On May 26th, 2016, Vicki and Rony’s enchanting wedding celebration took place at Babington House, a truly unforgettable experience for them. As Vicki herself described it, the day was nothing short of perfection – a dream come true. One can easily see why they fell head over heels in love with the venue, which made the planning process effortless thanks to the meticulous attention to detail provided by the on-site staff.The couple’s collaborative effort with Babington House’s in-house florists resulted in exquisite arrangements that added an extra layer of magic to their special day. The archway surrounding the church doorway is particularly striking, while the bouquets are truly show-stopping. Those who appreciate soft blush tones will adore the dreamy table settings and floral adornments.Vicki made a stunning impression in not one, but two breathtaking dresses. Her Caroline Castigliano day dress exudes elegance and simplicity, whereas her Jenny Packham dancing dress sparkles with just the right amount of glamour.The breathtaking photographs captured by Ria Mishaal perfectly capture the essence of their special day. We’re grateful to Ria for sharing these stunning images with us, and we hope you’ll enjoy reliving this unforgettable celebration as much as we do.
The Proposal
Christmas Eve brought an extra layer of magic to Rony’s proposal, as he popped the question after a decade of anticipation. The evening unfolded like a fairytale, complete with fake snowflakes gently falling from above, the soulful harmonies of a gospel choir, and a burst of colorful fireworks illuminating the night sky. Our closest family members and two little bundles of joy hiding in plain sight added to the romance of it all.
The Vision
As soon as we stepped into Babington House, we knew we had found our dream wedding venue in the UK. The opportunity to have all of our closest family and friends with us for the entire celebration, making it feel like a mini-vacation, was incredibly appealing. Our goal was to create an intimate atmosphere that captured the relaxed, country house charm of Babington House, culminating in a day we would treasure forever.
The Planning Process
The planning process unfolded relatively effortlessly, thanks to the seamless collaboration between the venue’s team and my own wedding planner, Lisa Victoria Smith. Booking the private estate a year in advance allowed us to work closely with Becky, the wedding planner at Babington House, bringing our vision to life. One of the biggest challenges was accommodating all our guests and their varying needs within the expansive space. We opted for an intimate pre-wedding BBQ with closest family and friends the night before, followed by the arrival of remaining guests on the morning of the big day. Given our distance from Somerset – where the venue is located – we devoted significant research to identifying recommended suppliers and scouring social media for inspiration and insight into other couples’ experiences at Babington House. The cake was crafted in-house, while the florist and DJ were already pre-set when we booked the wedding, alleviating some of the pressure. We then met with each supplier to finalize our stylistic choices, allowing us to relax and enjoy the planning process.
The Venue
Our pre-wedding celebration took place the night before the big day, in the picturesque walled garden of Babington House. The ceremony itself was a lovely intimate affair, held at 4pm in the charming chapel nestled within the estate’s grounds. Following the ‘I dos,’ we mingled with loved ones during a delightful drinks reception and canapé hour on the lush lawn. The weather was nothing short of perfect, leaving us feeling utterly grateful for the ideal conditions. As the day unfolded, the wedding breakfast was served in the beautifully appointed Orangery within the main house, while the evening festivities took place in the lively bar area. And as the night wore on, we danced the hours away down by the outdoor pool, our after-party showing no signs of slowing until the wee hours of 7am.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I chose a stunning For Love & Lemons dress for the pre-wedding BBQ, discovering it on Revolve’s website. The all-white ensemble was a deliberate choice, as I rarely wear white, and I wanted to make the most of being a bride-to-be. On the wedding day itself, I opted for two distinct looks. First, I donned a classic Caroline Castigliano dress for the ceremony, before switching into a more relaxed Jenny Packham design just in time for our first dance. Both dresses came from The Bridal Collection in Harrogate. When it came to accessories, my Valentino shoes from Selfridges made a statement, while my mum gifted me beautiful Jenny Packham earrings. Meanwhile, my rings were custom-designed and crafted to perfectly match my engagement ring.
Beauty
Finding the perfect makeup artist for the bridal party’s look was a crucial aspect of planning my special day. After some trial and error, I finally came across Eleanor Nancy @EleanorNancyMakeup, who I instantly felt a connection with. Her expertise and professionalism put me at ease, making her the obvious choice to bring out the best in our bridesmaids and myself.
The Readings & Music
As the wedding ceremony unfolded, it was clear that family was at the forefront of the celebration. The sons, niece, and nephews had been diligently rehearsing in anticipation of their big moment, and they took center stage to perform an uplifting rendition of ‘Bind us Together’ before the chapel. Their sweet performance was a delightful surprise, albeit momentarily disrupted by the vicar’s impromptu guitar solo that left them scrambling to keep pace! Meanwhile, cherished family members took turns sharing meaningful contributions to the ceremony. My Nana lent her soothing voice to a poignant biblical passage, while Rony’s mom beautifully recited a heartfelt Hindu mantra. The atmosphere was further elevated when my cousin Hollie Ann Lowe brought the house down with an emotive performance of ‘Amazing Grace’ as we signed the register. We wrapped up the proceedings on a high note with the crowd-pleasing classic ‘Shine Jesus Shine’, leaving everyone beaming with joy.
Bridesmaids
Two Birds was the designer behind the stunning bridesmaid dresses, which came in not one but two distinct shades: a sleek platinum hue and a softer, more muted dusty blue.
The Flowers
The stunning floral arrangements, courtesy of Flowers by Passion, truly stole the show at our special day. The magnificent arch adorning the church entrance was a breathtaking sight, while the delicate blooms lining the tables for the wedding breakfast added a touch of elegance to the proceedings. As our guests departed the following morning, we were delighted to provide them with a lovely bouquet each, as a heartfelt thank you for their presence.
Your Photographer
When it came time to find the perfect photographer for our special day at Babington, we were thrilled to discover that Ria Mishaal had already captured the magic of this stunning venue on camera. Her unique photography style immediately resonated with us, and a phone call later, we knew she was the one for the job. Our first in-person meeting took place during a venue visit with my parents, where Ria’s warm demeanor put both Rony and me at ease. It was then that I knew she had the skills to capture every moment, from the pivotal key moments we’d want to remember to the subtle, behind-the-scenes moments that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. And indeed, our wedding pictures did not disappoint – Ria’s team did an incredible job of preserving every special instant, leaving us with a treasure trove of memories that will be cherished for years to come.
The Cake
For the occasion, we opted for a classic yet elegant approach to dessert – a three-tiered masterpiece featuring red velvet, lemon, and rich chocolate cake, all carefully crafted in-house by the talented team at Babington.
Your Filmmaker
The cinematic masterpiece crafted by Gorgeous Films masterfully weaves together our day and night, resulting in a stunning visual representation that flawlessly encapsulates the essence of our unforgettable experience.
The Honeymoon
Rony orchestrated our dreamy honeymoon getaway as a seamless surprise, leaving me utterly enchanted. Following our return to Leeds, we embarked on an adventure that began with four nights in Rome, where Rony and I indulged in the city’s iconic landmarks, savored delectable cuisine, and explored the picturesque vineyards surrounding the urban landscape. Upon returning home, we reunited with the boys and jetted off to the Maldives for a 14-day escapade of unadulterated tranquility.
Memorable Moments
What stood out were several unforgettable moments that still bring a smile to my face. The pre-wedding BBQ was an absolute blast, with endless laughter and memories made with close friends and family. I’ll never forget the excitement of running up to the ceremony with loved ones by my side, or the sheer joy of seeing my Dad for the first time as he walked down the chapel aisle. Little did we know, however, that our wedding rings would soon be lost in the chaos of heading across the lawn – talk about an adventure! The thrill continued as we exchanged vows and gazed into each other’s eyes through the chapel doors. And who could forget the vicar’s dramatic sleeve situation, courtesy of a stray candle flame? But it was the heartfelt speeches and our first dance as husband and wife that truly made the day unforgettable. Even the morning after, taking leisurely strolls around the grounds with loved ones by my side, or visiting family members’ bedrooms to reflect on the day’s events – it was all just so magical. These few days were a true blessing for our little family.
Advice For Other Couples
Embrace every moment with an open heart, even when things don’t quite go as planned. It’s inevitable that some aspects of your special day will be imperfect or that certain individuals may cause stress or annoyance. However, the silver lining is that this experience will be a one-time occurrence and, when you look back on it, you’ll likely find it to be the most unforgettable day of your life. Don’t get caught up in the minutiae – focus on the bigger picture.I highly recommend investing in professional photography and videography services. Not only will these visual records provide a beautiful keepsake for years to come, but they’ll also serve as a wonderful way to relive cherished memories. As time passes, you may find that your recollections of the day become fuzzy, but with these visual reminders, you’ll be able to revisit and reexperience the joy and love that filled the air.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Vivid memories of Vicki and Rony’s enchanting celebration still linger, thanks to the talented trio that brought their big day to life. Behind the lens was photographer Ria Mishaal, capturing every tender moment in exquisite detail. The beautiful bride, of course, shone in her stunning Hepburn by Caroline Castigliano & Jenny Packham gown from Bridal Collection Harrogate – a true showstopper! Flowers by Passion added an extra layer of romance with their breathtaking blooms, while Gorgeous Films brought the magic to life through their captivating videography. The bridesmaid squad looked radiant in their Twobirds Bridesmaid dresses, and Eleanor Nancy worked her makeup magic on the happy couple. Lastly, Babington House provided the picturesque backdrop for this love-filled event – a true fairytale setting. We’re honored to have been a part of Vicki and Rony’s special day and can’t thank them enough for sharing it with us.