Monochrome magic

Zoe and George’s special day took place at The Great Barn Tetbury decorated with a stylish black and white theme

Images courtesy of Holly Derrick Photography

Zoe and George were friends who started dating after spending more and more time together and realising how well they got on. “I went to the University of Birmingham a few months later and that’s when we made it official,” Zoe tells us. “Eights years on and now we’re married!” The couple became engaged during a surprise proposal. “We’d discussed getting married for a few years beforehand and thought it would be nice to set the date as our anniversary,” Zoe explains. “I had seen our chosen venue a few years previously on Instagram so we went to view it before we became engaged! We both fell in love with it, paid a deposit and also booked the church and our photographer - our friends thought we were crazy because we hadn’t got engaged yet! A few months passed and although I knew we were getting married, the proposal was a complete surprise - George took me out for a late birthday lunch and then my friends drove over to take me out too. They blindfolded me and the next time I opened my eyes, I was in my garden surrounded by our closest friends and family with George on one knee. Everyone had decorated the garden and house and arranged a surprise proposal and party. This was shortly after the lockdown restrictions were lifted so it was the best feeling having all of our close family and friends witness such a special moment. Although I knew that George was going to officially propose at some point, it was a complete surprise and shock when he did. Not a conventional proposal, but it worked for us!” Here, Zoe tells us all about their wedding at The Great Tythe Barn in Tetbury, Gloucestershire decorated

We wanted to get married in

“In the days leading up to our wedding and on the day itself, my bother helped us so much and we’re so grateful to him. Both my dads’ speech and George’s brothers’ speech were very special, especially George’s brother’s when he said “In the week when everyone lost a queen, George gained one” - that was a memorable moment!” - Zoe

We felt nervous and excited but most of all we both felt so lucky to be surrounded by our loved ones. The church ceremony felt surreal, I do remember being very nervous waking down the aisle, and from the videos, I can see George was nervous too! George’s young niece and nephew did a reading at the church which was so sweet.

It was wonderful to have a bit of time to ourselves in a black 1930s Rolls-Royce after our ceremony so that we could relax and take it all in. The exact car has been used in Peaky Blinders and also Downton Abbey! We had a great driver and enjoyed the journey.

I’ve always liked the idea of a barn wedding and after looking at a few barn wedding venues, The Great Barn Tetbury was perfect in terms of size, layout and pretty outside grounds, we couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else.

The barn is beautiful, it’s decorated with a canopy of fairylights and the grounds are perfect for photos. It was the ideal size for 100 guests.

Our chocolate, lemon and vanilla cake tasted delicious. We wanted a simple design so went for the semi-naked look, and our florist added some greenery. It looked wonderful displayed below our neon sign.

After scrolling through Pinterest, I loved the idea of a mirrored table plan so we had a large arch-shaped black metal-edge mirror with Polaroid photographs displayed on which looked simplistic and modern.

The number of years that we had been together matched our number of tables so we chose years as our table numbers along with a photo of us during that year. We displayed them in black metal frames.

We wanted something simplistic for our centrepieces that fitted in with the black modern theme so we chose greenery teamed with white candles, black candle holders and clear hurricane vases. We displayed black wooden names in a hand-written font that looked effective alongside the white napkins, black candle holders and black table names.

We knew that most favours get left behind if they don’t fit in a handbag so we wanted something simple that everyone would enjoy. We chose our favourite sweetsGeorge’s were M&Ms and mine were Smarties! They were presented in clear bags with black and white stickers.

Our cake topper matched our place names.

We displayed lanterns and other black accessories around the venue to tie in with our monochrome theme. We had a decorative welcome sign, cake signs and other small signage made using black vinyl which looked very modern.

We were guided by our talented florist about which flowers we should pick. I wanted greenery mixed with white blooms and that’s exactly what I got – I was delighted with them. I had them dried after our wedding and made into various acrylic keyrings and coasters.

On our welcome table was one of my favourite pieces of décor. Alongside the foliage, candles, black accessories (including our table plan) and a white table runner was an old retro black phone which was actually a phone guestbook. Not only did it look amazing but everybody left us such lovely messages!

Our guests tucked into sharing boards of meat, cheese varieties and bread as part of our wedding breakfast. They loved the informal main course which was a mixture of make-your-own burgers, chicken strips, chips and couscous.

We offered wedding cake and a sweetie table as dessert which went down a treat! For our evening food, we had pizza.

During the reception, we had a saxophonist perform while a magician entertained guests - everyone commented on how amazing both were. We highly recommend having something to entertain guests when the official photographs are being taken.

During our wedding breakfast, we had Singing Waiters which was one of my favourite parts of the day. Standing at the top table watching all of our close family and friends waving napkins, singing and dancing was such a good feeling and one I’ll remember forever!

George wanted something timeless and classic so he wore a stylish black tuxedo. He did try on traditional tails but it didn’t have the same effect as the tux. George stood out from the groomsmen, who also wore black tuxedos because he wore a waistcoat and the others wore cummerbunds.

My shoes were closed-toe ivory slingbacks with statement crystal embellishment which fitted with the style of my dress and veil.

I wore the dress called Nini by Blue by Enzoani from TDR Bridal. I first saw this fit-and-flare mermaidstyle lace gown online and I loved how traditional yet modern it looked with a layer of glittery tulle and a long train. It also featured an open back with a keyhole effect. I visited a few shops, where I tried on various styles of dresses, including this one, but the sample was too small so I couldn’t see the true outcome. I visited TDR Bridal and tried it on again in a bigger size and thought it was the one, but thought I best try more on - I finally settled on the Nini style!

George wore a pair of cufflinks personalised with the date of our wedding.

Our bridesmaids wore made-to-measure dark olive green-coloured dresses. They had a fishtail-shaped bottom and cowl top which looked beautiful.

The Dream Team

Our first dance, which we took lessons for, went perfectly!

Photographer, Holly Derrick Photography, www.hollyderrickphotography.co.uk |Church, St. Mary’s Church, Prestbury, www.northchelt.org.uk/ourchurches/st-marys | The reception venue, The Great Tythe Barn, www.gtb.co.uk | Pre-ceremony drinks, The King’s Arms, https://kingsarmsprestbury.com | Videographer, Too Moo Films, https://toomoofilms.com | Florist, Eden of Cleeve, www.edenofcleeve.co.uk | Table candles (hire), Etiquette Wedding & Event Design, www.etiquetteevents.co.uk | Room stylist, Elizabeth Weddings, https://elizabethweddings.co.uk | Confetti, Dollz Confetti, https://dollzconfetti.co.uk | Caterer, Bristol Event Catering Co, www.bristoleventcatering.com | Cake, Little Cake Corner, www.instagram.com/littlecakecornercheltenham | Car, Triggol’s Vintage Cars, https://vintagewedding-cars.co.uk | Selected stationery, Tyssphere Designs, www.facebook.com/tysspheredesigns | Table plan mirror, Dunelm, www.dunelm.com | Hair, Hair By Danielle, www.facebook.com/hairbydaniellle | Make-up artist, Charlyannmua, www.facebook.com/CharlyannMUA and By | Shani makeup artist, https://byshanimakeupartist.com | Dress, Enozani at The Dressing Rooms TDR Bridal Birmingham, www.thedressingroomsbridal.co.uk | Veil, Lace & Favour, www.laceandfavour.com | Men’s suits, Slater Menswear, www.slaters.co.uk | Bridesmaids’ dresses, Bridesmaid by JB, www.bridesmaidbyjb.com | Bride shoes, Monsoon, www.monsoon.co.uk | Nails, La Piña Rosa, www.facebook.com/people/La-Piña-Rosa/100063702153829 | Wedding rings, Sonny’s Jewellers, www.sonnysjewellers.com | Evening photographer, Stephen J Griffin Photography, https://stephenjgriffinphoto.com/weddings | DJ, DJ Louis Capaldi, www.facebook.com/djlouiscapaldi | Photo booth and chair sash hire, Generation Events, www.instagram.com/generation_events_ltd | Singing Waiters, Singers Secreto, https://singerssecreto.com | Magician, Richard Parsons Magician and Pickpocket, www.gloucestershiremagician.co.uk | Reception music, Wendy Sax - Saxophonist, www.wendy-allen.co.uk | Church music, Jam Duo, www.jamduo.com/wedding-musicians-cello | Dance lessons, Kelsall Choreo, www.kelsallchoreo.com | Phone guestbook, Audio Guest Book, https://audioguestbook.co.uk