July 2016 - An Essex Wedding

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SUMMER’S HOTTEST BOHO STYLE, BEAUTIFUL BARNS, BLOOMS & BIG-DAY BITES

Giada Serena, 27, married Michael Hollingsworth, 26, at Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Church, Stock, followed by a reception at Crondon Park on 31st March, 2016.

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REAL WEDDINGS

All you need is love Giada and Michael’s rustic-chic celebration was brimming with personal touches, pretty blooms and pink and peach hues Images courtesy of Steve Hobart Photography

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fter a few drinks and fuelled by a spot of Dutch courage, Michael danced over to Giada at an event at university, where the pair were both studying, and it’s from that point their relationship blossomed. Four years later, while the couple were enjoying a break in Eastbourne – a spot they’ve visited a few times together – Michael treated Giada to a luxury meal and overnight stay at The Grand Hotel for her birthday – and to propose! “After the meal, back in our room, I realised I’d forgotten my contact lens solution so had a strop and demanded that we go to the shops and get some,” recalls the bride. “All the while, poor Michael had the ring in his pocket and was waiting to pop the question! When we got back he got down on one knee and proposed – it was a complete surprise and he hadn’t told anyone at all that he was going to do it!”

Choosing the venue was as easy a decision as saying ‘yes’ to getting married. “As soon as we got to Crondon Park we knew it was the venue for us,” says Giada. “As we drove in we

were amazed by how beautiful the grounds were and when we entered the venue it was everything we’d dreamed of. The barn with all its beautiful beams was perfect for the style of wedding we wanted to plan and we knew that we couldn’t see ourselves getting married anywhere else so booked it right there and then,” says the bride.

PRETTY AS A PRINCESS Giada tried on more than 50 dresses and was after something with straps and lace but nothing really stood out – until she slipped into Allure Bridals’ style 9162. “When I put this dress on I felt really excited in the changing room for the first time. When I came out my mum and mother-in-law both started crying and I just knew then that it was the one!” she remembers.

The bride completed her look with a plain veil by Couture Veil, a delicate Ivory & Co. hair clip and glittery shoes from Red or Dead, which made her feel like Cinderella.

“Because my dress had a blush hue to it I

carefully chose pale peach colours for my bouquet,” Giada explains.

The groom and groomsmen all wore blue suits with peach bowties and pocket squares, and tan brogues. Michael differentiated with a grey waistcoat.

“I knew that I wanted a pale peach/nude colour for the bridesmaid dresses to complement the colour of my dress, and a style that was classic and timeless,” shares the bride.

BARN CHARM The couple opted for a rustic theme to suit the reception venue and chose flowers to match. “I wanted my bouquet to be quite natural looking with trailing foliage and ribbons,” explains Giada. The same rustic-style blooms were used for the centrepieces, with added peach roses, buttonholes and corsages.

“Our table centrepieces were jam jars decorated with hessian, lace and twine filled with a mix of white ranunculus, peach 31

REAL WEDDINGS

“

We used Pinterest a lot for inspiration. – Giada

carnations, aster and astible displayed on tree slices with crochet doilies and a couple of jars holding scented tea lights.

“We wanted something that stood out a little more for the top table so we added a heart-shaped wreath and garland made with foliage. We also dotted extra jars around the venue and had two large jugs filled with aster at the base of our card table, which our lovely florist Rachel added as a surprise!” says Giada.

The tableplan was an old white-painted stepladder with the labels pegged to twine while the tables were named after Beatles’ songs containing the word ‘love’, to reflect Michael’s admiration for the band, and each was displayed in a vintage-style photo frame.

“We called the top table ‘All you need is love’ and asked the DJ to play this as the last song of the night. It was a really lovely way to

end our wedding day,” remembers Giada.

Wanting their place names to be keepsakes, each guest’s name was stamped on to a clay hanging heart. Alongside these were tea and biscuit favours, something the couple very much enjoy together. The pair added lots of personal touches to their day including signs, a sweet table, a vintage suitcase filled with flip flops for dancing, baskets of toiletries in the ladies’ and gents’ bathrooms, bunting and a timeline of Polaroid snaps that spanned the newlyweds’ relationship, and a giant photo frame with props for guests to take photos with. “We made a last-minute decision to have light-up ‘LOVE’ letters which I’m so glad we did as they looked stunning in the barn!”

Giada and Michael’s three-tier naked cake fitted the theme perfectly. It was chocolate, Victoria sponge and lemon flavoured, and

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was decorated with heart-shaped biscuits as well as flowers.

FUN AND FROLICS Family and friends played a big part in the soundtrack to the couple’s day; the bride’s uncle played the guitar as loved ones arrived at the church, while two of the bridesmaids sung as they signed the register.

On arrival at Crondon Park, guests tucked into canapés as they toasted the bride and groom’s new married status, before enjoying a pub quiz-style game at their table.

In the evening a DJ got everyone up and dancing by playing a real range of music.

On reflection, the pair confess to feeling really nervous pre-ceremony but once they were in the church they started to relax and were overcome with happiness.y 33

Giada & Michael’s contacts Photographer Steve Hobart Photography www.stevehobartphotography.co.uk

Groom and ushers’ suits Debenhams www.debenhams.co.uk

Campervan DipDubs www.dipdubs.com

Reception venue Crondon Park www.crondonpark.com

Bridesmaids’ dresses ASOS www.asos.com

DJ DJs in Essex www.djsinessex.co.uk

Flowers Rachel Dampier Floral Design www.racheldampierfloraldesign.co.uk

Love letters, postbox and large photo frame Fairytale Finishes www.fairytale-finishes.co.uk

Bride’s dress and accessories Turner & Pennell www.turnerandpennell.co.uk Bride’s make-up AS Bridal Make-up www.asbridalmakeup.co.uk 34

Cake The Vintage Rose Catering Company www.facebook.com/ thevintagerosecateringcompany

Videographer NDR Films www.ndrfilms.co.uk