Lauren’s Story

How we met.

We were introduced by a mutual friend seven years ago, but due to us being in relationships at the time we had to admire from afar. We finally got together in June 2005.

The Proposal

I proposed to Paul ten months after getting together. I hadn’t planned it, we were just having a lazy Sunday morning. I said ‘do you think we’ll get married’, he said ‘is that a proposal’ and the rest is history as they say.

The Wedding and Reception Venue

The venue was one of three we had selected from Country House Wedding Venues. It was the first we viewed and we both just fell in love with its simple charm. I wanted a summer wedding outside where we could mingle with friends. I wanted the whole day at one venue so as not to waste any time moving from one place to another and it fitted the bill perfectly.

I booked the venue in May 2006. The Curradine Barns were perfect to hold the ceremony and reception as by day it is light and airy and by night the fairy lights are switched on giving a romantic cosy feel. As it is surrounded by fields you get the feeling that there is nobody for miles.

The Outfits

Bridesmaid – We had just one bridesmaid and as the theme was black and white, she wore a floor length black dress made from floaty organza.

Groom & Groomsmen – The Groom, Best Man and Usher wore black and white dinner suits – very James Bond!

The Bride – My dress was white and A-line. It too was made of multiple layers of organza which was light with lots of movement. The skirt was lifted asymmetrically and kept in place by tiny organza flowers – difficult to explain. I wore no accessories, which got a few raised eyebrows! The dress was beautiful and I didn’t want to detract from that so no jewellery or tiara. I had a smoky eye and my hair is dark brown which set the whiteness of the dress off really well.

The Decorative Touches

Flowers – I chose white roses. I didn’t have a bouquet, my sister and I had a single white rose each. For decoration I had single white roses placed on the tables outside and scattered around the venue. Worked out an inexpensive alternative and I hate to see all of the flowers going to waste.

Venue Decoration – The barn supplied fairy lights and that was just perfect, very simple. My tables were black table cloths with white plates and napkins. We didn’t have a centrepiece as I didn’t want the table to appear cluttered. I had an individual wedding cake for everybody and these were placed on the tables.

The Cake

Again going with the black and white theme the cakes were square sponge covered with white rolled icing. A black ribbon was placed around each cake and a sugar black rose was added to the top.

Transport

As The Curradine Barns has a beautiful bridal and bridesmaid suite I was able to get ready on site so no need for wedding cars. We took our dresses etc the night before and then drove there in the morning so that I could have a very chilled day.

Advice to other couples

Make sure you have exactly what you want, even if it isn’t ‘the norm’. We chose not to do speeches as I didn’t want the stress, no cake to cut etc, just a really chilled-out day.

The Suppliers

Wedding Venue – The Curradine Barns

Venue found through Country House Wedding Venues

Bride’s dress – Tie the Knot, Wallheath

Bride’s accessories – Shoes – Lotus

Groom’s suit – Stephen Allen Menswear in Stourbridge

Bridesmaid dress – Tie the Knot, Wallheath

Wedding rings – These were hand made in Greece

Wedding cake – Wheatmill Bakery, Kingswinford

Flowers – Moss Grove Flowers

Photographer – Lucy Pryor Angelfire Photography