Childhood sweethearts

Madeleine and Michael’s autumnal day had a gorgeous burgundy, navy and blush colour scheme

Images courtesy of Katherine Ashdown Photography

Maddie

and Michael met 10 years ago while still in school, “Although we were in the same year, we had never really spoken to each other until a History trip where we were in the same group. After spending the day together, we instantly connected, and the rest is... history!” recalls Maddie.

Michael proposed in May 2021 on a weekend break to Bath, “We visited Prior Park Landscape Garden where Michael knew there would be beautiful scenery, and a Palladian bridge which I had desperately wanted to see. Although the day had showers, it had stopped raining as we got to the bridge where Michael popped the question. I knew it might have been a possibility as I always joked it would be a beautiful place to get engaged!” she shares.

The big date was set, Thursday 27th October 2022, with Woodhall Manor and burgundy, navy and blush colour scheme setting the scene. Here we find out more about their day…

Setting The Scene

Woodhall Manor was the first and only venue the couple visited and by the end of their viewing they’d fallen in love. “It felt perfect for our day,” Maddie says. “It was rural and secluded, and we loved that we could use the venue for the entire wedding and that there were separate rooms/buildings for each part of the day. The manor house itself had around 13 guest rooms and, the part that sold it for me, was the party room which was also beautifully decorated.”

For favours, Maddie and Michael gave guests hot chocolate jars, perfect for an autumn wedding and something they both love. The table plan was placed on an old mirror with wax seal stamps, which also featured on the place settings, while the table centrepieces were domed flower arrangements on short candlestick. “Our flower arrangements complemented our colour scheme and included roses, eryngium, amaranthus, astilbe, dahlia, lisianthus, berried eucalyptus, protea, waxflower and mixed foliage,” shares Maddie. The big-day bake was a threetiered semi-naked cake design adorned with matching flowers.

The couple also decorated the space with black and white photos of themselves at various locations they’d visited together (also the table name inspiration).

Looking The Part

On the day, the bride wore a dress called Elora by Madi Lane, “This was the first dress I tried on in the only shop I visited,” shares Maddie. “I always wanted either an off-shoulder or sleeved dress, and Elora was just perfect. The detailing was insane, I did try a sleeved dress on but it wasn’t quite for me. I accessorised the dress with a sparkly belt which a seamstress attached to the dress. Heels were not a big thing for me as I’m a trainer girl at heart, so I bought some simple white shoes and had platform white Vans for the evening.”

Maddie’s something borrowed was her sister’s veil, and her something old and blue was her nan’s sapphire ring which was extremely special after losing her unexpectedly at the beginning of 2022. “I wanted to wear pearls, so found a lovely pair of pearl earrings and a simple pearl necklace, and my mum then gifted me a pearl bracelet on the day.”

Michael looked dapper in a three-piece, navy tweed suit which had burgundy details so he teamed his look with a burgundy tie and pocket square. The best man and one of the groomsmen wore the same as Michael, while the rest wore suits they already had. Complementing the groom’s party, the bridesmaids wore burgundy dresses in different styles ensuring they were comfortable.

Memorable Moments

The morning of the wedding, Michael felt excited and not as nervous as he’d anticipated to feel. However, while waiting for Maddie to come down the aisle so many emotions came over him. Michael adds, “Standout moments for me were the feeling of togetherness getting ready with the boys in the morning; the sense of joy and relief when seeing Maddie come down the aisle; and during the evening reception you could really feel the love in the room which created the best atmosphere for a great end to the wedding.”

Maddie says, “I only had two/three-hours sleep the night before as all the excitement had kicked in. The girls and I arrived at the venue before Michael, but from the room we were getting ready in we could see Michael and the boys arrive, once I saw the smile on Michael’s face I felt so much more relaxed knowing he was already enjoying the day. Right before the ceremony I was nervous but so excited, the moment I saw Michael crying set me off, but from then on it was smiles and laughter all day.”

Maddie had arranged with the wedding planner, Beth, to walk down the aisle on a key part of the song and Beth aced it, which Maddie credits to making the moment feel so special! “The originality of the best man’s speech was amazing, we didn’t stop laughing throughout,” shares Maddie. “All of our wedding party were amazing throughout our wedding journey, organising fun and thoughtful hen/stag dos but also being a helping hand for all the prep! All of our suppliers were just brilliant, we couldn’t fault them. They made the whole process so easy and were on hand with any questions or ideas we had.”

Top tip: Decide on set days for wedding planning in the week so you’re not thinking about it 24/7. Time to yourselves is so important and during the lead-up to the wedding chilled evenings are a must!

ROLL CREDITS

Venue, Woodhall Manor, https://woodhallmanor.com | Photographer, Katherine Ashdown Photography, https://katherineashdown.co.uk | Dress, Abigail’s Collection, www.abigailscollection.co.uk

Jewellery and accessories, Copperlane Gift Co, https://copperlanegiftco.com | Hair stylist, Bridal Hair by Marina, www.bridalhairessex.co.uk | Make-up artist, Victoria Bradfield Makeup, www.victoriabradfield.co.uk | Suits, Suits Direct, www.suitdirect.co.uk | Cake, Cupcake Cloud, www.cupcakecloud.co.uk | Flowers, Tiger Lily Flowers, www.tiger-lily-flowers.com | Wedding rings, Quality Diamonds, www.qualitydiamonds.co.uk | Videographer, Peekaboo Films, www.peekaboofilms.co.uk

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