8 minute read
BEST DAY EVER
Best day ever Laura and Neil said “I do” at Abbeywood Estate on 26th June, 2021
Images courtesy of Jess Yarwood Photography
Laura and Neil met through mutual friends and from the moment they started chatting it was clear they had a lot in common – it even turned out that they’d actually been living around the corner from each other for the past two-and-ahalf years. Neil won Laura over with his cooking and prepared her a chicken pesto pasta dish on one of their first dates. “We don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t made me that meal,” Laura laughs.
The couple headed to New York to celebrate Laura’s 30th birthday and went to watch the sun rise over the Brooklyn Bridge on the first morning there. Laura remembers, “It seemed to take forever thanks to all of the high-rise buildings.” But when it eventually peaked out from behind the skyscrapers Neil got down on one knee and presented her with the engagement ring. “It was a huge surprise! We were expecting our first child that August and were about to move house, so I’d thought a wedding would have to wait,” Laura shares.
It was love at first sight when the pair visited Abbeywood Estate. “The gardens are breathtakingly beautiful – the perfect setting for a summer wedding,” Laura explains. The venue had to close during lockdown, but its gardens could remain open, and they made the most of them by going for walks with their new daughter. So, by the time the wedding date came round, they felt a real affinity with the place.
Here, bride Laura shares her memories of the big day...
SETTING THE SCENE
Laura and Neil opted to style their day in a romantic and relaxed way, using a palette of dusky pink and grey, accented with eucalyptus and plenty of greenery. This was beautifully brought to life through the floral arrangements. A flower arch adorned the church entrance, with two dramatic pedestals bearing blooms flanking the aisle. At the reception venue, grey chiffon runners were draped along the centre of the tables and glass candle sticks holding tall dusky rose candles sat on top, with eucalyptus and roses carefully wrapped around the bases.
The table plan was created in a white canvas with eucalyptus detailing around the edges and the place names were designed to match. As wedding favours, guests were gifted super-cute packets of seeds, which were labelled “let love grow.”
Laura’s mum made the big-day bake and decorated it in silver grey ribbon to complement the theme. “After months of tasting and practising, she definitely pulled it off,” the bride tells us. It was completed with more beautiful blooms provided by their florist.
The venue took on a wonderfully romantic ambience in the evening as lanterns lit the
pathway and little lights illuminated the bridge in the gardens. The staff also dressed the beams of the glasshouse in eucalyptus and drapes with more twinkling lights.
LOOKING THE PART
The bride wore a Lusan Mandongus gown, which was expertly altered by Carlamarie, owner of The Brides Room in Southport. “She was amazing,” Laura says. She kept her accessories subtle with some diamond and pearl drop earrings. Her new motherin-law kindly had these made for her using two diamonds from Neil’s grandmother’s engagement ring. Meanwhile, her groom bought her a matching pearl necklace as a surprise.
Neil, his best men and the dads were all dressed in traditional black dinner suits complete with black bow ties. The style of the groom’s waistcoat differed from the other gents to allow him to stand out as man-of-themoment. He also wore a very dapper-looking custom-made white shirt with black buttons.
The bridesmaids wore silver grey Motee Maids dresses. The girls each chose the style of top they wanted to go with the coordinating tulle skirt. They were all delicately embellished with diamantés and pearls, mirroring the bride’s accessories.
TIME TO CELEBRATE
Acoustic musician Daisy Kate played during the drinks reception, creating a beautifully relaxed atmosphere. “We’d hire her again in a heartbeat. Many of our guests commented on how good she was,” Laura remembers. The garden games too were a huge hit, especially with the children. Owner of the Rustic Wedding Company Tina even came to set them up in the morning, and collected them the following day ensuring a stress-free experience.
The evening do centred around sixpiece band, The Back Beats booked via Entertainment Nation. “They were amazing and so accommodating with requests,” Laura says. Guests also loved the converted VW Campervan photo booth, which provided heaps of fun throughout the evening. 22 22
LOVE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS
Laura remembers the worry caused by the turbulence and uncertainty of the past year or so: “We were a bag of nerves for the announcement on 14th June, as we didn’t know what it’d mean for our big day. We didn’t even know how many guests we’d be having until five days beforehand!” But luckily that latest update in restrictions meant they could have their 70 guests by their sides as they celebrated. The excitement was tainted slightly though by the fact that Neil’s family had to make the tough decision not to make the journey from Ireland, but plans are already underway to make up for it with another celebratory bash as soon as it’s safe.
ROLL CREDITS
Venue and catering | Abbeywood Estate | https://abbeywoodestate.co.uk Photographer | Jess Yarwood Photographer | www.jessyarwood.co.uk Bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses | Bridal Barn Boutique | www.thebridalbarnboutique.co.uk Alterations | The Bride Room | https://carlamarie-couture.business.site Jewellery, accessories and wedding rings | Christopher Evans Goldsmiths | https://christopherevansgoldsmiths.com Hair and make-up | Poppy Michelle Hair & Makeup Artist | www.poppymichelle.co.uk Hair stylist | Hair by Sue Neish | www.instagram.com/hair_by_sue_neish Suits | Whitfield & Ward | https://whitfieldandward.co.uk Flowers | Skelmersdale Flower Centre | www.skelmersdaleflowercentre.co.uk Guest transport | Travel Master | www.travel-master.co.uk Stationery | Love From Poppy | www.instagram.com/love_from_poppy Table numbers | TwistStationery | www.etsy.com/shop/TwistStationery Favours | LilyThePrint | www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LilyThePrint Lawn games | Rustic Weddings & Events | www.facebook.com/RusticWeddingsandEvents Photo booth | Birdie & Co. | www.birdiecampervan.com Entertainment | Daisy Kate Music, www.daisykate.com | Black Beats via Entertainment Nation | www.entertainment-nation.co.uk/the-back-beats 23
THE BRIDES ROOM BY CARLAMARIE
With 30 years of experience in bridal and occasion wear the brides rooms offers bespoke and alteration services so every bride is assured that Carlamarie and her team will be with them from the selection to the final fit and collection. We also offer a full couture service for bridal, mother of the bride/Groom and bridesmaids. Carlamarie is currently designing her own Bridal collection in beautiful silks which will be made in-house in our design studio the collection will be available in the spring.
15 Liverpool road, birkdale, merseyside, pr8 4a4
01704567122 carlamariecouture@gmail.com bridesroomofbirkdale.com
Based in Sandbach, Cheshire, we are an award winning bespoke cake designing service that combines both great taste and unique design
21 CREWE ROAD, SANDBACH, CHESHIRE CW11 4NE
Rum Warehouse tailored to your special day
Lovingly restored, this historic World Heritage site provides a fitting location to mark the start of your lives together. From your marriage ceremony to the evening’s celebrations, we would be honoured to host this wonderful occasion for you.
* From us to you.. Rum Warehouse Seasonal Package £8,500 inc. VAT*
• Hire of Rum Warehouse • Toast glass of Prosecco • Use of cake knife • Arrival glass of Prosecco / bottle of Heineken • Evening buffet • Red carpet • 3 course set menu (Menu A) • White linen table cloths & napkins • Complimentary Superior room for couple • ½ bottle of house wine per person • Stage & Dance floor • Bar until 1am
Minimum numbers 80 wedding breakfast and 120 evening reception. Valid Monday to Sunday between April and November 2021. *Subject to availability and current Government restrictions.
For more information, call our wedding coordinators on 0151 482 5783 or email weddings@titanichotelliverpool.com
