WEDDINGS Steven and Sarah marry at Grantham’s Stoke Rochford Hall.

Our Beacon of Light

The wedding day of Steven & Sarah was something to look forward to, amid Sarah’s work looking after poorly people during Covid and Steven’s very busy career with the Red Bull Formula One racing team. This is the story of love in the fast lane!

Wedding Photographer: Gina Fernandes Photography, www.ginafernandesphotography.co.uk.

“IT WAS A SORT OF BEACON OF LIGHT,” say Sarah and Steven Nash. “The thought of enjoying our wedding day very much kept us going through the past year or two.” Sarah was born and raised just about on the Leicestershire border, whilst Steven is a Bristolian. The two met when they were studying at the University of Brighton and have been together for just over a decade. Sarah took a job as a respiratory physiotherapist – rehabilitating those with breathing difficulties – and has therefore been very much on the frontline of the battle against Covid. Steven, meanwhile, works with the Red Bull Formula One racing team and travels abroad frequently to coordinate the team’s digital marketing and media activities. On one visit to South America to cover the Mexican Grand Prix, Steven and his friend found themselves in the wrestling ring having a few larks which resulted in a bad injury to his back. During his recovery, Sarah joined him on a trip to Texas to enjoy a road trip, and it was there that Steven decided to pop the question. “I made her wait a little bit for an engagement, but I was quite proud to be able to drop down on one knee,” says Steven. “Since then she’s worked so hard, especially during Covid and it’s really given us something to look forward to.” “The original plan was to marry with a fairly large number of friends and family but as restrictions continued we felt it was important that we adhered to all of the guidance and kept everyone safe.” “The wedding venue is usually the first thing that couples book, but in our case, the last-minute venue change just a couple of months before the day itself necessitated a rapid rethink of our plans.”

“As it turned out though, it was a stroke of serendipity. We had a look around Grantham’s Stoke Rochford Hall, phoning up on Thursday and booking an appointment to view it on Saturday. Immediately we fell in love with the place, it was so beautiful with stunning grounds.”

“The team were really amazing too, so helpful, doing everything they could to accommodate us even at relatively short notice. We’d definitely recommend the place as a venue for anyone planning to marry.”

“We held our ceremony in the orangery, which was really light and beautiful. Even though the guest list had been cut down, initially to 30 and then to just 15, it still felt full.”

“We held the reception in the venue’s library, and used the grounds for our photos, so it was perfect – a complete wedding venue.”

“It was important to us that we used as many local wedding suppliers as possible, as we wanted to support local businesses, and that proved to be a good idea because when our plans changed they were so accommodating – we think that just proves why people should shop locally.”

“Our wedding florist was Vicki McDavid of Paisley Flower Co, based in Rutland. Sarah really loves flowers and this element of the day was really important to her. Vicki provided mood boards, she was so creative and she contributed ideas without being overbearing, it was lovely to work with someone with such talent.” >>

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

STEVEN & SARAH

Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Stoke Rochford Hall, 01476 530337, www.stokerochfordhall.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: www.monsoon.co.uk. Wedding Floristry: Paisley Flower Co, Rutland, 07789 153383, www.paisleyflower.co.uk. Wedding Cake: Lily & Honey Bakery www.lilyandhoneybakery.co.uk. Wedding Rings: Heidi Kjeldsen, 01572 722666, heidikjeldsen.co.uk. n

“We were really lucky with the local suppliers that we have and the support of our family... it was a lovely day!”

>> “Our wedding cake artists were Nicole and Robert of our local bakery, Lily & Honey Bakery. We buy bread and cakes from there each week and they provided a really wonderful two-tier Victoria sponge and chocolate semi-naked cake.”

“Gina, our photographer, was the best we could every hope for; we’re thrilled with the images she’s taken of us, and the way she captured the day. And Helen, our hair stylist, is a friend of Sarah’s sister Katherine. She travelled down from Manchester – where she’s based... on her birthday!” “It really was an amazing day and one of the best memories we’ll have is the fact that Sarah’s grandfather, Patrick, was there to see us marry. Sadly he’s since died, so it means a lot to us to have that memory of him being there with us on the day.” “We were really lucky with the local suppliers that we have and with the love and support of our family; it was a lovely day. We enjoyed every single second of it!” n

Wedding Photographer: Gina Fernandes Photography, www.gina fernandesphotography.co.uk.