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HAPPILY EVER AFTER

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FASHION FOCUS

FASHION FOCUS

everafterHAPPILY St. Audries Park was the perfect fairytale backdrop for Charlotte and Dan’s big day

Images courtesy of Nancy Calypso Photography

When Dan moved to Minehead from Manchester it was only a matter of time before he crossed paths with Charlotte. “Minehead is a small town and we had mutual friends,” Charlotte says. “It didn’t take long to meet. We got on really well as friends and shared the same sense of humour – we just clicked! He’s also the kindest person I know.”

The pair started dating in July 2017, and by December 2018 Dan was planning to ask that all-important question. “He proposed to me on the ice-skating rink outside Cribbs Causeway,” Charlotte tells us. “It’s one of my favourite places to go around Christmas time and we both love the festive period. I was definitely surprised!”

The pair started planning their dream wedding for 16th May, 2019, and they already knew that St. Audries Park would be the setting. We caught up with Charlotte to get all the details…

THE PERFECT SETTING

For as long as she could remember, Charlotte had wanted a fairytale wedding at St. Audries Park. “It really has the wow factor,” she says. “It’s the perfect venue for a modern, yet elegant wedding. We didn’t want to get married in a church, so we liked the fact that it has the amazing Orangery for the ceremony. As soon as we viewed it, we were completely blown away. It was so beautiful and secluded – the ideal setting for us.” The fact that they could have the whole wedding day there was a huge plus point, and the accommodation was another big draw. “Myself, my mum and my bridesmaids were able to stay at St. Audries the night before in a wonderful cottage with a hot tub,” Charlotte says. “Dan’s family were all travelling down from Manchester and they could stay on site too. The rooms were outstanding and the staff were incredibly polite and helpful.”

PUTTING THEIR STAMP ON

The couple opted for a modern and elegant feel to the day, choosing a palette of pink and white. The Orangery was adorned with white, pale pink and dusky pink roses – Charlotte’s favourite flowers – and ranunculi. On the tables were white birdcages with elegant candles inside. “I’m obsessed with Disney,” Charlotte says. “Our table numbers each had a Disney quote on them. We also hired a huge pink and white flower wall, which made a gorgeous photo backdrop.”

The pair’s incredible five-tier cake received a lot of compliments. “It was decorated with layers of white ruffles, marble effect, pale pink icing, shiny silver leaf and a Mr and Mrs Merrington cake topper,” Charlotte says. “Inside, the flavours were chocolate fudge, salted caramel, red velvet,

white chocolate and raspberry and vanilla and champagne.” Guests were also treated to a delicious wedding breakfast provided by the venue, with a choice of chicken, beef or sea bass.

AISLE STYLE

Charlotte fell in love with her Justin Alexander dress as soon as she saw it. “The train was so long, which gave it the wow factor,” Charlotte says. “I originally thought that I would choose a more simple, fitted dress, but when I tried on mine I knew it was the one.” She teamed it with a pretty belt, which the boutique arranged to have sewn on to the gown, and shoes that were inspired by Carrie Bradshaw’s famous Manolo Blahniks. “My best friend bought me a beautiful floral hairclip to wear over the top of my veil,” Charlotte says. “I also wore my Tiffany bracelet as my something old.”

The men looked dashing in classic black suits with pink accessories. Two of the bridesmaids wore pale pink gowns, and two were in dusky lilac. “I thought it made a nice contrast,” Charlotte says. “My niece was a flowergirl, and she wore a white dress with a pale pink sash.”

TIME TO CELEBRATE

The venue provided its own DJ for the couple’s reception, the music got all their friends and family up on the dancefloor. “We also hired a photo booth for the evening, which our guests loved,” Charlotte tells us. “I think that’s where everyone spent most of their time! There were lots of funny props so it was great fun getting everyone involved.” Later on, there was a surprise in store for the newlyweds. “We didn’t know, but my mum had arranged a firework display for the end of the night,” Charlotte smiles. “It was such a memorable moment and a magical ending to our special day.”

MAKING MEMORIES

In the morning, both Charlotte and Dan were extremely nervous, but excited at the same time. “We couldn’t wait to be married,” Charlotte says. “The day went so fast; we didn’t want it to end. It sounds like a cliché, but the whole day was perfect. I wanted my dream wedding and St. Audries delivered.”

They knew they couldn’t have done it all without a talented team of wedding businesses. “All of our suppliers provided a fantastic service,” Charlotte says. “Our photographer, Nancy Calypso Photography, was incredible. We booked her until the first dance, but one of my bridesmaids told her about the firework display at the end of the night, so she ended up returning a few hours later! Our wedding manager from the venue, Courtney, was so helpful throughout the whole process – we can’t thank her enough.”

CHARLOTTE’S WORDS OF WEDDED WISDOM: “The more organised you are early on, the less stress you will feel closer to the wedding. I loved knowing that I had everything sorted and I could just focus on looking forward to the big day.”

END CREDITS

Venue and catering | www.audries-park.co.uk Photographer | www.nancycalypsophotography.com Bride’s dress and accessories | www.somersetbridal.co.uk Hair and make-up | https://leighhair.co.uk Bridesmaids’ dresses | www.asos.com Menswear | www.next.co.uk Flowers | www.willitonflorist.co.uk Cake | https://weddingcakessomerset.co.uk Flower wall | Flourish Flower Wall Photo booth | www.somersetphotoboothcompany.co.uk Fireworks | http://www.firemagic.co.uk

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