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Dream weddings
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A er having to move their wedding date ve times due to lockdown, Rosa and Phil Gevaux nally tied the knot with a ceremony in the woods at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park – sealed with an Apache blessing!
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Tell us about the proposal; was it expected, discussed or entirely spontaneous?
Phil: I proposed on the pier at Venice Beach, Los Angeles, whilst visiting Rosa. It felt like the right time and I was very excited, having designed and had the ring made in Hatton Garden. We got co ee to go… and Rosa paid. I waited until we were on the pier, and I wrapped the ring in a $10 bill and said that I had her change.
Rosa: It was completely unexpected, and I was so overwhelmed. Phil got quite ustered as I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t let me buy him breakfast and was insisting on giving me $10.
What made you choose Jimmy’s Farm for your big day?
We had visited Jimmy’s Farm for special events multiple times, and it was one of our ‘ours’ places. Speci cally, we love the animal park and it just felt like ‘us’. Really, Teddy the tapir was a big draw – we couldn’t really imagine getting married without him participating somehow. Honestly though, with the prospect of Rosa’s family coming from the States, we wanted to show them the beauty of the Su olk countryside – and what better place than the beautiful grounds of Jimmy’s Farm?
When did you start to plan your wedding?
Living nearly 6,000 miles apart, we knew early on in our relationship that marriage was the only way we could truly be together, and we were always happy with that idea. We always knew some things we did and didn’t want on the day, but the pandemic required lots of exibility. Once we had a date, the wedding was properly planned in about four months.
How was planning your wedding during the pandemic?
Wedding planning during the pandemic was, equal parts, frustrating and disappointing. We moved the wedding date a total of ve times… e registry o ce rules kept changing, and in the end, we just had to take a risk and luckily it paid o and we are able to have our wedding in-between waves and lockdowns. Sadly, the majority of American guests, including some members of the wedding party just couldn’t make it, but Rosa’s parents and a couple of friends were able to be here, helping make the day special.
Tell us about your ceremony – was anything special to you as a couple incorporated?
Phil: e ceremony in the woods was something I always wanted. It was made even more special by an Apache blessing by Rosa’s father, Joseph, and a speech by my father, David.
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Rosa: To me, creating our own vows and reading them to each other was really important. I walked down the aisle with both parents accompanying me, and a ridiculously long veil allowing me to live out my Disney princess dreams.
How was your wedding breakfast?
All the food on the day was incredible. While getting ready, the bridal party enjoyed incredible pastries and sausage rolls in the Hay Barn. They were legitimately the biggest sausage rolls we’d ever seen and tasted amazing.
After the ceremony, guests had a champagne toast and canapes. Our wedding breakfast was a three-course meal held in the restaurant at Jimmy’s Farm.
The catering was incredible, and the service staff went above and beyond. We had several food allergies amongst the guests, and they were accommodated so well… To us, the food and the music were two of the most important things, and having visited the farm before, we knew we would be getting a fantastic meal.
What did you do to make your wedding personal to you both?
Our wedding was about us, our families, and building our community. We themed the tables in the restaurant after our favourite movies and shows, giving each a fantasy location that we both loved… We had a table showcasing the wedding photos of each set of grandparents and parents, and some childhood photos, making sure our histories and lineage were well represented and honoured on the day.
What was your most memorable part of the day?
Phil: The woodland ceremony for me. Seeing Rosa walk through the trees towards me.
Rosa: The most memorable part of the day was directly after the ceremony, walking down the hill out of the woods. We were covered in flowers, hand in hand, laughing, smiling, relieved that everything had gone so well, and that we finally, after years of waiting, had had our wedding. I felt so happy at that moment, and while we were followed by the whole of the wedding party and guests, it felt like we were the only people in the whole farm park.
Where did you have your evening reception and what entertainment did you have?
Over the course of the day, we had incredible magic performed for us by Nick Brown, and Holly Sarah Radford beautifully sang Rosa down the aisle. Our evening reception was in the tent, and it was lovely to be surrounded by the lush herb garden, the outdoor firepit, and wind rushing across the fields. Our evening entertainment was supplied by Si Cranstoun and his band, and they did an incredible job. Everyone was dancing and it was an amazing party.
Where did you go on honeymoon or what do you plan to do?
We are still waiting for the right time for our honeymoon, as the world is still waking up. We are planning on Italy, hopefully, as since watching Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy, we have become obsessed with pasta and cheese, or perhaps a return to Nice, in the south of France, where we had our first date in 2015.
What was your favourite wedding purchase?
We both feel that the rings are our favourite. Vince at The Wedding Ring Workshop on Hatton Garden was awesome.
Do you have any tips for future couples?
Remember, it’s YOUR wedding. Be honest about what each of you want and what makes you both happy. It can be so easy to get caught up in all of the ideas and the planning, you can forget that it’s supposed to be fun.
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Photographer: Abigail Steed Photography Celebrant: Natasha Radford, the couple’s friend Bride’s dress & accessories: Olia Zavozina (dress bought brand-new from a charity shop), veil from Pretty Dresses on eBay, Jean Bolero ivory knit from Collectif Groom’s suit: Moss Bros Bridesmaids’ dresses & accessories: David’s Bridal and the bride’s personal collections Hairdresser & makeup artist: Le Keux Essex Rings: Engagement ring from Wyatt Jewellery, wedding rings from the Wedding Ring Workshop Groomsmen’s suits: The best man wore a tailored suit from his own wedding Cake: Anne’s Cake Creations of Sudbury Flowers: Jade’s Flowers, Essex Entertainment: Singer Holly Sarah Radford, The Essex Magician Nick Brown, Si Cranstoun and his band Table plan & stationery: Designed by the couple and made by hand or printed locally Place settings: Panda Made Props: Bought on Etsy, supporting local businesses and artisans in Essex/Suffolk Table Numbers: Hand-painted by the bride’s father, Joseph M Sanchez Flower arch: Created by the couple Transport: Centaur Coaches
Totally wild, totally unique The farm hosts the most amazing wedding celebrations across East Anglia. On such a momentous day, you deserve nothing but the best of local food and a little bit of countryside living. A relaxed and beautifully rural venue that offers everything you dream of and now taking bookings for 2024. For more information, ideas, and inspiration, head over to our Instagram page @Jimmys_Farm_Weddings. For a tour, email weddings@jimmysfarm.com
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