INSTANT ATTRACTION

from Your Yorkshire Wedding - Issue 52 January/February 2022

by County Wedding Magazines

GROOMS' NEWS

attraction INSTANT

Charlie and Jessica tied the knot at Hollins Hall Hotel & Country Club with a rustic themed wedding

Images courtesy of Drawn By Light Photography

Jessica and Charlie Hogg met through friends and fell in love instantly. Jessica tells us, “We’re extremely similar to one another, we’re each other’s best friends and soul mates.” Charles popped the question in December 2019 when he took her to admire the view from one of Ilkley’s famous rock formations, the cow and calf. Jessica remembers, “I turned around and he was down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was a huge surprise; my mum and dad knew and had a bottle of champagne waiting for when we went to tell them.”

The big day was set for 16th July, 2021 taking place at Hollins Hall Hotel & Country Club.

SETTING THE SCENE

Choosing the venue was the easiest decision. Jessica relays, “We always had Hollins Hall in mind as my mum and dad got married there 20 years ago. It’s a stunning place and brings back lots of memories, it was the perfect venue for us.”

Settling on a rustic theme for the styling, they chose lace and hessian touches throughout. The chairs were tied with a hessian and lace bow, the centrepieces were wooden slabs with a fishbowl vase containing pine cones and fairylights. There were also pillar candles, with hessian and lace wrapped around the bottom. Adding to the woodland style, each table was named after a different tree.

The cake table wasn’t to be missed as Jessica describes, “We had a three-tier, love-heart-shaped pork pie cake. The company decorated it with hessian, ribbon and pinecones to fit with our theme. It was also presented on a wooden log. My sister also baked cupcakes that were displayed on a three-tier homemade wooden cake stand which was crafted by my dad and Charlie.”

LOOKING THE PART

Jessica’s figure-hugging, sweetheart necked Kenneth Winston gown looked picture perfect. Jessica tells us, “My dress was from Bridal Apparel in Rawdon. I liked the tighter fitting dress – and the corset back was stunning, with its long train with lace detail. The veil was made specially to match the lace detail on the train. I had a hair vine in my hair to accessorise, I didn’t feel the dress needed any more dressing up.”

Charlie looked the part with his white tuxedo jacket. Whilst the groomsmen all wore black complete with waistcoat and pocket watch.

Adding a pop of colour to the occasion, Jessica chose red peonies, white and red roses with eucalyptus and Italian ruscus. The buttonholes were all white roses with eucalyptus leaves.

The bridesmaids wore long off the shoulder dresses in burgundy to complement the bouquets, however it was the diamond necklace that the bride gifted them to wear on the day that really completed the look.

TIME TO CELEBRATE

The staff at Hollins Hall all went above and beyond to make sure the happy couple were looked after all day. Having family all together again was so special as the new Mrs Hogg remembers, “All the speeches on the day brought so much emotion to everyone. The speeches made myself and Charlie both feel extremely loved. I honestly couldn’t pick my favourite part of the day, the whole event was so amazing and surreal.”

Due to Covid restrictions, Jessica and Charlie arranged a second evening do a few months later when they all had the perfect excuse to wear their outfits again and dance the night away! Jessica explains, “At first, we were a bit upset that we couldn’t have a dance with all our family on our big day but it actually worked out for the best. On our wedding day, we had our first dance outside and then sat out on the lawn in the sunshine. We were so lucky with the weather, it was glorious. It gave us the opportunity to talk to our guests and spend time with them. I wouldn’t

MAKING MEMORIES

“Lisa, our photographer, was the best decision we made with the wedding planning. It was a very emotional day and it’s difficult taking it all in at the time, but having such amazing pictures to look back on is the best feeling in the world. Looking back through our pictures, where Lisa has captured so much emotion, it’s like reliving our day all over again. We’ll be able to look back on our pictures for years to come and bring back so many amazing memories. She made everyone feel so at ease and it shows in the images she’s captured.”

THE GETAWAY

Following the main event, the couple took a week off to settle into married life where they enjoyed a spa evening at the Chevin Country Park Hotel and Spa, followed by a mini-break in York. Now the couple have plans to honeymoon abroad when the restrictions ease.