Melissa’s Story

The Proposal

It was the final day of our holiday in Hong Kong, and my birthday night. James took me for champagne cocktails followed by a delicious 3-course meal. After the meal he took me for a romantic stroll along the harbour front, and to my complete surprise got down on one knee and produced the ring.

The Outfits

The Bride – Cymbeline made the dress, which was a two piece, red taffeta, floor length, a-line skirt with a bustle and short train (which was split to show an organza underlay), spaghetti straps, red lace at the neckline (and some on the left hip), lace up bodice.

The Bridesmaids – A cream, floor length, strapless, sheath dress made from nu-georgette. Her necklace matched my own accessories.

The Groom and Groomsmen – The groomsmen wore virtually the same as the groom – black lounge suit, a plain silk cream waistcoat with a gold tie (groom wore a red tie).

The Wedding and Reception Venue

We knew that we wanted to find a venue where we could have both the wedding and the reception. After looking at several hotels we came across the The Curradine Barns. We knew it was the place for us when we went to view it, as we couldn’t wipe the smiles from our faces. We knew that we’d found a venue that had real character, but yet somewhere that we could add our own touches; so different from the tired hotels that we’d viewed before. The place was big enough to hold all of our guests, but somehow felt quite intimate.

The Decorative Touches

Room decorations – We had two dramatic red up-lighters at the front of the barn where we had the ceremony. For flowers there was an arrangement attached to the gallery, two pedestals with flowers and thick church candles, plus another arrangement on the registrar’s table. Greenery was wound around the ironwork running across the barn.

For the reception the tables each had red organza runners. The pedestals were taken through to be displayed either side of the head table. The place settings were tied to the back of the chairs, and each had the double happiness symbol on them – the traditional Chinese symbol used for weddings – which matched all of the wedding stationery. Instead of table numbers, the tables were named after the cities in China that we were going to visit.

The venue itself has pretty willow entwined with fairy lights scattered throughout (on the minstrel’s gallery and on the open beams.

Table centrepieces – We wanted the centrepieces to look a little eclectic, so we had 2 styles of arrangement. Style one had thick church candles (to match the pedestals) surrounded with flowers, and style two was a small goldfish bowl filled with water, on a bed of flowers, with a floating green cymbidium orchid head and a red rose head. The arrangements had both the green orchids and red roses, along with other flowers of the same colours.

Favours – The men had “Wilcox whiskey” miniatures (with the double happiness symbol), and the women had Buddha incense burners.

The Cake

Big, fat, chocolate cake! It looked amazing, smelt divine, and tasted even better! We had a bespoke cake topper – some little characters dressed exactly the same as James and I.

The Transport

We did not feel the need to hire cars, as I got ready at the venue in the cottage, and James arrived earlier than the rest of the guests.

The Suppliers

Wedding Reception Venue – The Curradine Barns

Venue found through Country House Wedding Venues

Bride’s dress – Margot Raybould Brides, Beatties, Wolverhampton

Bride’s accessories – Shoes – Cymbeline to match the dress. Tiara and cuff were by Sarah Drew.

Groom’s suit – Formal Affair

Bridesmaid’s dresses – Dessy at Margot Raybould, Beatties, Wolverhampton.

Other outfits – As above

Wedding rings – SP Green, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham.

Wedding cake – Cakes by Karen

Flowers – Member of the family.

Wedding list – Confetti (we created a “honeymoon” wedding list where guests could pay for excursions/treats for us on our trip to China).

Disco/DJ – Waveform Productions

Wedding favours – Best Favours

Photographer – Ickootu Photography