WEDDINGS Celebrating Tom

MEANT to BE

High School sweethearts Laura & Tom first met in their teens, to later find each other again in a world full of common interests and rekindle an everlasting love affair...! Photographer: Lee Daniels Photography, 07738 255683, www.leedanielsphotography.com

This month’s couple, Laura & Tom met at a mutual friends party at the age of 14 and 15 respectively. After growing apart for a few years they later found each other again whilst Laura was at university and have been together ever since.

“I have always been in the area but Tom’s father was in the RAF so he moved around a lot; in fact he was born in Dundee.”

WEDDING SUPPLIERS TOM & LAURA SMITH

“The funny thing is that even though we met locally, Tom’s father is from East Kilbride - which is where my mother’s family live - so it’s a small world!”

“Tom works as a chef and I’m a food buyer for a company that sells to the national supermarkets. My degree is in Biomedical Science so I have no idea how we both ended up in careers that revolve around food... but at least we always have something to talk about!”

“On Christmas Eve a few years ago, Tom and I were sitting on the sofa and he said ‘Do you want to open your stocking?’ –Tom never makes me a stocking so my instant response was ‘Why? What’s in there?’”

“He insisted, and to my surprise I reached in and found a ring box. I pulled it out and turned around to find Tom on one knee. I love Christmas so it was the perfect time for him to ask me to marry him!”

Laura & Tom started planning their wedding almost straight away. “It was so important to me that we found a venue before we did anything else so that all the details would be in keeping with wherever we picked.”

Wedding Venue: Orton Hall, 01733 391111, bestwestern.co.uk Wedding Dress: Shades of White, 01480 464774, shades-of-white.co.uk. Photographer: Lee Daniels Photography, 07738 255683, www.leedanielsphotography.com Venue Decoration & Lighting: Strobe Disco Roadshow, 01780 470 983, strobediscoroadshow.co.uk. Wedding Cake: Two Little Cats, 07540 943143, twolittlecats.co.uk. Bridal Hair: Studio 88, 0808 123 4088, studio-88.co.uk. Venue Decor: Ambience Venue Styling, 0800 043 9163, www.ambiencevenuestyling.com. n

“We loved our wedding venue and will be sure to go back many times over the next few years. It was a hidden gem for me.”

“I’d never heard of Orton Hall, though we only live 20 minutes away. As soon as I saw the orangery where we held the ceremony, I was sold. It made such a big impression and I knew our guests would love it - even more it was a deal maker knowing we could have the ceremony and reception in one place.”

“My parents bought my dream dress for me. It was a LouLou Bridal dress from Shades of White. It was actually the dress I had my eye on when I walked past the window a few months before!”

“It was an off the shoulder design with the neckline I wanted and an A-Line skirt in mikado material. It didn’t have a train, which would have been the deal breaker but luckily, the lovely ladies in the shop said it could be made with a train that had pearls down the back which was just amazing!”

“My sister served as my maid of honour and added the finishing touch; a beautiful pearl belt which added extra meaning and sentiment. I also had a massive three tier, 12ft veil which gave the big statement I was looking for.”

Laura says her most memorable moment from the day was the moment they saw each other at the end of the aisle. “It will stay in my mind forever. After months of planning, it all felt worth it in that moment.”

“Our first dance was also a moment to treasure. The whole day was full of family and friends but those three minutes felt like it was just us.” >>

“Our wedding catchphrase was me saying ‘my day, my way.’ If I was allowed whatever I wanted for the day, Tom would get whatever honeymoon he wanted...”

“Our wedding catchphrase throughout was ‘my day, my way’ which meant that if I could have whatever I wanted for the day, Tom would get whatever honeymoon he wanted... it seemed like a fair compromise.”

This meant the couple celebrated in Disney World, Florida. “Unconventionally, my mum, dad and my sister joined us on the second week (in a separate resort!),” says Laura.

“Although it may sound strange, it was such a lovely thing to share with them and we will have those memories forever.”

For both Laura and Tom, some advice to other couples getting married would be to take a deep breath and don’t let the little things bother you.

“Also, go away straight after the wedding - whether it’s two weeks or a few days - there is nothing better than that little ‘bubble’ of just being husband and wife, soaking up each other’s company!”

“The run up to the wedding is so hectic and you have such little quality time just the two of you, it’s nice to relax and be with your favourite person.” n

Weddings at Barton Hall for a HAPPILY EVER AFTER

CHOOSING WHERE TO SAY ‘I DO!’ IN THE COOLER MONTHS JUST BECAME EASIER THANKS TO BARTON HALL HOTEL IN BARTON SEAGRAVE, WITH ITS GRADE I LISTED ORANGERY AND PICTURE-PERFECT 16TH CENTURY COUNTRY MANSION SETTING...

Finding the perfect wedding venue will be one of the biggest decisions of your Wedding Day. Fortunately, you won’t be disappointed if you choose the spectacular Grade II Listed Barton Hall as the venue to say ‘I Do...’ especially for a winter wedding, says the hotel’s Wedding Coordinator Becky Jackson. “There are few places more idyllic than Barton Hall with its picture perfect Grade I listed Orangery, manicured lawns, trees and foliage and idyllic chandeliers in the beautiful Charles Suite giving a unique venue for you to create memories…” “The AA four-star Country House Hotel was once the home of the legendary Charles Wicksteed, namesake of Wicksteed Park and now boasts 29 individually styled bespoke bedrooms including a stunning four poster Bridal Suite. The Vines Brasserie offers superb food and is open daily to the general public, as well as for exclusive Wedding Day hire. The Hotel and Restaurant is then closed to the public and will be exclusively yours for the whole day.” “The hotel offers a variety of function spaces from the Beautiful Charles Suite with a capacity of 180. This room boasts magnificent Chandeliers and you can dazzle your guests under it for your first dance together as well as the Garden Room overlooking the lawns with a capacity of 50 for the smaller more intimate gathering.” “You will enjoy the unique Orangery in the Grounds for your Civil Ceremony or your drinks reception if you are having a Church or Registry Office ceremony beforehand. You will also be the only bride at Barton Hall as we ensure a ‘one bride policy’ so that we can ensure all the focus is on our couple’s wedding all day long.”

“With spacious and bespoke luxurious bedrooms that offer period features whilst being very well appointed, it gives any bridal party the ideal place to get ready before you say ‘I Do.’” “We are proud and feel very lucky to host over 80 weddings each year. Our Brides and Grooms say how wonderful the venue is and

we also understand here at Barton Hall how important a Wedding Day is and so have put together a wonderful Wedding Package for our couples, howev er, if you’re looking for something a little different and the package is not to your liking, we can look at a bespoke package so we can try and meet your every need!” n

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Wedding Cake Trends Local cake artist Dawn Blunden offers her insight into 2020/2021 Wedding Cake trends...

1. Deckle-Edging: If you’re seeking a more contemporary twist on the traditional tiered cake, Deckle Edging refers to a rough or uncut finish. 2. Naked Cakes: Ideal for rustic weddings, especially when embellished with seasonal fruit and when you and you guests prefer sponge to fruit cakes. 3. Alternative Cakes: If you’re not a fan of traditional cake, alternatives include savoury cheese or if you still have a sweet tooth, cupcake towers. 4. Metallics, Marble and Stained Glass: This is one cake trend to look out for, with texture and designed surfaces set to prove popular this year. Choices include cakes with edible gold leaf, edible copper paint, marble, stained glass and polished ‘stone’ finishes. 5. Macarons: Towers of macarons as a multi-colour table centrepiece or to embellish your traditional wedding cake. 6. Edible Flowers: Still the preserve of traditional wedding cake artists, edible flowers are sustainable, and romantic. They look great cascading down your wedding cake. n

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