PRETTY IN PINK

REAL WEDDINGS in pink PRETTY Ceri and Michael opted for a pink palette for their day’s styling, which featured both bold and subtle hues

Images courtesy of Caroline White Photography

Ceri and Michael both belonged to North Wales-based running club The Nightcrawlers when they met, and it was during one of their runs through the muddy, wet woods and mountains of North Wales that they started chatting for the first time. Ceri works for Snowdonia Cheese Company and was telling her auntie about her day at work as they jogged along. Michael overheard this and boldly proclaimed: “I don’t like cheese!” Certainly a conversation starter!

Michael proposed in the couple’s favourite spot on Anglesey, Rhoscolyn’s headland. “He got down on one knee on the cliffs above a beautiful rock archway. I was photographing it when I turned to find him presenting me with the most incredible engagement ring,” Ceri remembers.

The venue search was on and the couple chose Arley Hall in Cheshire as the place that would have the honour of hosting their big day. “It is absolutely stunning in every way. It’s both majestic and perfectly maintained despite its age. The grounds surrounding the Hall are beautifully kept and the staff couldn’t be more helpful,” Ceri explains.

Join us as the bride gives us the lowdown on W-day, 6th May, 2022...

I felt very relaxed and took it all in, but Michael was nervous before the ceremony. He settled in to the day later though and we both loved it so much.

I had the most gorgeous mix of pink flowers in my bouquet. It included garden roses, peonies, astilbe, hypericum berries, anemones, ranunculus, eucalyptus, parviflora, green thalaspi, celosia and eryngiums, and was finished with cerise satin material wrapped around the stems.

The church ceremony was incredibly special. I’ve frequented the church since I was born, so it was amazing to finally be married there. I wore Pepper by Hayley Paige. As soon as I tried it on I absolutely fell in love. It was the perfect blend of princess style and a more fitted silhouette. I paired it with a Swarovski crystal necklace and droplet earrings. My shoes were sparkly Kurt Geiger heels, and I later changed into a pair of glittery Kate Spade trainers allowing me to dance the night away.

The groom and his groomsman wore the same navy tweed-style three piece suits, personalised with a distinctive floral lining embossed with ‘Ceri & Michael 6th May 2022.’ Michael wore a bold pink tie and pocket square, while his groomsman’s accessories were blush pink. His suit was further personalised with pink buttonholes and he wore cufflinks made from amethyst geo, to reflect his career as geologist.

Our favours were wooden coasters with our guests’ names engraved on them. We wanted something that people would be able to keep. It’s great to visit friends’ and family’s homes now and see them on their coffee tables! The table plan featured jars of pink flowers matching my bouquet The reception tables were all named after our favourite places. Rhoscolyn was the name of the top table as this is where we got engaged.

Michael is a geologist, so we went back to Anglesey a couple of weeks before the wedding and borrowed lots of pretty rocks from near the spot we got engaged. We had them dotted around the venue, forming part of the centrepieces. Each table also had a gorgeous goblet of bright pink flowers at the centre. Our four-tier cake of lemon, vanilla and chocolate was iced in white and decorated with bright pink and navy dots.

We started the day’s dining with a selection of five canapés that seemed to never stop coming! Our three-course wedding breakfast featured leek and potato soup, roast chicken with roast potatoes and mixed root vegetable mash, and chocolate brownie with white chocolate ice cream and caramelised popcorn to finish. In the evening we had fish and chips, plus a variety of pizzas. The food throughout was sensational!

The best entertainment for our guests during the day was the venue! They loved exploring the incredible rooms, especially the Library. Our photographer, Caroline White, was phenomenal from start to finish. From our very first Zoom call we had such a laugh and could see how passionate she was about providing a great level of personal customer service, alongside an incredible standard of photography. She made us feel so relaxed and brought a sense of fun to the entire day. Along with the video footage captured by Sam from Woodpecker Films, these images provide wonderful memories of the most special day of our lives.

During the evening live band Ukebox entertained us all and we can’t recommend them enough. They engaged everyone of all ages and were great fun. They play ukuleles and percussion instruments with utensils, such as an electric drum kit with spoons!

We’d been taking dance lessons and learned to do a Viennese waltz. We performed it to our song, Tightrope by Michelle Williams, from The Greatest Showman and finished with a move called the death drop!!

THE WEDDING’S TEAM

Venue, Arley Hall and Gardens, www.arleyhallandgardens.com Photographer, Caroline White Photography, www.carolinewhitephotography.co.uk Bride’s dress, Cheshire Bridal Boutique Jewellery and accessories, Swarovski Bridesmaids’ dresses, ASOS Hair stylist, Defining Hair and Beauty, www.facebook.com/people/Defining-Hair-and-Beauty/100028253366723 Make-up artist, Sarah Dunn, www.sarahdunnmakeup.co.uk Suits, Moss Bros Cake, Bake UA Cake, https://bake-ua-cake.business.site Flowers, Flourish Flowers, https://flourishflowers.uk Transport, East Lancashire Wedding Car Hire, https://eastlancashireweddingcarhire.co.uk Stationery, Atelier Rosemood, www.rosemood.co.uk Catering, Barretts Events Caterers, www.barrettseventcaterers.com Ceri’s wedding ring, John Pass Jewellers, www.johnpass.co.uk Michael’s wedding ring, Gasia, https://gasia.co.uk Entertainment, Ukebox, www.ukeboxband.co.uk

THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR PERFECT DAY

Arley Hall was lovingly built as a family home in the 19th Century, however nowadays it creates the perfect wedding venue for your special day.

With a beautiful wedding preparation suite, breath-taking ceremony & reception spaces and on site wedding night accommodation all located at the centre of a 2,000 acre country estate.

We will make our home yours for the day, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere for you and your guests.

For more information or to book a personal viewing please call our weddings team on 01565 777 353 or email events@arleyhallandgardens.com

www.arleyhallandgardens.com

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