SUMMER LOVING

lovingSummer Ellie and James’ big day was a chilled, fun celebration Images courtesy of Ella Nurse Photography

Growing up in the same town, Ellie and James already knew of each other but it wasn’t until Ellie posted a Game of Thrones photo up online that they actually started talking and the spark was lit. “As we were chatting we realised we had both moved back to Norfolk after being away at university so we went for a drink that night and got on so well it just went from there,” Ellie reveals.

POPPING THE QUESTION

James proposed to Ellie in New York on New Years Day. She’d taken him there to celebrate his 30th birthday on the 2nd January and he slipped the proposal in first. “It was amazing but very sneaky because he’d managed to keep it from me and had even asked my father’s permission on Christmas Day. He popped the question in front of the huge Christmas tree outside the Rockefeller Centre. He couldn’t have picked a better spot, it was beautiful and I had absolutely no idea it was going to happen.”

THE TIME AND THE PLACE

They set the wedding date for 21st August 2021 at The Georgian Townhouse in Norwich. Ellie says, “We’d seen photos of a wedding at the venue and we really liked the look of the place. Once we went there in person and tried the food, we knew it was the one and we booked it instantly.”

LOOKING THE PART

When it came to finding her dream dress Ellie ended up falling for the unexpected, a beautiful Maggie Sottero princess gown, which she wore with a veil and bejewelled heels. “It was actually one that Vicki from Pure Brides suggested and it was the complete opposite of what I thought I wanted but somehow, she just knew. As soon as I tried it on I also realised it was the one and I particularly loved the antique ivory colour which really suited me. Vicki made me feel so relaxed that I was able to enjoy the whole experience!”

The groom and all his party wore matching blue suits with pink ties and pocket squares to complement the bridesmaids’ dresses. The buttonholes were mini versions of the bouquets and their two Siberian huskies looked the part in their own wedding finery. “Ghost, our male dog, wore the same style suit jacket as the groom and groomsmen, which was cleverly adapted by James’ mum, while our female husky Inca had a dress made from ivory tulle.”

THE ‘I DOS’

Although the nerves kicked in a little on the wedding morning James barely had time to notice as he had his hands full with the dogs and overseeing proceedings in the main building, while Ellie was looking after their baby boy Atlas. “I was in the separate apartments and although I was very nervous, I was excited too. The ceremony was beautiful and it meant the world to us having everyone there as we had to rearrange our original date due to the pandemic and it was such a relief for it to be going ahead.”

Ellie adds, “We had live music, which was really important to us to set the tone of the day and when I heard Simon singing it actually made me relax before walking up the aisle,” recalls Ellie.

THE PERSONAL TOUCHES

The wedding flowers included O’Hara roses, pampas grass and bunny tails, trailing pink ribbons and a blend of nude, pink and pale peachy tones with dried eucalyptus to add extra depth of colour. James’ mum made tissue paper roses to scatter on the tables, all hand-dyed to reflect the colour scheme. As James is an artist, he did all the signage to tie everything in with the big-day theme. He also designed the table names, all places in New York that they’d visited with ‘Top of the Rock’ for the head table in a nod to their engagement. They also made the place names themselves using wax seals and a matching font. “We went for scratchcards in personalised envelopes as favours because we loved the idea of someone possibly winning and we wanted something people could talk about and have a bit

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of fun with at the tables,” explains Ellie.

Their showstopping, hexagonal cake featured a hand-painted marble effect and gold detail, with a delicious chocolate layer, white chocolate and raspberry, topped with a vegan, lemon tier. Ellie raves, “Emma our cakemaker really stood out to us with her incredible detailing. She even included a little hand-drawn image of the cake on an easel next to it.”

As big foodie fans the catering was another important highlight of the day. Ellie says, “We had a choice of food for the wedding breakfast so there was something for everyone to enjoy and the venue supplied fish and chips in the evening which were delicious and really added to the laidback, fun feeling we wanted.”

TIME TO CELEBRATE

The nearby Plantation Garden was a focal point of the wedding, providing a wealth of picture-perfect backdrops. “We took everyone over there as it was absolutely stunning and we managed to get a group shot of us all together and then our guests were able to go off and explore while we had our couple photos done,” explains Ellie.

There were garden games and pick and mix sweets and an instant camera with the guest book for family and friends to capture the fun and leave a lasting memory of the day. Later in the evening they had sparklers outside and everyone hit the dancefloor to party the night away.

THE LOVE LIST

Photography, Ella Nurse Photography, www.ellanurse.com | Venue, The Georgian Townhouse, www.thegeorgiantownhousenorwich.com Bride’s dress, Pure, Norwich, www.purebrides.co.uk | Hair, Victoria Powles Hairstylist, www.instagram.com/victoria_powles_hairstylist Make-up, Meriel Garland Make-up, www.instagram.com/merielgarlandmakeup | Groom and groomsmens’ suits, ASOS Bridesmaids’ dresses, ASOS | Flowergirls’ dresses, Monsoon | Cake, Buns of Fun, www.bunsoffun.co.uk | Flowers, Ivy floral events, www.ivyfloralevents.co.uk DJ, Connections Entertainment Ltd, www.connectionsentertainment.co.uk | Ceremony singer and guitar, Simon Benefer of Jackdaw Wedding Duo, www.awesomeweddings.co.uk

Set on the edge of the stunning Ormesby Broad, The Boathouse offers a unique setting for your Wedding Ceremony or Celebration. The beautiful Wedding arbour overlooking the water provides one of the most romantic venues you and your guests will ever experience.