Caroline’s Story

The Proposal

Nigel proposed in the grounds of the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. We were in Vienna for the weekend with a group of friends to attend the Juristen (Lawyer’s) Ball, held annually in February in the Hofburg Palace.

It’s an amazing occasion; we both love dancing and we had been once before, when we first knew each other. That time we had visited the Belvedere Palace but only the gardens were open on this visit, the art galleries in the palace were open to the public but the gardens were being renovated. This meant Nigel proposed surrounded by blue tarpaulin and metal barriers – not quite the magic moment by the fountain he had imagined. The proposal was a surprise – although we had talked about getting married in a jokey way before.

The Outfits

The Bride – My dress was in ivory silk duchess satin with a high front cut straight across, a low back with spaghetti straps and a puddle train. Detailing at the waist on the left side included small net roses and embroidery. I also wore a full-length silk veil and a golden tiara with faux pearls and seed pearls.

The Bridesmaids – I had one matron of honour who chose her own clothes based on the colour scheme of burgundy and gold – she wore a fitted burgundy shirt and a café au lait satin skirt, and burgundy kitten-heeled court shoes. She had white roses in her hair that matched my rose bouquet. The flowergirl wore an ivory dupion silk dress with an organza overskirt and a burgundy silk sash. Her shoes were pale pink satin.

The Groom and Groomsmen – They wore traditional morning suits with plain waistcoats, white shirts and ties.

The Pageboys – The two page boys wore ivory silk short-sleeved shirts and sailor shorts with burgundy buttons and burgundy silk cummerbunds, cream ankle socks and tan suede loafers.

The Wedding and Reception Venue

I have always known the church I’d get married at. It has so many family associations. My mother attends services there most Sundays and it’s where my parents were married, and also my sister and her husband. I was christened there and my niece and nephew were christened there too many years later.

We wanted a venue not far from the church that wouldn’t cost a fortune. We liked the idea of being able to take over a whole venue and having the flexibility to do as we wanted rather than be bound by the restrictions that come with a hotel. We knew we would need space for around 140 guests. My sister set to work searching the internet for possible venues that suited our criteria. Although we did look into a few other options, Parmoor House was the only venue we visited in the end. We first saw it on a dark and cold March evening, but we liked its old-fashioned atmosphere, the period details such as the wood panelling and grand fireplaces, and the large lawn with plenty of space for a marquee.

It is full of character and we thought it had great potential. We also liked the fact that bed and breakfast accommodation was available at such a reasonable price. As it turned out, the staff were absolutely fantastic – endlessly patient and always helpful.

The Decorative Touches

Room decorations – Two bay trees threaded with ivory roses and ribbons stood outside at the entrance to the house. We had several arrangements in the entrance hall, where a fire was blazing, and on the posts of the staircase. These were in green and white, including lilies, to contrast with the dark wood of the panelling. In the room between the entrance hall and the main hall (known as The Chapel), we had four tables set with white linen tablecloths and decorated with square mirrored vases with white and green arrangements. In the centre of The Chapel, we had a spectacular urn on a stone plinth containing lots of foliage and ivory and white flowers and blue delphinium, chosen to complement the blue of the stained glass windows. When night fell, we lined the walkway to the marquee with tea lights in luminaria paper lanterns. These looked stunning!

Table centrepieces – On each table, we had a domed arrangement in white, pale pink and burgundy – including astrantia, burgundy skimmia, pink double lisi, september, freesias, veronica – set in a large clear glass sundae dish. Each guest had their own printed menu, which also acted as a hand-written placecard, on white paper set on burgundy card. These were made by my sister and folded into the white linen napkins by the caterers. The table names were also backed with burgundy card and were displayed in tall chrome ball-base stands.

Favours – There were no favours on the tables in the marquee, but in the guests’ bedrooms we put mini Chinese takeaway boxes decorated with burgundy organza ribbon and stickers with our names and the date of the wedding. In these we placed a selection of biscotti.

The Cake

It was a three-layer round cake with white icing, which was decorated with sugar roses in ivory and palest pink and sugar ivy, designed to complement the table arrangements. Two layers were rich fruit cake and the middle layer was a lemon sponge cake.

The Transport

One of Nigel’s colleagues offered to lend us a burgundy 60-year-old Alvis Shooting Break that has been restored by his father. He dressed up in a chauffeur’s hat and drove me to the church with the friend who gave me away and then drove us from the church to the reception.

Advice to other couples

Accept that there will be moments of stress – including family dramas and guests who cancel at the last minute – and so much to organise that it sometimes feels as if your head will burst, but that it is all worth it in the end. And on the day, try and relish every minute, as it passes so fast.

The Suppliers

Wedding Reception Venue – Parmoor House

Venue found through Country House Wedding Venues

Bride’s dress – Jason Jennings

Bride’s accessories (veil, tiara, shoes) – Veil and tiara from Catherine Walker. Shoes from LK Bennett

Groom’s suit – Young’s Hire at Suits You

Bridesmaid’s dresses – Made to measure by Little Bevan, London

Wedding rings – Susannah Lovis

Wedding cake – Susan at Cakeability

Flowers – Sonning Flowers

Invitations – The Grosvenor Stationery Company, London

Wedding list – The Wedding Shop

Wedding Favours – Unique Wedding Favours

Photographer – Darryl and Heather at Brown & Co Photography