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Amandine and Andrew, March 2008
Coltsford Mill
Our theme combined thistle’s and roses and floral patterns as well as the colour blue which was used as our main colour throughout the whole wedding by incorporating the colour into the smaller details.
Amandine and Andrew’s Story
The Proposal
On our anniversary February 14th 2007 Andrew gave me a card and inside he mentioned how much I meant to him and towards the end it said “and in all these eight years we have been together we have never been to a city of love, would you like to go with me?’” He told me we were going to Venice and he had got permission from my workplace. I was so shocked. It was a lovely surprise as it had been a difficult year.
On the third day of our weekend break Andrew proposed to me at the top of the Campanile Tower in St. Marks Square. It was a cold day and he mentioned that his hands were cold, I looked down at his hands to reach for them to warm them up and there was a shiny gold ring with a diamond. I was so shocked I could not believe it, he then asked if I would spend the rest of my life with him.
The Outfits
The Bride – My dress was from Maggie Sottero and it was a one-piece, lace over satin, strapless, A-line, corset back gown. Rich lace sparkles with crystals beaded on the gown for a shimmering effect. Scalloped lace dances on the neckline and hemline of the gown in a white diamond colour. I wore ivory shoes from John Lewis with a diamante strap.
The Bridesmaids – They wore a pale petrol blue dress from Fenn, Wright and Mason which was ruched at the top and plain on the bottom and had a bow at the back. The shoes were from Barretts and were a darker blue. They also
wore navy pashminas. My flower girl wore an ivory dress with a butterfly bow from BHS, ivory butterfly shoes to match and an ivory cardigan.
The Groom and Groomsmen – The ushers wore grey suits from Marks and Spencers, ivory shirts from Marc Wallace and an ivory tie to match also from Marc Wallace.
The Wedding and Reception Venue
We chose Coltsford Mill because it felt isolated and we liked the idea that we would be the only ones at the venue. We also fell in love with the cottage, the light big barn with high beams and whole atmosphere of the venue.
The Decorative Touches
Room decorations – We had raffia wrapped round the beams in the reception room. We had a light drop with sparkly lights behind the cake.
Table centrepieces – I had a round floral display of natural garden herbs and roses, hyacinth, delphiniums, muscari, thistle, agapanthus. The smell was overwhelming when you entered the room.
Favours – We had Ivory heart boxes with a blue ribbon and inside the boxes we had
ivory sugar almonds. For those who where allergic to nuts we put milky jelly babies inside the boxes. Also for each child I had bought them a colouring book and attached some coloured pencils. Each book had a personal message on ivory card with a blue ribbon. The groom had a Romeo and Juliet cigar. The best man, ushers and grooms father had cigars.
The best part of the day
The best part of the day was saying my vows to Andrew in the church, it was all so overwhelming but wonderful and also seeing everyone that we cared about in the church was amazing.
Advice to other couples
Just make sure you have a moment to yourselves, I had a moment where no-one was coming up to me and I saw my cake being cut and I sat down for 5 mins and had a cup of tea and a slice of my cake. Little things like this mean a lot otherwise you could miss out on small details and my husband managed to smoke the Romeo and Julliet cigar I had got for him.
The Suppliers
Wedding Reception Venue – Venue found through Country House Wedding Venues
Bride’s dress – Maggie Sottero
Groom’s suit – Marks and Spencer and Marc Wallace
Bride’s accessories (veil, tiara, shoes) – All that Glitters in shirley and “John Lewis”http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=1231&a=1491162&g=17279420
Bridesmaid’s dresses – Fenn, Wright & Mason
Other outfits (ushers, maid of honour, pageboys etc) – Marks and Spencers, BHS
Wedding rings – Brighton
Wedding cake – Jackie Brown cakes
Flowers – Kane’s Quality Florist
Cars – Bromley Roll Royce and Bentley hire
Invitations – Willow tree crafts
Wedding list – Travel designers- we wanted people to contribute to our honeymoon to Vegas and a ranch in Arizona, we also set up a small Debenhams gift list
Disco/DJ – Firebird entertainment
Wedding favours – Confetti
Photographer – Mike Garrard