Bride’s name: Hettie Long (was Wright) Grooms name: Toby Long Home town: Colchester Ceremony venue: Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Yaxley Reception venue: Yaxley Hall Wedding date: 25th May 2012
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How did you meet?
Toby:
Toby and I met in 2004 when I was 15 and he was 17. At the time he was the base player in a band and I went to a gig he was doing. I remember saying ‘he is gorgeous’ to my sister as he walked across the room!
Tell us about the wedding day.
I met my Dad, my 2 best men, and usher for a full English breakfast!!! We then travelled to the venue we had booked for our Wedding night, a beautiful converted barn with a balcony overlooking an orchard. I gave them their thank you gifts – engraved hip flasks reading ‘best man for a day, best friend for a lifetime’ and ‘I get by with a little help from my friends. After getting ready we left for the church and waited outside in the sunshine greeting our guests. I felt nervous but also excited about the arrival of my bride.
Hettie:
Tell us about the wedding planning.
How did he/she propose?
Toby asked me to meet him at the park after work. I arrived to find my baby boy Charley sitting on a rug, a picnic hamper of goodies, bubbles on ice, bunting reading ‘MARRY ME’ and Toby on one knee with my engagement ring. It was very special!
What were your initial ideas on what you wanted for the wedding day? (For example, time of year, theme, colours etc)
We decided on a spring/summer wedding. I did some research on wedding blogs and looked through magazines for inspiration. My initial ideas involved very light pinks and creams, with a romantic vintage theme. I made mood boards and as I was flicking through magazines I cut bits out and stuck them on the mood board.
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Toby was responsible for the photographer, videographer and band. I left it totally to him and he did a fantastic job! We searched for venues first and when we saw Yaxley Hall we knew it was the one! It was a beautiful country venue that had a lovely homely feel to it. As the planning progressed I saw some tutu skirts for my flower girls, I imagined them wearing them. When they arrived they were a blush colour, described as ‘vintage pink which set the colour scheme! I added personal touches to the day by decorating wooden freestanding table numbers with a distressed look. For name places I used brown parcel tags and attached a handmade corsage to them. We attached shabby chic white hearts to the chairs in the marquee and used white picture frames for the table plan. Continuing the vintage theme we scattered birdcages around the marquee which were draped in ivy and cream roses and we had cream vintage suitcases for our cards and gifts.
My little boy woke as at 6.30am. We got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. Our hairdresser arrived at the barn at 7.30am. Make up was also started (one of my bridesmaids is a makeup artist!) We then made our way to Yaxley Hall where there was a champagne brunch waiting for us. I gave my bridesmaids and maid of honour their thank you gifts. I then had my make up done before getting dressed. The videographer and photographer were there the whole time and were fantastic. It was lovely to know all these special moments were being recorded. Once we were all ready we went downstairs to find the vintage cream Morris minor convertible waiting. The bridesmaids went to the church and I had a few moments with my wonderful Dad before it returned for us. I didn’t feel nervous, just excited! We asked our sisters to do our readings – one of my sisters and one of Toby’s. The service was amazing and I walked out of the church elated that I was Toby’s wife. Toby and I went back to Yaxley Hall in the Wedding car, greeted by champagne, pimms and our wedding Butler Richard, who was so attentive throughout the day. Our guests enjoyed playing croquet in Yaxley Hall grounds whilst sipping on champagne and eating delicious canapés. We kept our professional photos to the minimum as we wanted the photography to reflect a more reportage style, which allowed more time for us to also enjoy the drinks reception with our guests! At the Wedding Breakfast Toby was keen to have speeches first so he could relax during supper. Toby surprised everyone with a wonderful speech – he made a film that had the whole marquee in tears, including me! The weather was fantastic, the sun shone all day. Our guests took full advantage of the beautiful grounds of Yaxley Hall and the vintage ice cream cart, which arrived after the main course. At 8pm our evening guests arrived and we had first dip of our white chocolate fountain before cutting our fabulous cupcake wedding cake. Our cake toppers were 3 very sweet wooden birds – one for Toby wearing a bowtie, a pink one for me wearing a veil and a tiny one for our little boy. He was very much part of our special day. Our first dance was to a cover by Natasha Bedingfield of Snow Patrol Chasing Cars. During the evening we decided on serving a cheese board, which was delicious. At the end of the night our Wedding Butler and Best Men arranged our guests into an arch and lit sparklers, Toby and I walked through the arch leading to our car to take us to our hotel!
What did you both do the night before the wedding?
Toby stayed at our home in Colchester with his 2 best men. They ate fish and chips and had an early night!!!! I was with my parents and rest of my family at a gorgeous barn we rented close to Yaxley Hall. There were 20 of us staying at the barn including my little boy.
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What was your favourite moment of the whole day?
We loved the ceremony - the vows that we said to each other were so deep and meaningful, we cherish the moment we said ‘I will’. Driving back from the church to the venue meant Toby and I had a few moments alone, we were so elated at what had just happened! I loved the speech that Toby did – it meant so much to me.
Were there any surprises on the day?
Toby and I bought each other little gifts and cards for the wedding morning – we had a £30 budget but both blew it!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went to a honeymoon cottage in Devon with our son. We had a lovely break enjoying fish and chips on the beach and champagne in the hot tub!
Any plans for the future?
For now we want to enjoy married life bringing up our little boy, but eventually would like to buy a bigger house and expand our family.
Do you have any advice for other couples?
When it comes to the actual day relax and enjoy – try to think that everything has been done that can be done, Cherish every moment you have of just the 2 of you on the wedding day!
Recreating
Toby and Hetties W e d d i n g VIDEOGRAPHER
www.cameraonfilms.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHER
www.justineferrariphotography.co.uk ICE CREAM CART
www.daisygrazing.co.uk HAIR
www.ameliagarwood.com BAND
www.ipopband.co.uk CARS
www.aristoclassics.com SUITS
www.jackbunneys.co.uk DRESS
www.serenitybrides.com CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN
www.aandmevents.co.uk
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