THE PERFECT DAY

The Barn at Alswick was the perfect location for Joe and Rebecka’s memorable wedding

Images courtesy of Rafe Abrook Photography

Joe and Rebecka first met at secondary school and had known each other for more than five years before they became a couple. Rebecka says, “We both studied drama and worked in a small theatre group together at sixth form, where we got to know each other better.” She continues, “We discovered our shared sense of humour and similar interests in films, sports and music.” Their friendship blossomed into a relationship from there.

During a trip to Iceland in January 2020, the couple explored Reykjavík and ended up at the Sun Voyager sculpture on the edge of the sea. Here Joe took a photo of Rebecka facing the water, and dropped to one knee once she turned back around. She says, “I had no idea it was coming! In hindsight, I should have realised as he wouldn’t let me get something out of his backpack earlier that day on the plane. We told our friends and family and then spent the rest of the day celebrating around the city.”

Here Rebecka shares details about their special day...

We went along to an open day at The Barn at Alswick and loved the venue – it ticked all the boxes! The white walls created a blank canvas and allowed us to decorate the spaces to match our theme and colour scheme. The venue’s glamping option sold it for us; we got so excited thinking about having our guests staying with us in the glamping tents.

We decided to combine favours with place names and had drinks tags on prosecco glasses with each guest’s name etched into it. We incorporated circles into our table plan and centrepieces, which featured silver hoops that our florists wrapped flowers around. We then had rose gold and silver mirrored table numbers.

The venue had a lot of lanterns decorating the windowsills, so our florists created arrangements to go inside. We wanted the cake itself to be quite simple as the baker had a hoop stand that we had decorated with flowers.

We were so pleased with our caterer! We offered our guests mozzarella sticks to start, a beef, fish or vegetarian option for main and a trio of mini desserts.

We booked a pizza van for the evening, which our guests loved! The food was so tasty, and the owner was very helpful.

Joe, his groomsmen and our dads all wore light grey three-piece suits with a white shirt and black shoes. They all had light pink ties and pocket squares, but Joe had a darker shade to stand out and a different colour flower on his buttonhole.

The bridesmaids wore matching mauve/blush dresses and the colour looked beautiful on them all! I picked a style that suited all their various heights and sizes. We surprised our guests with singing waiters, and they absolutely loved it! They came out just after all the mains had been cleared and did a 40-minute set. Everyone got involved by dancing and singing along – there was even a conga line.

We were both very nervous in the morning; I remember my legs shaking as I was about to go up the aisle, but I just remember smiling and feeling so happy the rest of the day. Everyone did such a great job during the speeches, and I love watching our wedding video back.

We’re so glad that we booked a videographer. The day goes so quickly and can be a blur in some parts, so it’s good to have a video to look back on. Entertainment was important to us as we wanted one big party that everyone could look back on and remember having so much fun dancing together.

JOE AND REBECKA’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK Venue, www.alswick.co.uk | Photographer, www.rafeabrook.co.uk | Bride’s dress, www.theknotbridalnottingham.co.uk | Make-up, www.instagram.com/alicelouise_makeup | Hair, www.styled-by-sophie.com | Bridesmaids’ dresses, www.asos.com | Groom’s suit, www.mrmackys.com | Cake, https://angelajanecakedesign.co.uk | Flowers, www.two-girls-and-some-flowers.co.uk | Entertainment, www.thesingingstaff.co.uk | DJ, www.mybigday-events.co.uk | Catering, https://bandrdining.co.uk | Pizza van, www.mozzarella-fellas.com Wedding favours and table numbers, https://weddinglux.co.uk | Videographer, www.lovemedoweddingfilms.com | Honeymoon planning, www.trailfinders.com/travel-centre/sac