TEAM PLAYERS

playersTEAM Robyn and Lauren fell for each other over a match of football Images courtesy of Adrian Jackson Photography

Robyn and Lauren met during their first year at secondary school. “We sat one seat apart in form, but didn’t like each other much!” remembers Lauren. “I always referred to Robyn and her friends as ‘the mean girls’, and Robyn thought I was a nerd! It wasn’t until Year 11, when we both started playing for the same local football team, that Robyn realised I was the only person that could get the ball off her. One training session, as her way of flirting, Robyn soaked me in Lucozade – and the rest is history. We’ve been together since we were 15!”

Robyn proposed to Lauren on New Year’s Day, 2019. “It’s tradition that Robyn’s family gather at her Gran’s, but this year was particularly special, as Robyn had been in America for over a year on a football scholarship,” continues Lauren. “She was flying back again a few days after New Year, so her leaving was tough. Unaware of what was about to happen, we gathered in front of the TV, before Robyn streamed a video she’d made of photos of us together, over the soundtrack of Bruno Mars’ Marry You. When the video ended, she got down on one knee, before passing me a Christmas cracker that Robyn and her mam had hidden the engagement ring in. Obviously, it was a very easy, ‘Yes!’ from me!”

The couple set the date for the 30th July, 2022, choosing Newcastle’s The Willows at the Woodmans for their big day. Here, Lauren tells us more about their amazing wedding…

AGAINST ALL ODDS

When searching for their venue Robyn and Lauren stumbled upon The Willows at the Woodmans by chance. “We were meant to get married in 2020, then Covid hit, and our first venue went into liquidation,” says Lauren. “Our second venue was gifted to us by a family friend, however, Covid meant we had to cancel again the following year. 2022 came, and we thought we were over the worst – until our venue was damaged by weather and our wedding was postponed once more. We then went on the hunt for our third venue, hoping it would most definitely be the case of fourth time lucky!”

In fact it was Instagram that came to the rescue, with the couple’s friend, a wedding coordinator, posting a message on her story asking for help. “Ruth, the wedding planner at The Willows, replied, inviting us to go and see their venue,” continues Lauren. “We took both mams along – and every one of us cried. It was everything we’d ever wanted, a combination of vintage and rustic meets class. Ruth was so accommodating, and in that time of pure stress was the calming voice we needed. The views were amazing, the ceremony and wedding breakfast rooms needed no decoration, plus it embodied everything we could possibly wish for. When we walked in our favourite country song was on – it was as if they knew us from the second we arrived!”

ROSES ARE… PINK

When it came to wedding flowers the couple knew exactly what bloom should take centre stage. “We opted for the pink Mondial rose, choosing them because Robyn often surprises me with bouquets of roses when she’s coming home from work,” says Lauren. “We wanted a baby pink rose, as they look more timeless, plus pink is our favourite colour. I decided on a structured bouquet, asking for eucalyptus around the outside to match Robyn’s rustic bouquet and centrepieces. Structured is very much ‘me’, as everything has to have its place, whereas Robyn wanted something wilder to match her personality. For the bridesmaids, we chose bouquets of gypsophila, and I also incorporated them into my hair. All the men wore rose and eucalyptus buttonholes, while our mams were given corsages of the same blooms.”

As The Willows at the Woodmans was already beautifully decorated, Robyn and Lauren didn’t feel the need to add much. “We kept the venue’s wooden chairs as they were to keep in with the rustic theme,” continues Lauren. “There are also huge chandeliers in all rooms, which again made everything classy and worked perfectly. We used eucalyptus rings for our centrepieces, which tied in with both of our bouquets, but without the expense of adding roses. A little gypsophila was added to break up the green, then in the centre we used vases filled with a mixture of pink pillar candles and floating candles. On our top table, we also had candles of different heights, with a mixture of white and pink pillar candles and floating tealights.”

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Feeing their guests warm and filling dishes was an important aspect of the couple’s big day. “We opted for no starters, but for the main meal enjoyed beef and turkey sandwiches, along with unlimited roast potatoes and boatloads of gravy,” says Lauren. “Our vegetarian guests feasted on halloumi burgers and roasties, while the kids tucked into fish, pizza and chicken nuggets and chips. Our night-time buffet was a delicious range of pubs classics, such as pizzas and bao buns, which were the biggest hits. Everyone raved about them – especially the tempura-battered cauliflower balls!”

The couple’s wedding cake was another huge hit of the day. “We wanted our cake to match the minimal, rustic theme, with the whole vibe being very woodland,” adds Lauren. “The top tier was white chocolate and raspberry, with the bottom tier a chocolate orange flavour. The cake rested on a tree trunk slab, which was supplied by our venue. I think designing and tasting the cake with our supplier, Marielle, was one of our favourite parts of the process. She made everything a breeze, and is one of the nicest humans I’ve ever met! She even gifted us our cake because of all the stress we’d been through with the wedding! Regardless of her generosity, the cake was everything we could have wished for and more.”

HAPPY SHOPPERS

Two brides meant two wedding dresses, with Robyn and Lauren shopping in different stores. “Robyn wore a fit and flare gown with a jewel neckline in full lace,” says Lauren. “Creating an illusion of a sweetheart neckline, the back of the dress was lace with a trail of beautiful buttons. She also added a belt, which was stitched on to the front with several smaller jewels either side, leading to a large centre jewel. Of course, Robyn had the easiest dress shopping experience ever! She went in looking for a plain dress and tried one on, before realising it wasn’t for her. She then tried on a second – and instantly knew it was the one! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put into words how beautiful she looked in her dress. On the morning of the wedding the videographer even said, ‘You are the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen’ – which seemed to be a common theme throughout the entire day!”

Lauren’s dress shopping experience, however, wasn’t that simple. “I’d visited several dress outlets and was starting to feel deflated,” she says. “My body’s changed over the years, and in my head I wanted something plain and simple, as I hate standing out. I then went to Brides and Beauty in Gateshead with my mam, who saw a dress and asked me to try it on. At this point, we were running out of time, so I agreed – and it was perfect! I was most surprised at the sweetheart neckline, as all along I’d been telling everyone that I wanted something that covered my boobs!”

SING FOR YOUR SUPPER

With a famous singer in the family, music had to be an integral part of Robyn and Lauren’s celebrations. “Robyn’s dad is Shaun Foster Conley, who you’ll have no doubt seen many a time perform on the hit ITV show, Benidorm,” continues Lauren. “We wanted to kick the night off with songs we knew everyone would get up and dance to – and Shaun totally nailed it! His voice sounds very much like Tom Jones, so he was an excellent addition to our entertainment. After he had performed everyone was up and ready to party.”

The singing, however, didn’t end there. “Prior to Shaun’s set, we also got our guests to all sing Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” says Lauren. “When the ceremony ended, our friends and family were handed out laminated lyric sheets; then the music started, and every single person sang the song as we walked up the aisle. It’s a memory we will never forget!”

Even Lauren herself got in on the singing action, which came as a huge surprise for new wife Robyn. “I cannot sing in the slightest, but sang Valerie on the karaoke regardless!” she remembers. “It was totally acapella, but everyone was up dancing and having the time of their lives!”

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

You know a couple are meant to be when their little touches make all the difference. “Before the wedding, Robyn told all our suppliers to steer clear of my room wherever possible,” says Lauren. “She did this as she knew I’d be stressed – and a tad Bridezilla! – which in turn would make my mam anxious. Instead, Robyn invited everyone into her room as a ‘chill out zone’, but in fact it had the opposite effect. One by one all the vendors walked out of Robyn’s room back into mine, laughing at how nervous Robyn was. I, however, was happily lying on the bed, stress-free, reading the best things to do in Gateshead!”

The thoughtfulness certainly didn’t end there, with yet another surprise in store for Lauren. “Robyn got me a puppy on our wedding day!” says Lauren. “We’d spoken about getting another pet to keep our rescue dog company, but as I’m a teacher decided we’d wait until the end of the six-week holiday. After our ceremony, we walked outside to get some pictures taken, only to see Robyn’s brother, Fraser, with a gorgeous fur baby in his arms. We named her Willow after our venue.”

LAUREN’S TOP TIP

“Talk to each other during the planning. You’ll both have different ideas, so chat about everything to come to a solution.”

ROLL CREDITS

Photography, Adrian Jackson Photography www.ajacksonphoto.com | Venue, The Willows At The Woodmans https://thewillowsatthewoodmans.com | Videography, The Lovely Wedding Company www.facebook.com/thelovelyweddingcompany | Robyn’s dress, Wed 4 Less www.wed4less.co.uk | Lauren’s dress, Brides and Beauty www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063897071868| Dress alterations, Zig Zag Alterations www.zigzagsalterations.co.uk | Suits, Gavin Scott Menswear www.gavinscottmenswear.co.uk | Flower girl dresses, Tonia Ann Bridal www.toniaannbridalwear.co.uk| Hair, GK Hair www.instagram.com/gkhairx | Make-up, Talia Kerry MUA www.instagram.com/taliakerryx | Bridal prep venue, Eslington Villa www.facebook.com/eslingtonvilla | Celebrant, Lisa Wilson Celebrant www.facebook.com/lisawilsoncelebrant | Cake, Marielle’s Cake Boutique, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063482262767 | Brownie stack, Lou’s Crazy Kitchen www.instagram.com/lous_crazy_kitchen | Flowers, Marjories Flowers http://www.marjories.florist

Award Winning North East Wedding Photography