NIGHT FEVER

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feverNIGHT Paul and Jess’s relationship blossomed on a night shift at work

Images courtesy of Chic Media

Jess met Paul at Basildon University Hospital back in 2016. “Paul was a newly-qualified nurse, and I’m a radiographer,” says Jess. “Our initial attraction stemmed from the odd bit of small talk, but progressed when Paul bribed me with sweets and a doughnut while on a night shift! Having said that, I still avoided Paul’s requests for a date for around three months, until his birthday, when he guilt tripped me in to a trip to the cinema!”

Four years later, Paul popped the question on the Greek island of Santorini. “Our holiday had been delayed by six months due to Covid restrictions, so we were delighted just to be going away!” continues the bride. “It was the penultimate night of our trip, which fell on the 1st September. This might not mean much to most, but I hate odd numbers, so 1/9 was a date I never suspected a proposal would happen! Paul hired out a rooftop, getting down on one knee while we watched the sun set over the Caldera. There were flowers, Champagne and music, and it was absolutely perfect.”

The couple chose the 2nd April, 2022 for their wedding, saying ‘I do’ at Hutton Hall. Here, Jess tells us all about their incredible day…

With Covid numbers increasing and another lockdown looming, we saw 12 venues in a short space of time before booking Hutton Hall. We booked the 2nd April, 2022 – all even numbers! – and started planning immediately. The cake was made of four levels, with vegan Oreo, salted caramel, vanilla and carrot cake flavours. We also had a small iced rabbit on the side of one of the tiers, in honour of our house rabbit, Tilly.

We decided to have a travel-themed wedding as we love to explore, incorporating this in our favours, table plans and place names. We try to visit far and obscure countries with our backpacks as much as we can!

The venue was already decorated beautifully, so we simply added a few spring-coloured artificial flowers. The bouquets consisted of David Austin patience roses, pale pink tulips, small pito, eucalyptus populus and eucalyptus cinerea.

Our food was fantastic, from the drinks’ canapés to our wedding breakfast of Caesar salad, chicken, bacon and leek pie with potatoes, and apple crumble and ice cream. For the evening, our guests also enjoyed mini burgers, fish and chip cones and falafel wraps. My emotions were a rollercoaster on the morning of our wedding. I was anxious, nervous and excited, all rolled into one. I didn’t know what to do with myself! Thank goodness for Rescue Remedy and mint tea, as I couldn’t face the prosecco the bridesmaids were enjoying!

Paul wore a three-piece navy suit with ivory tie and pocket square, complete with black shoes and pocket watch that I bought for him as an engagement present. He also had personalised stitching of our wedding day under his collar.

My Romantica Tuscany gown was the fortieth dress I’d tried on! The attention to detail, stitching and design was beautiful, and I accessorised it with a pearl necklace with matching earrings worn by my mum on her wedding day.

My five bridesmaids wore blush pink dresses from Wed2B, which were accessorised with a ‘can’t tie the knot without you’ silver bracelet. They picked their own hair styles on the morning of the wedding, so their looks expressed their own personalities.

I wanted the focus to be on the back of my dress, so opted for having my hair up – and I knew it would also last longer! When it came to my make-up, I asked for a natural but glam look, so I still looked like me – just better for the camera.

Throughout the meal and canapés we hired the pianist Bryan Edery. This man can play anything! He was very approachable, interacted with the crowd and kept all of our friends and family entertained. 33

JESS’S TOP TIP “Make sure you have plenty of time in the morning to get ready and just enjoy it – you’re going to have the best day ever!

The evening party surprise was our saxophonist, Olly, who was amazing. He played lots of Ibiza classics alongside the DJ, making sure the dancefloor was packed. He also gave us an additional list to choose from so he could formulate his music to our wishes.

We hired a photobooth which was positioned in one of the rooms at Hutton Hall. This kept the guests entertained with the props available – which eventually came onto the dancefloor to add to the fun!

Our wedding was a wedding of all seasons, as we had sun, cloud, rain and snow in the space of four hours! Thankfully the sun came out during our canapés on the lawn, and it stayed dry whilst the evening guests were with us. Nobody wanted our wedding to come to an end – so some didn’t! After the DJ had finished our ushers and some friends went clubbing! We can only imagine the looks they got turning up to a nightclub in wedding attire!

JESS AND PAUL’S CONTACTS

Photographer and videographer, Chic Media www.chicwedding-photography.com | Venue, Hutton Hall www.huttonhall.co.uk Jessica’s dress, Barn Bridal Boutique www.barnbridal.com | Hair, Catherine Bullen Hair www.catherinebullenhair.co.uk Make-up, Elite Bridal Makeup www.elitebridalmakeup.co.uk | Suits, Anthony Formal Wear www.anthonyformalwear.co.uk | Cake, RT Cakes www.rtcakes.co.uk | Flowers, Jade’s Flowers www.jadesflowers.co.uk | Silk Flowers, Fancy Faux www.fancyfaux.co.uk Transport, Nandra Chauffeur Services www.nandraweddingcarhire.co.uk | Catering, Limeberry Events www.limeberrycatering.co.uk Rings, Coo Jewellers www.coojewellers.com | Saxophonist, OG Sax www.ogsax.com | DJ, DJ AJ Entertainment www.djajessex.co.uk Magician, Jake Banfield www.jakebanfield.com | Dancefloor and LOVE lights, KMS Hire www.kmshire.com | Chair covers and post box, Occasions Covered www.occasionscovered.co.uk