WE’LL MEET AGAIN

WE’LL MEETagain After meeting as teenagers, Amy and Andrew’s paths were destined to cross again

Images courtesy of Nicky Hill Photography

Amy and Andrew met as teenagers when Amy would visit her auntie and uncle over the summer holidays – Andrew lived opposite them. One day, 12-year-old Amy went for a run around the village and got lost, so Andrew was sent out to find her. That was their first encounter, and during one of her subsequent visits he was her first kiss. She visited most summers and although they lived four hours apart, the two remained friends through social media. Years went by and they both met someone and each had a child with their respective partners, but the relationships weren’t right and once they’d become single again they got back in touch. Following the first lockdown in 2020, they decided to bite the bullet and meet up. Amy tells us, “This felt risky to me as I knew we’d have feelings for each other and I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. It was indeed love at first sight... again. Andrew always says that as soon as he saw me that day he knew I was the one he was going to marry.”

The couple chose St Michael and All Angels Church in East Coker as the venue for the ceremony. Amy has family connections as her late grandfather was a bell ringer there for many years. He also made a stained-glass window for the back of the church. Her late grandma too was a regular congregant. “Being married at the church made me feel closer to Popa, like he was there on my big day. Colin, the vicar, was brilliant. He had a wonderful sense of humour and warmth, which made the whole experience feel really personal,” Amy explains. For the reception all assembled would move on to Hornsbury Mill. This venue had significance to Andrew as his nanna got married there.

Join us as the bride tells us more about the beautiful summer’s day they said “I do”...

I wore a beautiful gown by Enzoani, which I purchased from 14 and Sixpence in Taunton. The boutique owner, Cathy, made me feel so welcome and made the event of choosing my wedding gown very special.

I expected to feel very anxious on the morning of the wedding, but actually I was completely calm. I just knew Andrew was absolutely the only man for me and I couldn’t wait to call him my husband.

Andrew wore a suit with a stone-coloured waistcoat to contrast the groomsmen’s whose waistcoats matched their suits. The groom also wore a different buttonhole and maroon braces. All the men and our boys wore braces and dickie bows.

My hair was even better than I could ever have wished for. Lucie at LUCO is my regular hairdresser and she finished off the style with some lovely wax flowers. My make-up too was flawless.

The bridesmaids were dressed in mauve dresses with lace on the body and capped lace sleeves.

Our centrepieces were terrariums with a large, grey, marble-effect candle inside and tea lights surrounding the outside. Fresh eucalyptus was draped around them. The place names were a simple design in dusky pink with names handwritten in gold.

We hoped to bring some extra joy to our wedding guests so we tucked scratch cards inside tiny envelopes and sealed them with personalised stickers.

For the venue flowers and bouquets created by Floweringi in Chard we chose dusky pink, mauve and cream blooms with greenery. Our church arrangements included the same colours and were provided by Elaine Dugdale, a local florist in East Coker who knew the church well and how to dress it.

Our cake was a simple, two-tier bake. The bottom layer was chocolate and the top was white chocolate and raspberry topped with buttercream. It was dressed with fresh flowers and the topper was a wire sign, which read: “Finally.”

Our photographer, Nicky, and her assistant were both brilliant. They organised everyone and made sure they were exactly where they needed to be. It was important to Andrew and I to have relaxed, candid photography and she captured the feel of the day perfectly. Every time we look at our photos we’re transported back to the day. A fabulous band called The Indies entertained us throughout the day. Two members kicked things off with an acoustic set while guests were arriving and mingling. Then in the evening, the other band members joined in for sets of rock/pop music as we all danced the night away. They really were brilliant.

The day after the wedding we stayed at Kentisbury Grange in North Devon for three nights. The hotel and food were incredible. The staff were so friendly and went above and beyond to make our minimoon so special. Due to Covid travel restrictions, we decided to honeymoon at a later date and plan to go to Indonesia next year.

My dad’s speech was touching and funny giving everyone a few laughs. It was lovely to see him looking so proud of both me and Andrew. Andrew’s dad asked the band to play Simon and Garfunkel’s Mrs Robinson in honour of my new name and we had a dance together. My father-in-law is a brilliant man, he’s a second father to me.

THE W-DAY TEAM

Venue and catering, Hornsbury Mill, https://hornsburymill.co.uk | Photographer, Nicky Hill Photography, www.nickyhillphotography.com | Bride’s dress, 14 and Sixpence, www.14andsixpence.co.uk | Wedding rings, Berry’s Jewellers, www.berrysjewellers.co.uk | Hair stylist, Lucie at LUCO, www.facebook.com/luciecoleshairdesign | Make-up artist, Revive Hair and Beauty, www.facebook.com/revivehairandbeautyuk | Bridesmaids’ dresses, Chi Chi London | Groom’s suit, Moss Bros | Cake, Cakes by Annette, http://cakesbyannette.co.uk | Venue flowers and bouquets, Floweringi, www.floweringi.co.uk | Church flowers, Elaine Dugdale | Transport, The Somerset Travel Company, https://somersettravelcompany.co.uk | Stationery (order of service), Print and Design, http://printanddesign.info | Stationery (place names), Elleinks, www.instagram.com/elle.inks | Stationery (invitations), Polly Pickle, www.pollypickledesign.com | Entertainment, The Indies via Entertainment Nation, www.entertainment-nation.co.uk Venue styling, Events With Friends, https://eventswithfriends.co.uk