GOING FOR GOLD

GOING FOR gold Charlee and Sam tied the knot on 27th August 2021...

Images courtesy of Jacob Malinski Photography

It seems that Charlee and Sam’s paths were always destined to cross eventually as they’d been on the periphery of each others lives for so long before they officially met. While they knew of one another at school, being in different years, they never really spoke and when they started working at the same company, they were placed in different teams. “We’d seen each other several times on work and non-work related nights out,” Charlee explains. It was at one such event that Sam finally decided to approach Charlee and they got on so well, they decided to set up a first date.

It was a wonder that Sam managed to keep his proposal plans from Charlee, given the preparation involved – we’re told, she usually finds out everything he tries to hide! In the summer of 2019 the pair were visiting their favourite holiday hotspot, Lanzarote. They took a walk to a special spot where they’d placed a love lock on a rail during a previous trip, only this time Charlee found another one right next to it, emblazoned with the words, “Will you marry me?”

The newly engaged Charlee and Sam loved the idea of getting married outdoors and found themselves attracted to Cottesmore Hotel Golf and Country Club, which also allowed them to host the whole day in one place. “It turned out to be the perfect venue for our wedding and we couldn’t be happier,” Charlee shares.

Join us as the bride shares her memories of the big day...

“We experienced a rollercoaster of emotions on the day including nerves, tears, laughter... The nerves weren’t as bad as we thought though, and we both ended up having the best day of our lives.”

STAYING NETURAL

Charlee and Sam enlisted the help of

“My bouquet, the bridesmaids bouquets, corsages, buttonholes and ceremony flowers all tied in with our neutral and greenery theme.”

“We opted for a threetiered cake with different flavours decorated with flowers – it tasted unbelievable. Our wedding breakfast was a starter of pâté, followed by beef wellington for main course and chocolate delice to finish.”

Enchanted Events and Prop Hire to bring together their ideas for the centrepieces. The top table was decorated with a beautiful, tall rectangular gold stand with white and champagne flowers and eucalyptus. Using the same flowers, the other tables had circular gold stands. Plus, further small details were added to the tables to tie together the theme including gold tea light holders, a vase with matching flowers, the table name and a gin bottle filled with lights. The super-cute wedding favours were mini envelopes containing wildflower seeds.

The table plan was made from photo frames of varying sizes painted gold, while the place names were made from brown card and stood in mini wooden stands in keeping with the netural theme. The table names, each one a different gin, were made from the same materials as the invitations and placed in gold stands. Other décor included a welcome sign, order of the day, and a flower arch for the ceremony lawn.

DRESSED TO IMPRESS

Charlee tells us, “After trying a few fitted dresses, I eventually chose an A-line gown from designer Nicole Milano. I had off-the-shoulder sleeves added, which I think completed it. I then accessorised with a beautiful dried flower crown.

“Sam wore a cream dogtooth three-piece suit with gold accessories, including a gold paisley bow tie. The best man wore the same while the groomsmen chose their own suits to complement the ties Sam gave them. So, we had quite a few colours including navy, grey and brown.

“The bridesmaids also chose their own dresses from all different places. I asked them to find neutral-coloured full-length gowns, which all ended up looking perfectly harmonious.”

“My top planning tip would be to keep everything on a spreadsheet. We had supplier details, budget, checklists, tasks, seating plans and so on. It was useful and really helped with the organisation.”

HITTING THE DANCEFLOOR

“Our band, Riptide, performed an acoustic, normal and DJ sets, as well as our first dance song, which they learned especially for the occasion. Everyone absolutely loved them and no one sat down all night,” the bride remembers.

She continues, “We both got lifted onto the shoulders of our guests on the dancefloor, but what they didn’t realise was that every time they bounced Sam in the air, he hit his head on the ceiling. We’ll blame that for the sore head in the morning!”

CHARLEE & SAM’S SUPPLIERS

Venue and catering | Cottesmore Hotel Golf & Country Club | www.cottesmoregolf.co.uk Photographe | Jacob Malinski Photography | https://jacobmalinski.com Dress | Fross Wedding Collections | www.frossweddingcollections.co.uk Jewellery and accessories | Emilia Rae Bridal | www.emiliaraebridal.co.uk Suits | ASOS Cake | Harry Batten Cakes | www.harrybatten.co.uk Flowers | Bunches of Sussex | www.bunchesofsussex.co.uk Stationery and props | Enchanted Events and Prop Hire | https://enchantedeventsandprophire.com Wedding rings | Lambton’s Jewellers | www.lambtons.co.uk Flower crown | Hidden Botanics | https://bio.site/hiddenbotanics Videography | Creative Bungalow | www.creativebungalow.co.uk

Fontwell Park is a charming wedding venue situated between Arundel and the Cathedral City of Chichester.

Set within 65 acres of beautiful countryside, this racecourse location benefits from a number of versatile spaces including landscaped gardens and lawns. Choose from the period charm of Fontwell House, the stylish Premier Suite or wow your guests with your own theming in the Paddock Marquee. Contact our team today to discuss your ideas and see how we could turn your dream wedding plans into a reality.