Concetta’s Story

The Proposal

Adam proposed to me, I had just got back from New York with work, and we were at home, he cooked a romantic dinner and popped the question, he later brought out the champagne, I still to this day have never seen him so nervous! He wanted to save it until the following week at some swanky restaurant, but I’m really glad he did it with just the two of us.

The Outfits

The Bride – I brought my dress from Italy, Naples, as I’m half Italian, it was off white, and just off the shoulders, fitted at the waist, and full length. It had lace all the way round the bottom of the dress and near the bust line. The vale was also organza material, cathedral length.

The Bridesmaids – My four bridesmaids wore Alfred Angelo burgundy dresses.

The Groom and Groomsmen – Top Hat and Tails, burgundy cravat and they all had canes.

The Ceremony and Reception Venues

I was looking through the internet one day, and came across Country House Wedding Venues, I called up and arranged to see Hartsfield Manor, we arrived and were completely blown away with the beauty of the grounds and the manor house. We were also impressed with the different rooms in the manor house. The convenience of also having bedrooms for our guests was fantastic, there was also in addition to the manor house, a cottage, in which we had our friends stay in! It also had the added bonus that our guests ONLY were at the venue.

The Decorative Touches

Our top table had white linen which had green garland going all the way across, which also had a combination of lilies in pink and white. We had 10 round tables, all covered in white linen. A menu for our guests was placed at each table, with table numbers that stood on handmade stands. Names of the guests were place on small silver bells. The napkin was folded in a bishop style with an orchid placed in the top. Each table had a tall thin clear vase in the centre, which had a ring of flowers at the base of the vase, and flowers cascading down from the top of the vase, again a combination of lilies and roses.

The Cake

Our cake had 4 tiers separated by pillars. The top 2 tiers were fruitcake, the rest was chocolate sponge. White icing with hand made red roses flowing from the top down to the bottom. There was also a Bride and groom figure on top.

The Transport

We had two cars, one car for the bridesmaids, which was cream 1960 mercedes sl, Adam and I had 1950 Talbot cream and black car.

Advice to other couples

Plan early and make sure your wedding is what you want, and not what others expect.

Suppliers

Reception Venue – Hartsfield Manor

Found through Country House Wedding Venues

Bride’s dress – Bought in Italy

Bride’s accessories:

Veil – Grandmothers

Tiara – hand-made

Shoes – House of Fraser

Underwear – Boutique in Windsor

Groom’s suit – Windsor Formal Hire

Bridesmaid’s dresses – Elevation Brides, Caterham

Other outfits (ushers, maid of honour, pageboys etc) – Windsor Formal Hire

Wedding rings – Davrils London

Wedding cake – Family Friend

Flowers – Catherine Smith

Cars – Family Friend

Invitations – Friends printed them, we designed them

Wedding list – Debenhams

Disco/DJ – Alive Network

Wedding Favours – From Tuscany

Photographer – Ben Laurie