AHOY THERE

Ahoy there! Luxury riverside hotel Oakley Court located in Berkshire was the chosen venue for Kimberley and Mike’s wedding with narrowboat Louisa providing the perfect big-day backdrop

Images courtesy of Simon Clarkson

Kimberley and Michael (Mike) Yeomans married on 3rd October 2020 at Oakley Court in Berkshire.

Kimberley and Mike met when she was working on an early shift one Saturday morning with the CID and Mike arrived to do a late shift as a special constable (volunteer officer). “Mike introduced himself and we got chatting about the jobs that we had running that day and the conversation kept flowing,” Kimberley tells us. “At the end of my shift, we added each other on Facebook and then started messaging one another and our relationship blossomed from there.”

The couple became engaged during a surprise proposal in London. “I thought we were visiting Mike’s parents for the weekend although “Our ceremony was Mike was acting oddly during the morning!” Kimberley tells us. “He left live via Zoom so that the house saying he was popping to more than 100 of our the shops and presented me with an envelope before he left. There were loved ones from across four more envelopes scattered around the world could be a our house containing clues and the fourth one directed me outside where one of my best friends, Jen, was part of our day which made it extra-special waiting for me. We ended up going and very emotional.” to London on a hunt for more clues. In total, there were 10 with the final one – Kimberley and Mike being hidden in Borough Market. Mike had taken one of my dresses which he left with chocolates and an empty ring box for me to find. By this point I knew what was coming and, at 7 pm as I made my way to champagne bar Vertigo 42, I was being sent video messages pre-recorded from my friends. As I arrived, Mike was looking nervous as he got down on one knee and popped the question!”

SETTING THE SCENE

The couple chose the luxury Berkshire hotel Oakley Court to get married in. “We looked at various venues but when we spotted a photograph of the building of Oakley Court we both loved it,” Kimberley tells us. “As soon as we visited it, we knew that it was the perfect place to host our wedding. The staff were friendly, the menu choices were delicious and it was easy for our guests to get to and from, with accommodation provided on-site. Mike’s dad was also able to bring his boat Louisa along with him which provided a special touch and transported a few of our guests!”

“Because we couldn’t have much entertainment due to the restrictions in place, we hired a harpist play for most of the day which sounded magical.” – Kimberley and Mike

The couple chose a blue and silver theme for their special day. “Our florist, Felicity, is a family friend and works with seasonal flowers but managed to source blue and purple varieties to match our theme,” Kimberley says. She created some amazing floral arrangements including a decorative archway and lanterns filled with flowers. Our table centrepieces saw the blooms displayed in Martini glasses placed on round mirrors and surrounded by blue candles which looked effective.”

The couple named their tables after the roads where stations that they had worked at were situated and their place names were displayed in elegant cardholders sourced from the British Heart Foundation. “Our table plan had to be altered numerous times because of the restrictions that were in place because of the pandemic,” Kimberley says. The couple gave their guests pink and blue lollipops as favours along with a scented candle in either blue, purple or cream, and a small potted succulent. “I made, and decorated, our cake,” Kimberley tells us. “It was painted with blue flowers and we ordered an Iron Man topper because Mike is a big fan!”

LOOKING THE PART

Kimberley chose an elegant dress with a bow on the back that she teamed with a veil and a faux-fur shawl. “I tried on a few dresses but loved how simple and elegant this style was,” she tells us. “It also had pockets which was a bonus! My necklace was my something borrowed-and-blue from Mike’s Auntie Kate and my earrings were a birthday present from one of my bridesmaids.”

Mike wore his traditional family tartan while his groomsmen all wore tailcoat suits with blue cravats and matching accessories that tied in with our colour theme. “Our man-of-honour wore the same suit as the groomsmen but had a bowtie and pocket square to match the colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses which were multiway styles in different shades of blue,” Kimberley says.

“The talented kitchen team at Oakley Court provided the mouth-watering dishes.” – Kimberley and Mike

THE DREAM TEAM

Venue, Oakley Court, 01753 609 988, www.oakleycourt.co.uk | Catering, 01753 609 988, www.oakleycourt.co.uk | Guest accommodation, 01753 609 988, www.oakleycourt.co.uk | Photographer, Simon Clarkson, 07973 655 169, Instagram #Getsnapping | Hair and make-up, Rosie Scott Hair and Makeup, 07775 644 467, www.rosiescottmakeup.com | Bridesmaids’ dresses, The Pretty Infinity, www.facebook.com/ThePrettyInfinity Venue styling, The Light Touch, 01189 889 935, https://thelighttouchvenuestyling.co.uk | Martini centrepiece vases and archway, Wedding Metal Art, 07828 001 689, www.facebook.com/weddingmetalart | Brides’ dress and hair accessory, Helena Fortley, 01883 335 811, https://helenafortley.co.uk | Bride’s shoes, Charlotte Mills, 0161 971 1827, https://charlottemills.com | Groom’s kilt, his own | Groomsmen’s suits, ties and pocket squares, Moss Bros, www.moss.co.uk | Flowers, Petal & Pearl Floristry, 07901 518 829, www.petalandpearl.co.uk | Lollipop favours, www.etsy.com | Stationery, Stationery by VO, 020 8532 1000, www.vo-stationery.com | Name Card Holders, British Heart Foundation, www.bhf.org.uk | Invitations, Papier, www.papier.com | Harpist, Gabriella Jones, www.gjonesharp.com | Balloon, Bubblegum Balloons, https://bubblegumballoons.com | Wedding rings, Durham Rose The Bespoke Jeweller, 020 3411 8291, https://durhamrose.com Narrowboat, Kate Boats Hire Fleet, 01926 492 968, www.kateboats.co.uk