Glad Tidings Instant attraction…
It was first thing on a Monday morning on a summer day in 2007, I had an all day meeting to discuss a project I’d be working on for six months, with a colleague I didn’t know. To make things worse, my first impressions of that colleague – Phil – weren’t great. To be honest, I thought he was arrogant. To my huge surprise though, as the day wore on I realised there was a strong connection between us. By lunchtime I’d warmed to him, though I still wasn’t keen. By the end of the day I was in love! During those six months Phil and I kept things professional, but as soon as the project was over he asked me on a date. Over dinner and cocktails we discovered we only lived ten minutes apart and had grown up near each other. We even had mutual friends in common. By the second date, just two days later, Phil told me that he would marry me and that his best friend Dave would be his best man. We may have both been a little tipsy but I wasn’t scared. On the contrary, it felt so right. Even the fact that I’m only five foot and Phil is six
Bride: Kimberly Holden, 33 Groom: Phil Allen, 39 Home: Epping, Essex Venue: Tewin Bury Farm, Hertfordshire Date: December 3rd, 2010 foot two didn’t put me off – his height just made me feel loved and protected.
A whirlwind romance…
By Christmas 2007 Phil and I were inseparable and decided to move in together. We rented a beautiful converted barn in Epping. We were so content that we discussed having a baby together. Thinking it would take ages we were both stunned to discover I was pregnant just four months later. Phil was over-the-moon. He had longed to be a dad for many years. I had a fab pregnancy
and felt amazing all the way through. When I was five months gone I turned 30, and Phil arranged the trip of a lifetime for me. I had no idea where we were headed even as we got in the cab to the airport. It was only when Phil handed me a package and I opened a guidebook that I knew we were headed to New York! We had the best time and when I gave birth to our son Henry on December 30th 2008, I thought my life was complete. Of course I wanted to be Phil’s wife, but I wasn’t waiting for a proposal. I knew he would do it in his own time.
A festive proposal…
On Henry’s first birthday in 2009 Phil and I held a party at the barn. We were exhausted after the Christmas festivities and as we relaxed alone after our guest had gone we reflected on how lucky and happy we were. Suddenly Phil jumped up, headed towards the Christmas tree and dropped down on one knee. There under the twinkling fairy lights he asked me to marry him and produced a box containing a gorgeous, square cut, solitaire diamond ring. Despite the late hour I rang everyone, crying with happiness down the phone line. There and then Phil and I decided we wanted our wedding to capture that moment – an intimate celebration in a barn – at Christmas time!
Bury Farm was recommended and thank goodness we decided to visit because I fell in love with it on the spot. The barn within the complex where we would take our vows was stunning with a rustic feel and a water wheel to one side. In the Hertfordshire countryside, the setting was beautiful, and the staff were so friendly. I was worried as it was March by now and sadly the later December dates had gone, but it was available on Saturday, 3rd December, so we booked it on the spot.
Time’s a ticking…
Though we didn’t have long to arrange everything, the wedding plans seemed to flow. We only attended one wedding fair and there we met our photographer Neil Fortescue with whom we struck up an instant rapport. Phil and I loved his casual, reportage style photos. Luckily Neil was free for our celebrations. Next I chose my dress. I wanted a Christmassy feel and the wonderful strapless, beaded ivory and silver dress from Belissima won my heart. It was more Strictly Come Dancing than traditional wedding gown, it sparkled and gleamed, and when topped with a marabou feather shrug, it was true Hollywood glamour – I loved it! My two bridesmaids, cousin Emma and Jenny, Phil’s’ sister, chose long platinum grey evening dresses with stunning detailing, from Debenhams and lovely pashminas to ward off the winter cold from John Lewis. Phil, his best man Dave and ushers Sean and Peter opted for navy suits and platinum grey ties from Moss Bros.
Finishing touches…
A winter’s dream…
As soon as New Year was over Phil and I started looking for the perfect venue for our dream wedding. We looked at so many, but none really fulfilled our ideal. Food and wine were very important to us so we wanted a venue with fantastic catering, which was cosy and intimate and had accommodation attached – a tall order! Tewin
With the tough choices out of the way, including agreeing to seat my divorced parents Barbara and William and their new partners Mike and Debbie and Phil’s mum and dad Brenda and Tom on a table next to the top table, myself and my bridesmaids went shopping for the finishing touches for our outfits, shoes from Dune – with killer heels for me! Plus a 50’s style sparkly band with a flower that would complement my hair, which I’d agreed with my hairdresser to wear loose and wavy. We also chose our flowers from Elegant Stems in Bishops Stortford – a mass of roses of all sizes in ivory for me, tied with a platinum grey ribbon and topped with a brooch given to me by my Nan Violet Willis. Emma and Jenny had similar but smaller arrangements. All three bouquets shone and sparkled with glitter – so festive!
Let it snow…
The night before the wedding myself, my mum and the bridesmaids made our way to the bridal suite at Tewin Bury Farm while Phil remained at home with Henry. The plan was for me to walk from the suite to the barn the next day, but as night fell the skies opened and the snow began to fall heavily. It was going to be impossible for me to walk an inch, and I began to panic, but the staff at the farm took charge and arranged a Mercedes to make sure I got to my groom on time! As for Phil and his best man and ushers, they decided to get ready at the farm early the next morning to avoid any hitches. Reassured, I looked out of the window in amazement. If I’d wanted a Christmas wedding I certainly had it now. It looked like a winter wonderland out there!
A nice day for a white wedding…
The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear, the sun reflecting huge sheets of white snowflakes. It was a wonderful day from the start. The barn had been decorated for Christmas with chairs covered in ivory with silver sashes. There were twinkly lights everywhere and massive garlands of hearts and snowflakes. It was breathtaking. There were carols playing as I approached and bang on 12.30 I heard the strains of Canon in G. It was time for dad to walk me down the aisle. Suddenly the nerves took hold, especially when I saw Phil waiting for me with tears in his eyes. Thankfully our two wonderful registrars put us at ease. It was such a personal service as they walked from behind their table to speak to the congregation, mentioning Henry who was sat with mum and joining my hands with Phil’s as they pronounced us man and wife. The service was all I could have dreamed of, with Phil’s friend Joe doing a gorgeous reading called ‘I love you because’ and my friend Nicola reading a Pam Ayres poem called ‘I do, I do, I do’. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! As we signed the register One Day Like This by Elbow was played and as Phil and I walked back down the aisle to Stevie Wonder’s For Once in My Life, there couldn’t have been a happier couple!
Christmas trimmings…
Outside in the snow Neil rounded everyone up for one lovely group shot before mulled wine and fabulous Christmas themed canapés were served – pigs in blankets, mini Yorkshire puddings with roast beef and roast chestnuts.
Then it was off to the barn again for the wedding breakfast. The Farm did us proud with home smoked salmon followed by roast beef fillet and Madagascan vanilla cheesecake. Later Phil and I cut our cake – a tower of vanilla cupcakes with a top tier covered in seasonal fruits – delicious! After the speeches and toasts Phil and I took to the floor for our first dance – The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. As the room was cleared for the evening our band, One Foot in The Groove arrived. They were amazing and our 90 guests, (including little Henry who bopped the night away in his dinosaur jim-jams) had a ball! At Midnight Phil and I said goodnight and headed to our wonderful bridal suite. Though we were tired we really couldn’t sleep. The day had been so amazing and we sat up with shiny eyes, talking about how brilliant it had been. We both agreed that the snow had been a real gift and topped off a glorious day – one we would never forget
And baby makes four…
Following an amazing honeymoon in Antigua and a week in the Cotswolds with Henry, Phil and I were still on cloud nine. To complete our happiness we very soon fell pregnant again, and we will welcome a little brother or sister for Henry in January 2012! It’s certainly going to be a busy Christmas this year with our first anniversary, Henrys birthday and a new baby on the way, but it’s the way we like it. The festive period has always been wonderful, but for us it’s a time of extra special joy.
Recreate Kimberly and Phil’s Wedding Venue: Tewin Bury Farm www.tewinbury.co.uk a sd f
Pics: Neil Fortescue www.neilfortescue.com a sd f Florist: Elegant Stems, Bishops Stortford www.elegantstems.co.uk a sd f Dress and marabou shrug: Belissima Weddings www.bellissimaweddings.co.uk a sd f Bridesmaid dresses and pashminas: Debenhams a sd f
Shoes: Dune a sd f Hair and Make up: ‘The Make-Up Girl’, St Albans www.themakeupgirl.co.uk a sd f Grooms/ushers/best man’s suits: Moss Bros www.moss.co.uk a sd f Cake: Keely Bell a sd f Entertainment: One Foot in the Groove www.onefootinthegroove.co.uk