Spellbound

Rebecca and Michael had a magical wedding in autumn surrounded by loved ones

Images courtesy of Jackie Tran Photography

Rebecca and Michael met in Canada at Ottawa Jail Hostel, which was once a jail and still has many historical features. One morning, a mutual friend persuaded Rebecca and Michael to take part in a tour around the Hostel. Rebecca comments, “Michael turned up late to the tour, and I remember being very unimpressed. Somehow, we ended up on a bench in a park chatting for hours until sunset. I remember him being very kind and easy to talk to as we had a lot in common – it felt like I’d known him for ages.”

The couple went to Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte on their first date before seeing the new Harry Potter movie at the cinema. After three days together in Ottawa, they parted ways on their Canadian travels but kept in touch. They talked on the phone almost daily before Rebecca flew to Australia to see Michael –the rest is history.

Michael popped the question in 2019 at sunset in Clayton Bay, South Australia. The pair had gone away for a long weekend, and Rebecca said “yes” immediately.

Setting The Scene

Rebecca grew up near Canford School and had always dreamt of tying the knot there – it was the first venue the couple contacted after their engagement. They were disappointed to find out the venue was booked out during autumn and had to look elsewhere for their autumnal-themed wedding. The bride still managed to book a tour of Canford School and knew it was the perfect venue as soon as she walked into the property. She fell in love with the beautiful library with stunning chandeliers, the Great Hall that looks like a cathedral and the fantastic stone archway entrance that fits a princess. The stars must have aligned as the property had a cancellation and could accommodate their October wedding – everything was falling into place!

The couple wanted their autumnal theme to be highlighted throughout the venue, so they incorporated seasonal colours and scents. The blooms featured burnt orange sunflowers, orange roses and mango calla lilies. The pair also had many pumpkins as well as brown and orange oak leaves sprinkled throughout the venue. The bride’s bouquet had a red-brown kangaroo paw for Michael and orange freesias for her late nan.

The lovebird’s had to include their love for Harry Potter, so the bridesmaids’ bouquets were wrapped in ribbon representing the house colours, and they had a hidden hand-carved wand inside. The boys had mango calla lilies as buttonholes, and Michael’s was wrapped in a page of the Harry Potter books – precisely the page that says “Always”. The flowergirl dropped petals from Rebecca’s late nan’s roses, which they had collected for more than three years.

There were four long tables for the wedding breakfast to highlight the house tables from Harry Potter, each dressed in a coloured chiffon runner, manzanita trees sprouting orange orchids and hanging candle lanterns. The top table even featured ‘flying’ keys! The pair gave guests macaron favours themed Bertie Botts Every Flavour Macarons, and loved ones had to guess what flavour they had. Everyone was placed onto their house tables in a sorting ceremony using a wax-sealed envelope that they had to open at the entrance of the Great Hall.

The four-tiered cake matched the couple’s Harry Potter and autumnal theme. A hand-carved pumpkin made up the top tier, finished with gold leaf detailing. There was a gold stag and a gold doe on the cake, looking at each other from different levels to represent the love stories in Harry Potter. The pair even hid two tiny gold leaf footprints on the cake to represent the

Marauder’s Map.

Guests loved the hot chocolate station, made to look like a potions cabinet with jars of ingredients, including wormwood, lavender, ladies’ mantle, dandelion roots, valerian and more. There were also pumpkin marshmallows, sprinkles, syrups and cookies to enjoy.

The transport was a white V-Dub named Lillie for the wedding party and a white carriage with two horses for the bride and her dad. The carriage had sunflower details, and people were hanging out of windows waving to the bride as she drove by.

Looking The Part

Rebecca wanted a classic and romantic fairytale ball gown with sparkle for her special day and opted for a special edition dress by Nicole Spose that was handmade in Milan.

After trying on more than 40 dresses, the bride had almost given up when by chance, she found the perfect dress while shopping with her sister. Red ruby slippers, a chapel-length veil with Swarovski crystals and a tiara finished the princess look off perfectly. Rebecca says, “I remember seeing myself on the big day and feeling emotional. I never believed anyone could make me look so beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see what Michael thought.”

The groom wore a traditional top hat, a black tailcoat suit, an ivory waistcoat, a ruche tie and red socks to matched the bride’s shoes. The groomsmen wore burnt orange ruche ties to allow Michael to stand out.

The bridesmaids wore romantic dresses with lace straps and keyhole backs, which complemented Rebecca’s dress perfectly. The flowergirl wore a beautiful velvet dress with a burnt orange tulle skirt.

Time To Celebrate

A string quartet played as guests arrived for the ceremony. The team composed a list of the couple’s favourite Harry Potter music, which added a romantic atmosphere to the day. During the vows, a barn owl named Billie was the ring bearer and surprised all the guests. Everyone loved being able to hold him after the vows.

The bride’s dad built a set of hoops, and the guests played quidditch on broomsticks during the drinks reception for some added fun. The bride says, “The game was a great idea because it gave loved ones something to watch and participate in while photos took place. Some guests got quite competitive, and some photos look like they are flying!”

Later in the evening, a ukulele band and a DJ kept everyone on the dancefloor. The last song they played was Reach by S Club 7, and it brought the roof down!

Memorable Moments

The bride woke up very emotional on the big day. She says, “I had been planning this day for 30 years, and a part of me believed it would never happen due to Covid. I had the best people around me and felt the happiest I’ve ever felt!” She was full of emotions when walking down the aisle with her dad, and it’s a moment she will always treasure.

Michael woke up nervous but very excited. He says, “I knew the day would be perfect because I was marrying my best friend, so I had nothing to worry about. Rebecca wrote me a beautiful note to open before I started to get ready.” He adds, “To see all our friends and family together to celebrate us was so beautiful – I wouldn’t change a thing from our special day!”

Watching the horse and carriage pull up outside her house was a fairytale moment for the bride, something she had dreamed of since a little girl. She says, “This was the moment it all became real, and I realised I’d achieved everything the four-year-old me wanted for all those years – a perfect wedding.”

A funny moment during the wedding breakfast was when the best man Andy ran into the Great Hall screaming the ‘Troll in the dungeon; there’s a troll in the dungeon - thought you ought to know’ line from

Designer

Everything for the Mother-of-the-Bride & Guests

Bespoke & Ready-to-Wear

Blending modern luxurious fabrics with timeless designs, results in a sophisticated style with a glamorous feel. Every woman should feel elegant no matter what the occasion.

Harry Potter before pretending to faint. The wedding couldn’t have happened without the bride’s mum, dad and sister, who spent three years helping Rebecca prepare for the big day. Floral sculptor Owen Lavin created a beautiful autumnal woodland inside the venue. He believed in the pair’s vision throughout the wedding planning process.

HONEYMOON

After their magical day, the couple flew to Hawaii for three weeks and travelled around three islands. The bride says, “It’s hard to pick a highlight from three weeks in paradise, but swimming with sea turtles and huge manta rays was incredible. Hawaii is beautiful, and I hope we can return someday!”

REBECCA AND MICHAEL’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK

Venue and catering, www.canford.com | Photographer, https://jackietranphoto.com | Bride’s dress, https://theprincesscollection.com.au

Bridesmaids’ dresses and Tiara, www.isobelsbridalandgroom.co.uk | Necklace, https://whitedesignsbridal.co.uk | Hair, https://lauramackenzie.co.uk | Make-up, www.niponakhan.co.uk | Groom’s suit, https://afjoy.co.uk | Cake, www.thecrumbfactory.co.uk

Flowers, www.little-lillies.co.uk | Transport, www.dorsetdubhire.com and www.whiteshillcarriages.co.uk | Stationery, www.foilinvite.co.uk Entertainment, www.motherukers.com and www.gemroadshow.com | Videographer, https://mdalglieshmedia.com | Owl ring bearer, http://apollo-falconry.co.uk | Toastmaster, Robert McCarthy Toastmaster | Favours, https://cocoaandwheycakes.co.uk