Louise’s Story

The Proposal

Pete proposed to me on the bridge in the park near our house. We had discussed getting married and had looked at rings so although it wasn’t a complete surprise, it was lovely.

The Outfits

The Bride – A strapless, fitted fish tail dress, with ivory and glass beads at the front and the train.

The Bridesmaids – I had my two sisters in chocolate brown dresses with cream and orange cala lilies. My daughter and two nieces were in cream and brown dresses.

The Groom and Groomsmen – The two ushers wore brown suits with ivory shirts and orange cala lily.

Wedding and Reception Venue

We wanted somewhere we could have a civil service and the reception in one place. Gaynes Park is in a lovely location and is very simply decorated so we felt we were able to put our own touches to it to make it personal to us. Some places we looked at were so heavily decorated and dated that we would have been governed much more by the venue.

The Decorative Touches

Room decorations – We had the four posts in the main reception decorated with garlands, fairy lights on the banisters of the gallery upstairs, and single tall vases on the tables.

Table centrepieces – Tall vases with cala lilies and foliage. We had disposable cameras and books with photos of the bride and groom from babies to present day.

Favours – We had gingerbread brides and grooms for our favours.

The Cake

This was made up of 30 individual fruitcakes with an 8" sponge on the top, all on a glass stand. We had a fresh posy of orange cala lilies on the top cake.

The Transport

A stretch Mercedes.

Advice to other couples

If you have young children, organise a crèche where they can play and eat their dinner separate from you. It worked out quite expensive but was worth every penny as it meant the adults could eat and enjoy the speeches without having to worry about entertaining their kids.

The Suppliers

Wedding Reception Venue – Gaynes Park Barns

Venue found through Country House Wedding Venues

Bride’s dress – Pronuptia

Bride’s accessories – Veil – Pronuptia, Tiarra – Jewellery by Jo, Shoes – John Lewis

Groom’s suit – Coles Hire, Epping

Bridesmaid’s dresses – Pronuptia for the older girls dresses and BabyGap for the babies dresses.

Wedding rings – Lance James, Chelmsford

Wedding cake – Karens Cakes, Bishops Stortford

Flowers – Epping Flower Shop.

Invitations – Crinkle Cards, Helen Sykes.

Wedding list – Bluewater vouchers.

Disco/DJ – Mitch Fisk

Wedding favours – Have your cake and eat it

Photographer – Gus Campbell