MAGICAL MOMENTS

Magical REAL WEDDINGS MOMENTS

Rose and Fin Pickford tied the knot at Whirlowbrook Hall, Sheffield, with floral touches throughout and a sprinkle of magic!

Images courtesy of Ufniak Photography

Rose and Fin met via mutual friends whilst at York University back in 2013. Having purchased their first home and even adopted Figaro their pet cat, in 2019, Rose had that feeling that a proposal was on the cards. Rose remembers, “Fin had planned a day of my favourite activities for the two of us. Immediately, I was a little suspicious as I’m normally the organiser, but we went to Leeds for a day of crazy golf, bowling, and video games. Before we went out that evening for an Italian that Fin had also booked, I was sitting in our lounge minding my own business and to my surprise Fin proceeded to get down on one knee! Just before he proposed with the ring, he also gave me a present, a watch, which had engraved ‘Marry me?’ on the strap – a special touch as Fin is an avid watch collector. Knowing I’d hate a public proposal, this was perfect as we could celebrate with pizza and prosecco that evening.”

Wedding planning commenced and the couple said ‘I do’ on 21st August, 2021 at St James Church, Norton, with a reception at Whirlowbrook Hall.

Here, Rose tells us more about their day…

Our chosen venue, Whirlowbrook hall, has amazing grounds and exclusivity for the day which was an immediate draw. For favours we had sustainable and eco-friendly soap as our favours from a local Yorkshire farm, who also happened to be Fin’s cousin!

I designed the stationery myself and wanted to have the colours of my bouquet incorporated. Karen from Kurly Bird events did our centrepieces; hoops with floating candles which looked lovely and romantic on the day.

Amnesia Roses, Miss Piggy Roses, vuvuzela roses, Peach hypericum berries, white double Eustoma, white lupines, and Eucalyptus made up my bouquet. As we were originally going to get married in 2020, a family friend had agreed to drive the same wedding car that my parents used on their wedding day 37 years prior! Unfortunately, by the time our third postponed wedding date came around, the car was no longer in service. Keeping with a similar car to originally booked, we decided on a beautiful ’50s Rolls Royce.

I loved having accessories at our wedding that were personalised to us. As a Harry Potter fan, I put our sparklers in Ollivander’s box to look like wands. Another memorable musical moment was that we had Harry’s Wonderful World played by the Harmony String Quartet just as we sat down for the wedding breakfast. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to have a subtle bit of magic at our wedding!

We went for a three-tier round cake, with an ombre design of coral and sugar flowers. We went for a more modern choice of flavours: raspberry and white chocolate, lemon, and chocolate orange.

I knew I wanted a dress to hug my waist, and for it to ooze elegance. I loved everything about it apart from the sleeves when I first tried it on, so Blushes Bridal Studio were so accommodating and said they could easily remove them for me, so we did, and I loved how it made my dress feel more one of a kind to me.

ROSE’S TOP TIP! Remember to take a few moments to look who is around you and soak up their company. It’ll be one of the only times where everyone you love is in the same room and this feels really special

Harmony String Quartet played a range of songs during the reception, from Disney to jazz hits to classical music.

By night, Fin had put on a surprise and hired a saxophonist for two hours to play alongside songs from our DJ which really livened the atmosphere.

For every birthday since the age of 10, my dad would write me a poem in my card which would usually describe the events of the past year. On our wedding day, my dad included a poem as part of his speech which I wasn’t expecting. I thought this was very thoughtful and something I’ll always look back on with fond memories. It really is true when they say that the moment you see your partner at the end of the aisle, any nerves will go away. The date itself had an extra special meaning too since it was also 67 years to the day that my late grandparents tied the knot.

We decided to have dance lessons ahead of our first dance. We chose Baby I’m Yours – a nod to Sheffield with the Arctic Monkeys track but we also loved the meaning of the song and the style.

ROSE AND FIN’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK Venue, www.whirlowbrook.co.uk | Photographer, www.ufniak.co.uk | Dress, www.blushesbridal.com Hair stylist, bridal party, www.facebook.com/hairbyrebeccalcolley | Hair stylist, bride, @turtonmelanie Make-up artist, www.instagram.com/jessicakatemakeup | Suits, www.slaters.co.uk | Cake, www.theamazingcakehouse.co.uk Flowers, www.fantaildesignerflorist.co.uk | Transport, www.dovecoteweddingcars.co.uk | Venue Styling, www.kurlybirdevents.co.uk Stationery, www.leeds.minutemanpress.co.uk | Favours, www.tildastribe.co.uk | Videography, www.liamjosephphotographyandfilm.com Sweet cart supplier, @dee_edmands_ | String Quartet, www.harmonystringquartet.co.uk | Saxophonist, www.marriedttmusic.com

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102 WESTWICK ROAD, GREENHILL, SHEFFIELD, S8 7BX

Congratulations! May we take this opportunity of offering you our congratulations on your forthcoming celebration.Our aim is to make your wedding day, the most memorable occasion. Our experienced team will be pleased to advise you on your choice of wines, seating arrangements and all other items that have to be organised for you special day.

We suggest that a visit to the hotel is an essential prerequisite for you to fully appreciate the high standards.We require that you book in advance so that we can ensure one of our dedicated team can be available to discuss your individual requirements.

Originally built in 1850n the hotel is a fine example of early Victorian architecture. The building has been sympathetically extended to include 27 en-suite rooms, enhancing its original character and features. We offer special rates for yourself and any guest wishing to stay the night before your big day. All rates include a full English breakfast. The hotel can be fully exclusive if you so wish. This will have special Terms & Conditions. The hotel also offers a charming patio and landscaped gardens providing a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photographs.

Heath cottage is ideally situated within three miles of the M1 and M62 motorway networks, with Dewsbury train station less than 5 minutes away.