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As we dive into the holiday season, we’re thrilled to share the enchanting wedding of Alex and Lucy, who tied the knot on December 28th, 2017 at Shustoke Barn in Warwickshire. This picturesque setting provided a romantic backdrop for their special day, extending the festive fun well into the new year. The couple’s love story was filled with charming nods to the season, including hand-painted calligraphy signage, copper terrariums bursting with blooms, and a majestic Christmas tree that set the tone for a joyful celebration.Lucy’s stunning bridal ensemble featured a flowing skirt and an open-back lace top with long sleeves, while Alex and his groomsmen donned navy three-piece suits with burgundy accents. The bridesmaids added a touch of elegance in pale pink hues. The overall color palette was nothing short of breathtaking, as the entire wedding party exuded style and sophistication.Music played a significant role in their celebration, as they chose The Indie Killers through Warble Entertainment – the same band that performed at our own wedding! Their energetic performance had everyone dancing and singing along. We’re grateful to Gareth Newstead Photography for capturing the warmth and love of this special day, allowing us to relive it with them today.
THE PROPOSAL
As our final night in Venice drew to a close, we found ourselves strolling along the Grand Canal, taking in the breathtaking views of the city’s iconic architecture. Alex had been keeping his excitement contained all evening, but as we paused to admire the sunset, he suddenly dropped down onto one knee. I was taken aback by the surprise proposal, and with tears of joy welling up in my eyes, I couldn’t help but say yes! The moment was nothing short of magical, and it served as the perfect culmination to an already unforgettable holiday experience.
THE VISION
As we planned our special day, we were determined to tie the knot between Christmas and New Year’s. Our shared love for the festive season made it the perfect opportunity to prolong the joy with a wedding celebration! Crucial to us was having a carefree day filled with laughter and good company. We deliberately steered clear of traditional formalities, instead opting to craft an occasion that truly reflected our unique bond as a couple.
THE PLANNING PROCESS
As soon as we finalized our desired dates, we shifted our focus to finding the perfect venue. A barn wedding was always a strong contender for us – it allowed us to tie the knot and celebrate at one location. Once we secured our ideal spot, we delved into Pinterest to explore colour schemes that would complement our chosen theme. After much deliberation, we settled on blush pink, burgundy, and copper as our signature hues. This marked the beginning of an extensive search for copper accents to incorporate into our big day. Over the course of several months, our spare room transformed into a treasure trove of copper frames, lanterns, and other decorative items. By the time the year mark approached, we had amassed an impressive collection! As an accountant, Alex kept us on track with his meticulous wedding spreadsheet, while my teaching schedule provided regular opportunities for me to tackle specific tasks and check off items from our list. With a year to go before the big day, we’d already booked our transportation, secured a live band, ordered a custom cake, selected flowers, and I had even chosen my dress – we were making steady progress towards creating the wedding of our dreams!
THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES
As I walked into Agape Bridal Boutique in Altrincham, I was immediately drawn to their exceptional staff and talented team. Prior to my visit, I had spent hours scouring the internet for inspiration, knowing that I wanted a dress with sleeves and a daring backless design. During my appointment, I fell in love with several Watters dresses, but also struggled to make a decision among them. That’s when the staff at Agape truly shone, taking the time to understand my vision and working with me to create a bespoke masterpiece. They cleverly combined the Catherine Deane jersey silk skirt with a handcrafted top designed after one of their Watters dresses, resulting in a dress that was uniquely mine. My veil also came from Agape, and I am eternally grateful for their guidance and expertise. Meanwhile, my shoes were sourced from Harriet Wilde, where I fell for the unconventional design and knew instantly they were the perfect choice. I loved that I could wear them again, giving me the flexibility to dress up or down depending on the occasion.
THE VENUE
As we pulled up to Shustoke Farm Barns for a tour, we were immediately struck by its breathtaking façade and grand entrance. Upon entering the venue, we both knew instinctively that it was the perfect setting for our special day. The rustic charm of exposed beams, brickwork, and windows enveloped us, making it impossible not to fall in love with Shustoke’s unique character. From the initial encounter, the staff at Shustoke demonstrated a genuine passion for their venue and a commitment to delivering unforgettable weddings. On the big day, they ensured a seamless execution of every detail, earning rave reviews from our guests who appreciated their helpfulness and accommodating nature. Food was a crucial aspect of our celebration, and Shustoke’s diverse menu options left us spoiled for choice. We ultimately opted for a mixed grill selection, where each guest on each table served a variety of meats – a decision that still has our friends talking about the mouthwatering cuisine to this day.
THE READINGS & MUSIC
As we exchanged vows during the ceremony, it felt like a deeply personal and intimate moment. To make it even more special, my bridesmaid Clare delivered a beautiful reading from ‘Marriage is a Promise’, which perfectly captured our love story. We had spent time searching for the perfect reading that wouldn’t be too cheesy or cliché, but this one stood out to us.Music played a huge role in our wedding celebrations. We curated playlists for each part of the day, including a romantic acoustic version of Kings of Leon’s ‘Use Somebody’, which I walked down the aisle to. To get the party started, we chose ‘You Really Got Me’ by the Kinks for our ceremony exit song.During dinner, we decided to take guests on a musical journey through the decades, playing our favorite songs from the 1950s onwards. It was a great way to get everyone in the mood and reminiscing about their own favorite tunes.For our evening reception, we knew we wanted a live band to keep the energy high. We found ‘The Indie Killers’ through our research, and they truly exceeded our expectations! They played our first dance song, ‘You and Me Song’ by the Wannadies, which we chose because we’re not exactly the next Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers – we wanted something upbeat and fun. After our dance, the band got everyone on the dance floor, playing all our favorite songs and creating an atmosphere that felt like a private festival. The dance floor was packed all night, with people singing along and having the time of their lives.
GROOM’S ATTIRE
The wedding party’s attire was carefully curated, with Alex and his groomsmen opting for navy three-piece suits sourced from Moss Bros. A touch of elegance was added through the burgundy ties worn by the groomsmen, while Alex’s tie featuring white spots served as a stylish deviation from the uniform, allowing him to stand out in a subtle yet distinctive manner.
BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS
I was fortunate enough to have a group of understanding friends as my bridesmaids! We maintained open communication through WhatsApp, sharing images of potential dresses as I went along. Their willingness to go with whatever dress I chose and my desire for them to feel comfortable and happy in their attire made the decision-making process smooth. Given my winter wedding date in December, I knew my bridesmaids would need some extra warmth. After scouring the internet, I discovered cream faux fur stoles on eBay that not only matched our blush pink dresses but also complemented the season’s festive atmosphere perfectly. The end result was a stunning visual representation of our friendship and the winter theme.
THE DETAILS & DÉCOR
As we planned our special day, my partner and I dedicated ourselves to crafting unique centerpieces that reflected our personal style. After months of collecting copper terrariums and frames for displaying cherished photos, we stumbled upon an online treasure trove of customizable wedding signs from Painted By Katie on Etsy. Her bespoke creations added a touch of elegance to our décor, and I highly recommend her services if you’re seeking handcrafted signs that truly make a statement. My father-in-law also deserves immense credit for his incredible DIY skills. He took inspiration from Pinterest and created an array of beautiful copper name card holders using copper pipe, which would have otherwise cost us a small fortune to purchase. His crowning achievement was constructing a massive wooden frame for our table plan display, showcasing the level of dedication and ingenuity he brought to our wedding décor. If I had to say it, he’s got a hidden talent that should be shared with the world – maybe even turning his creativity into a business venture creating bespoke wedding accessories!
THE CAKE
We opted for an unconventional wedding dessert, choosing Krispy Kreme donuts over the traditional cake. Our love for these sweet treats and confidence in their appeal to our guests drove this decision. After conducting thorough research, I discovered a local supplier who specialized in custom donut creations. They delivered the fresh donuts to the venue on the morning of our special day and built an impressive tower that became the talk of the party. Our wedding guests raved about this unique dessert choice, and our family enjoyed the leftovers for days following the celebration.
THE FLOWERS
As we planned our wedding between Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, we faced an unexpected challenge in finding the perfect florist. Reaching out to local florists yielded a common response: they didn’t take on new projects during this busy period. One florist, however, went above and beyond by recommending a freelance florist she had worked with, Judith. We’re thrilled that she did! Judith’s passion for her craft shone through as she listened attentively to our vision and crafted exquisite flower arrangements for our special day. As novices when it came to flowers, we were grateful for her guidance in making key decisions. Our copper terrariums, which we had sourced earlier, were beautifully filled with succulents, foliage, and flowers by Judith’s skilled hands. The bouquets were breathtaking, and she transformed our venue into a winter wonderland with an abundance of flowers, foliage, and mistletoe.
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
When we decided to book Gareth for our wedding, we drew inspiration from his work photographing Alex’s sister’s special day back in 2015. His unique style and ability to capture the essence of the moment without fuss had us hooked. Prior to our big day, Gareth was meticulous in understanding our preferences, ensuring he tailored his approach to our wishes. We were adamant about avoiding a slew of formal photos, opting instead for an authentic celebration with loved ones. Thankfully, Gareth shared our vision and delivered on it beautifully. He struck the perfect balance between posed shots and candid moments, resulting in breathtaking natural photographs that perfectly encapsulated our joyous occasion. We’re more than pleased to wholeheartedly recommend him to any couple seeking a photographer who truly gets what matters most – capturing life’s precious moments with simplicity and elegance.
THE HONEYMOON
After exchanging vows, we treated ourselves to a mini-moon in Barcelona before returning to reality. Following a busy Christmas season and wedding celebrations, we were both eager for some quality time together – just the two of us. We spent our days lounging in the sun, indulging in local cuisine and drinks, and reliving the magic of our special day. As we look ahead to our next adventure, we’re now planning an unforgettable honeymoon trip to Hong Kong, Bali, and Singapore during my summer break – we can hardly contain our excitement!
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
As I got ready with my mum and bridesmaids at a local hotel, disaster struck. We were making our way to reception when the lift suddenly jammed, leaving us stuck inside. Panic set in before my brother heroically stepped in to pry open the doors, allowing us to make a hasty exit via the stairs. To add insult to injury, I was still running early to the venue! Little did we know, this minor hiccup would be forgotten as soon as we exchanged our vows at the ceremony, which both of us agreed was a standout moment. The intimate atmosphere made it feel like we were the only two people in the world, and we found ourselves laughing and enjoying every second together.
Another unforgettable highlight was our band. Music lovers that we are, they truly brought the house down with their phenomenal performance. They played all our requested songs, plus some fantastic extras, keeping us and our guests on the dance floor until the wee hours. We’ve been raving about them to anyone who’ll listen, and we’re already searching for another event where we can book them again.
ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES
When planning a wedding, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking about what others might think or expect from the big day. However, it’s crucial not to compromise on what you both truly desire. Remember that this is your special day, and what made our day so perfect was being able to choose the things that brought us joy – whether that was a particular band, cake, or even just the food we loved. Rather than worrying about pleasing every guest, focus on creating an atmosphere where you and your partner can truly be yourselves. At the end of the day, it’s not about impressing others, but about celebrating your love and commitment to each other. And trust us, when all is said and done, your guests will just want to see you both happy and enjoying every moment together.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Gareth Newstead Photography captured the essence of Alex and Lucy’s charming wedding at Shustoke Barn, where love was in the air. The lovely couple’s special day was made even more unforgettable with the help of some wonderful vendors. Pollen Floral Joy brought a touch of elegance with their exquisite flowers, while Agape Bridal Boutique provided Lucy with her stunning dress. Harriet Wilde Wedding Shoes added a dash of sophistication to Alex’s overall look. Unique wedding signs, crafted by Painted by Katie, served as a lovely reminder of the couple’s love for each other. The Wedding Hair & Makeup Company ensured that both Alex and Lucy looked their absolute best on their big day. Moss Bros supplied the groomsmen with stylish suits, while Blushing Weddings & Events provided the delectable cake. The Indie Killers, via Warble Entertainment, got everyone in the mood for dancing. As a special touch, Magic Selfie Mirror offered an entertaining photo booth experience. We’re grateful to Alex and Lucy for sharing their romantic celebration with us.