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The proposal…
James and Alana met over drinks in a bar close to where they both work in London. A dinner at Yauatcha restaurant marked the beginning of their relationship, and this was followed by drinks at a few bars in Soho. "It went amazingly well, and we're still very happy," says James, who proposed to Alana in December, 2008 during dinner while they were on holiday in Barbados.
"It was a lovely surprise that she said yes," says James. With only six months to go, they had the task of planning and organising the wedding. Alana recalls the memories of their big day. Alana Shares the memories of their big day.
The venues…
We loved visiting different venues, although having so many beautiful options made it difficult to choose. We chose Highclere Castle for its stunning location, amazing food and fantastic service. Having exclusive use of the venue made it truly special, and the staff were very helpful with planning the day.
The dress…
I wanted a dress that was contemporary but with a fitted bodice and the drama of a full skirt. I was looking for a particular design and found it in a boutique bridal shop. When my maid-of-honour saw me in the dress, she jumped off the sofa and said that it was definitely the one. That was the only endorsement I needed.
James wore an ivory waistcoat and cravat with a bespoke William Hunt morning suit, while the ushers wore morning suits with waistcoats to match the bridesmaids' cappuccino dresses.
The decorative touches…
We wanted to add a contemporary feel to the traditional style of the library, where our wedding breakfast was held. For the table centrepieces, we had tall, slim vases filled with white orchids. Each vase was mounted on mirrors, and illuminated at the base. The top table was accented with ivory church candles, and white flowers in silver buckets and mirrored containers. Our evening celebration was held in the saloon, which has a magnificent vaulted ceiling.
The best bits…
One of the highlights of the day was our four-tier cake which stood beautifully next to the sweeping staircase leading from the saloon to the gallery. It came in three flavours - strawberries and champagne, passion fruit and tropical fruits, and heavenly chocolate.
Top tips…
Don't underestimate the amount of planning required, and involve family and friends. Deal with any family politics upfront. More importantly, relax and enjoy the whole experience.
Useful Contacts:
Flowers
Mary Jane Vaughan
www.maryjanevaughan.co.uk |
Groom's suit
William Hunt by Hugh Harris
www.hughharris.co.uk |
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Photogrpher
Hayley Bray
www.hayleybray.com |
Wedding cake
Linda Fripp
www.lindafripp.co.uk |
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