OVER THE RAINBOW

from Your North West Wedding- December 2021/January 2022 (Issue 71)

ESCAPE TO GREECE

rainbow OVER THE

Verity and Michael had a colourful celebration at Charnock Farm

Images courtesy of Amber O’Brien Photography

Verity and Michael met in 2013 during a night out. “We had loads in common and realised we went to the same primary school and grew up near each other,” says Verity. “He was shy, but I was determined to get to know him. It was out of character for me to go up to someone I didn’t know, but he was so kind and gentle that I trusted him straight away. After chatting and dancing, I wrote my number on his arm as he had no phone or social media. A week later, he popped up on my phone and was worried I might have forgotten about him. Turns out he bought a new phone just to contact me, so he was a man of his word from day one. Our first date was at Frankie & Benny’s and the rest is history.”

Michael popped the question on 17th December, 2018. “After years of dropping hints, I had given up, so the proposal was totally unexpected,” shares the bride. “Michael told me he wanted to propose at York’s Christmas market, but our car broke down, so we got the train to Manchester and visited a market there instead. As I was busy getting ready, Michael popped out, and it turned out he went to ask my dad for his permission which was very important to me. As soon as we got off the train, we stopped by the market and he asked me to marry him. We were so nervous and in shock, so we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for cocktails to celebrate and tell the news to our families.”

Here the bride shares some of her favourite moments from their big day...

We wanted a relaxed venue that was close to our home. Charnock Farm was rustic, cosy and the staff were flexible with our ideas. We loved the beautiful, natural scenery and the pond full of ducks. Our centrepieces were wooden logs with mini-floral tipis, macrame jars, easels with pictures of us and gin bottles filled with lights.

Fleur Designs provided my whimsical bouquet, and I made a macrame wrap that included a picture of my nan and aunty who are no longer with us. The team also made a top table arrangement and greenery for down the aisle.

Michael and I made our decorations, including the chair bunting, boho macrame hoops for the ceiling, floral archway and centrepieces.

I wore a Stella York dress that I customised with 3D flowers and an Essense of Australia veil. I tried on so many designs, and when I saw my gown on the hanger I hated it, but my mum begged me to try it on. When I opened my eyes, I knew straight away it was the one and cried. I purchased my gown from Ava Rose Hamilton and got to meet Gok Wan at one of my fittings. The bridesmaids’ dresses were lace floor-length gowns in pastel shades from Eve Boutique.

Charnock Farm provided the food. We had an Italian buffet and bacon and sausage barms in the evening.

To keep our guests entertained, we hired a live singer during the day, TK Leisure to DJ in the evening, a photo booth mirror from Exceed Events and a doughnut wall provided by Gemini Occasions.

Spending time with Michael in the Campervan, saying our vows, doing our first dance and our wedding party throwing amazing shapes were all memorable moments from the day.

While on the dancefloor, my best friend’s husband spun me around, and I tripped over the bottom of my dress and decked it on the floor. We were all in fits of laughter! Everyone ran to help except my new husband, who was dancing in his own world, clueless of the commotion. We were so happy that our day finally arrived. After three postponements and a whirlwind of a run-up, it was full of love and laughter.

For our honeymoon, we spent three nights in Manchester. We hired a cinema room, went in a balcony Jacuzzi and had meals out. During the best man’s speech, the page boy let out a massive yawn stopping everyone in laughter. Poor James had to bring the speech back to his train of thought. Jen from Fleur Designs was a massive support from day one. She helped through all the postponements, with some of the décor, and she even assisted me in finding a new photographer the day before the wedding when my old one couldn’t make it. She was an absolute angel, and I know the day wouldn’t have been the same without her.

VERITY AND MICHAEL’S CONTACTS

Venue and catering, Charnock Farm, www.charnockfarm.co.uk | Photographer, Amber O’Brien Photography, www.amberobrienphotography.com | Videographer, Anthony Ives Photography, www.anthonyivesphoto.com | Bride’s dress and veil, Ava Rose Hamilton, www.avarosehamilton.co.uk | Groom’s suit, Slater Menswear, www.slaters.co.uk | Bridesmaids’ dresses, flowergirls’ dresses and alterations, Eve Boutique, www.facebook.com/eveboutiquechorley | Hair stylist, The Colour Lounge, www.facebook.com/thecolourlounge35

Make-up artists, Opal & Iris Bridal & Beauty, www.facebook.com/opalandirisbridalandbeauty; Rosella Makeup Artistry by Katrina McGuigan, www.facebook.com/katrinaprofessionalmakeup | Cake, Buttercream Cake Design, www.facebook.com/buttercreamcakedesign | Flowers, Fleur

Designs, www.fleurdesigns.co.uk | Transport, Chase the Sun, www.chasethesun.co.uk | Entertainment, TK Leisure, www.tkleisure.com | Photo booth, Exceed Events, www.exceedevents.co.uk | Doughnut wall, Gemini Occasions, www.facebook.com/gemini.occasions