – perfect grub to scoff between drinking and dancing.

We hired the groomsmen’s suits from Anthony’s Formalwear in Billericay. Hubby went for the navy trousers and jacket with a Prince of Wales waistcoat and bottle-green tie. The best men wore the same but with a navy tie, while the dads and rest of the groomsmen all wore navy suits with Prince of Wales ties. We bought mother of pearl cufflinks and tie pins to tie in with the heel of my shoes. My Jesus Peiro gown was the first dress I found and loved, we all felt it was a massive sign! I wore my friend’s veil, my something borrowed, with a very simple oval clip above my bun. I felt everything needed to be very clean and simple to fit the classic ’60s-vibe. My dress was a twopiece so I bought a simple elegant bridal skirt from Catherine Deane so I could be more comfortable in the evening. My shoes were a classic court with a chunky mother of pearl heel and ankle strap from Freya Rose London.

The bridesmaids wore beautiful, long, straight, fitted navy dresses featuring a crochet neckline and cap sleeves. I let them choose how they wanted their hair and make-up as being a make-up artist and hairdresser myself I understand how personal this can be – I wanted them to all shine in their own way.

During the welcome drinks a violinist entertained guests and a band kept everyone on the dancefloor during the evening.

Some of our standout moments included our nieces reading during the ceremony, saying our personal vows and the speeches! We loved every moment of it! We have a lot of friends and family, and after the hen and stag dos it was so lovely how well everyone got on; guest just chatted away and the dancefloor was never empty! Lockdown was just round the corner, so it was so nice we had this just before, with such wonderful memories

THE LITTLE WHITE BOOK

Venue, Hutton Poplars Hall, www.huttonpoplarshall.co.uk | Photographer, Dylan Nolte Photography, www.dylannoltephotography.com

Bride’s dress, Pantiles Bride, www.pantilesbride.com | Hair and make-up, Donna Robinson Makeup, www.donnarobinsonmakeup.com

Bridesmaids’ dresses, ChiChi London, www.chichiclothing.com | Groom’s suit, Anthony’s Formalwear, www.anthonyformalwear.co.uk Cake, Miss Cupcakes, www.misscupcakes.co.uk | Flowers, The Little Florist, 01277 213 298 | Transport, Star Car Hire, www.starcarhire.co.uk and www.ensignbushire.com | Entertainment, Rockit via Function Central, www.functioncentral.co.uk/band/rockit | Catering, Premier Crew, www.premiercrew.events | Up-lighters, glitter sign and ball, Lovelight Entertainment, www.lovelightentertainment.co.uk | Décor, Anthology Vintage Hire, www.anthologyvintagehire.com | Photo wall, Penny Lane Event Hire, www.pennylaneeventhireltd.co.uk | Violinist, Lizz Lipscombe – Solo Violinist, https://lizzlipscombe.co.uk | Gold chairs, Sitting Pretty Hire, www.sittingprettyhire.co.uk

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