There’s magic in the air

Karina and Ed tied the knot at The Fairlawns Hotel & Spa surrounded by their friends and family Images courtesy of Lee Hawley Photography

Like most modern couples, Karina and Ed met online. “It took me two days to message back as I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go through with the subscription service, and funny enough Ed was just about to cancel his,” says Karina. “Luckily, he received my message just in time! Our mutual love of animals and hobbies sparked our initial conversations and we became inseparable. Ed proposed in 2021 during a holiday to Centre Parcs, when we were visited by a stag at our lodge; it was magical.”

Here the bride shares some of her favourite moments from their big day...

We wanted a venue that meant something to us but also had really good food. Ed fell in love with The Fairlawns Hotel & Spa when he visited and we loved that we could spend the whole day with our family and friends; nowhere else compared. We had a spa day the day before our wedding and enjoyed a meal with friends and family that had travelled to celebrate with us.

Ed and I wanted to incorporate our personalities and interests into our décor. We both love Star Wars, Disney, Marvel and Harry Potter, so wanted to include these without it seeming cartoon-like or tacky.

The cake was four tiers and each tier resembled a flavour and symbols from Harry Potter, Marvel, Disney and Star Wars. We chose double chocolate, red velvet, cherry bakewell and lemon meringue, which went down very well with everyone.

I chose a paper bouquet made from the pages of our favourite stories. Ed and the groomsmen had paper buttonholes containing a Star Wars charm, and the women of the family had ivory paper corsages with a Disney charm. The bridesmaids carried small matching bouquets, and our dogs wore floral collars and dresses.

We chose glass bowls as our centrepieces with a gold candle in the centre surrounded by flowers.

My dress was called Elevated Belle by Allure Bridals in the Disney Collection at Ava May Bridal. I chose to add Tinkerbelle-style straps in the same material and a tiara and veil to complete the look. I felt like a Disney princess every time I wore the dress, and Ava May Bridal was fantastic in helping with my vision. I accessorised with heart earrings from Ed and a Disney charm from my mum.

The Fairlawns Hotel & Spa provided the DJ for the evening reception, and we arranged for Booth Factor to set up a magic mirror photo booth for a few hours. It was a hit with our guests and meant we have a great selection of highly amusing photos.

My four bridesmaids chose flutter sleeve gowns from David’s Bridal. They accessorised with their own jewellery, silver shoes and matching hair clips. We added simple diamante belts to the waists and a more elaborate belt to the maid-of-honour’s dress.

Ed wore a navy-blue suit with a matching tie from Tuxedo Junction. His waistcoat complemented his suit which was made from his favourite Star Wars fabric by Sam at Ava May Bridal. He accessorised with Star Wars cufflinks and a watch. The groomsmen wore the same suit with plain waistcoats and different cufflinks.

It was lovely using the wedding garden at The Fairlawns Hotel & Spa. The children especially enjoyed the wooden seesaws, which kept them occupied while the photos were being taken.

We were both excited and nervous for 2pm to come around. The bridal prep suite was busy with hair and make-up while the groomsmen were a little more serine. It’s true that the day just flies by.

Having our photos taken with our lightsabers after getting married was one of our favourite moments.

The dogs walking down the aisle with the bridesmaids had a great response from our guests.

We booked the team at Michelle G Makeup Artistry to do makeup for myself and the bridal party, however, two days before the wedding our hairdresser became sick with covid. Michelle stepped in straight away, and her team helped keep everyone calm on the morning too.

Our top tip for any couple would be to go with the flow, as not everything is going to go to plan on the day.

We chose to go to a resort in Barbados for our honeymoon as we wanted to relax and do something that we never had before. It was two weeks of sheer luxury, and we loved every minute and would go back in a heartbeat.

KARINA AND ED’S CONTACTS

Venue, The Fairlawns Hotel & Spa, www.fairlawns.co.uk

| Photographer, Lee Hawley Photography, www.leehawleyphotography.com

Bride’s dress, accessories and alterations, Ava May Bridal, www.avamaybridal.com | Groom’s suit, Tuxedo Junction, www.tuxedo-junction.co.uk

Bridesmaids’ dresses, David’s Bridal, www.davidsbridal.com

| Accessories, Millinery Creations By Caroline, www.hatscbyc.co.uk | Rings, Cooljoolz, www.cooljoolz.co.uk

| Mother-of-the-bride/groom’s dress, The Dress Room of Southwell, www.thedressroom.co.uk

Hair and make-up artist, Michelle G Makeup Artistry, www.michellegmakeupartist.co.uk | Cake, Quality Cake Company, www.qualitycakecompany.com

| Flowers, Paper Bouquets, www.paperbouquets.co.uk | Decorations, Green Leevs Garden Centre & Interior Plants, www.greenleevs.co.uk

| Stationery, VIP Wedding Stationery, www.vipprinters.co.uk | Canine transport, Pet Pawz, www.petpawz.co.uk

Photo booth, Booth Factor, www.boothfactor.co.uk