WEDDINGS A Christmas wedding for local couple Britt and Matt.

White Christmas Wedding

From The White House to a White Wedding during a White Christmas. The festive nuptials of Britt Elmes and Matt Bailey last December were amazing, particularly as two special guests, Snowflake and Tash, made a surprise appearance!

Wedding Photographer: Rob Smith, Milk Wood Photography, 07825 279228, www.milkwoodphotography.co.uk.

MOST OF US like Christmas, but Matt and Britt love it. That’s why, when they chose to marry, there was only one time of the year that appealed. Matt says that they both love to think differently, to really push the boat out... and that eccentricity, we reckon, is an inherently British trait. Unfortunately, for the proposal, Matt had to negotiate the rather more straight-laced and rather less idiosyncratic American guys in one of the world’s most famous buildings. “We met through work and at the time we were both nursing broken hearts. Gradually we became really good friends and then friendship blossomed into romance,” says Britt. “We got together in about 2016 and Matt had floated the idea of marriage to a generally favourable conclusion!” The couple wanted to burn through some American Express points and tick a few destinations off their bucket list, and so they embarked on a trip to America and Japan. The former seemed like a better destination for a proposal but the destinations of Times Square, the Empire State Building, Disney World and Niagara Falls had all been used to exhaustion.

There have only been a couple of proposals, however, at The White House in DC. That’s probably because in order to pop the question there, you have to deal with some rather hefty and very serious Secret Service guys: dark suits, dark glasses, discreet earpieces and concealed firearms... theirs is not exactly a profession known for its sense of levity. “Visitors aren’t generally allowed and it’s not something the British Embassy are too bothered to involve themselves in, but fortunately I was able to make contact with a local congresswoman and we ended up with an appointment to view the East Wing,” says Matt. “Unfortunately, there was still the small matter of smuggling a metal ring past a modestly-sized army of some firearmswielding staff and their X-Ray machines.” Deciding that in this case honesty would probably be better than attempted deception, Matt had a very discreet word with the aforementioned Secret Service and told them he had a concealed engagement ring. They assisted in separating him from Britt and in preserving the surprise. “I think it was at the third layer of security that a security guard purred ‘calm down, son,’ in a Transatlantic drawl, as I was obviously getting nervous and looking suspicious! I tried to leave my bag with a security guard in the corner of the room – which didn’t go down well – but happily, one of them implored his colleague to ‘C’mon, maaan,’ and I was able to propose. Almost immediately it was all over The White House, discreetly whispered into earpieces.” Back in Britain – the home of wet weather and dry humour – the couple decided that only a Christmas wedding would do. They both loved the idea of somewhere amazing and festive... but having considered Lapland, a remote castle and various other places, the logistics were already confounding. “When we found The Talbot in Oundle we nearly screamed. It had history, thick walls, open fires, it was perfect! We had a look around and were really impressed.” Britt found her fit and flare dress from Ditsy Rose from one of its 500 dresses. Matt’s suits country attire supplier A Farley of Kibworth Harcourt, and they opted for a forest green highlight colour, rather than the usual red of other Christmas weddings. >>

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

BRITT & MATT BAILEY

Wedding Ceremony and Reception: The Talbot Hotel, Oundle, 01832 273621, www.talbothotel.co.uk. Wedding Dress: Ditsy Rose, Nuneaton, 0800 2461985 www.ditsyrose.com. Groomswear: A Farley, Kibworth Harcourt, 0116 410 5440, www.afarley.co.uk. Wedding Flowers: Eden Floral, Thrapston, 01832 359139, www.flowersfromeden.co.uk. Wedding Cake: 01525 716236, www.iceddelightscakes.co.uk. Reindeer/Snow Machine: 07973 165865, www.woodbinereindeer.co.uk. Photographer/Videographer: Milk Wood Photography, milkwoodphoto@gmail.com, www.milkwoodphotography.co.uk. n

>> Wedding flowers were provided by Eden Floral of Thrapston, including luxurious romantic roses but also seasonal – and relatively inexpensive pine cones and berries to provide extra volume. The choice of menu for the couple’s wedding breakfast was easy: who doesn’t love Christmas dinner? Meanwhile, Iced Delights supplied a three-tiered cake comprising a Christmas cake layer, and an apple and cinnamon sponge and a white chocolate and raspberry tier. Any other element to make the day special? Reindeer. And as luck would have it, Steph and Nick of Woodbine Farm were able to provide Snowflake and Tash, a couple of reindeer from their 17-strong flock. The couple also hire out snow machines and so they were able to guarantee a white Christmas for the couple’s day. It also created some spectacular photographic opportunities for Rob Smith to capture. Alongside his colleague, Ravi, the two produced photos and a wedding video for what must have been one of the most exciting weddings they’ve ever shot. In fact, the couple were so thrilled with their images that they became friends with Rob and have kept in touch ever since. “We managed to reschedule our original date for a year down the line after Covid interfered. We didn’t get to go on honeymoon either so we’ve decided to owe ourselves a deferred one to Singapore, Sydney, Raratonga, Aitutaki, Moorea, Bora Bora and LA. For now though, we’re looking forward not just to a lovely family Christmas with our kids, Aurora and Madison – the first Christmas we’ve had off together in years – but also to our first anniversary!” “It was a pretty special day, and so much better by virtue of the fact that it took place so close to Christmas!” says Britt. “We loved every single moment of the whole day and wouldn’t have changed a thing!” n

Wedding Photographer: Rob Smith, Milk Wood Photography, 07825 279228, www.milkwoodphotography.co.uk. 128

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