Tamara’s Story

The Proposal

Neil proposed on our first anniversary in our flat in London and yes it was a real surprise!

The Outfits

The Bride – Off-white satin, A-line skirt, fitted bodice beaded with red and white Swarovski crystal beads.

The Bridesmaids – Wine coloured dresses from Debenhams with jewellery handmade by the bride.

The Groom and Groomsmen – Morning suits provided by Pronuptia with red/gold waistcoats and gold cravats.

The Wedding and Reception Venue

We wanted a barn and looked at many within a 30-mile radius of our home in Warwickshire. We fell in love with The Curradine Barns as soon as we saw it. We wanted a venue where we could hold both the ceremony and reception so that the day would be much more relaxed and we wouldn’t have to worry about guests getting lost between venues.

The Decorative Touches

Room decorations – There was willow and fairy lights hanging from the beams in both barns.

Table centrepieces – The tables were laid with red tea-light holders which also become favours, skeleton leaves and a vase with a small stem of 2 roses and some eucalyptus leaves (as per buttonholes/bouquets).

Favours – Tea-light holders.

The Cake

Sponge cake with white chocolate broken up and stuck around the sides to look like an iceberg with a bride and groom penguin on top.

The Transport

I came by hackney carriage, being Australian I just love proper cabs and it seemed a great way to arrive, cheap too! We also arranged coach transport for all our guests from the hotel accommodation to the venue and back again which made the whole day a lot more relaxing for everyone.

Advice to other couples

Know what you want before meeting anyone.

If you want a relaxed day where everything runs smooth then don’t choose a bossy photographer who will just make everyone uncomfortable.

Ask people you know for recommendations and opinions.

If you have your heart set on something don’t let anyone talk you down, unless of course what you want is just impossible. I really regretted letting myself get talked out of white icing in favour of white chocolate on the wedding cake. It looked exactly how I pictured it would… yellow!

Try not to worry about what’s “normal” or “expected” – plan what you want to happen, most of your guests will be refreshed by all the little things that made your wedding unique and it will live on longer in their memories!

The Suppliers

Wedding Reception Venue – The Curradine Barns

Venue found through Country House Wedding Venues

Bride’s dress – Essense of Australia

Bride’s accessories (veil, tiara, shoes) – shoes from BHS, veil from Pronuptia, tiara and necklace handmade by bride.

Groom’s suit – Pronuptia

Bridesmaid’s dresses – Debenhams Debut

Other outfits – Pronuptia

Wedding rings – H Samuel for grooms ring & Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham for bride’s ring.

Wedding cake – Best Man’s Aunt.

Flowers – Best Man’s Mum.

Cars – Private cab and Elgar Coaches.

Invitations – Handmade by bride.

Disco/DJ – Elite Discos & Entertainment

Wedding favours – tea-light holders from IKEA

Photographer – Mojo Photography