Holford Estate Wedding
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It’s a delight to share the idyllic and relaxed Holford Estate wedding of Kate and Chris, which took place on September 14th, 2019, amidst the picturesque gardens and sun-kissed autumn surroundings. The ceremony, set against the stunning backdrop of flower-lined aisles and an exquisite archway, was a truly memorable occasion. Following their vows, they made their way to the barns, where thoughtful touches like a semi-naked cake, bunting, and an afternoon tea spread awaited them. What struck me most about this wedding is the elegance and poise exuded by Kate and Chris – she donned the breathtaking Valentina gown from Graces Loves Lace, while he opted for a stylish suit and mustard yellow tie courtesy of Tailor Made London. The result was nothing short of breathtaking. I must say, these images courtesy of Voyteck Photography are truly a treat to behold, especially those golden hour portraits that capture the essence of this special day. A huge thank you to Kate and Chris for sharing their joy with us!
The Proposal
As we strolled along the picturesque beaches of Koh Samui, Thailand, in 2017, I seized the moment to ask Kate to be my wife. Our romantic getaway marked almost three and a half years together, and I deemed it the ideal setting to take our relationship to the next level. The breathtaking sunset unfolding before us only added to the serenity of the atmosphere as I proposed, sealing the memory in an unforgettable way.
The Vision
When planning our wedding, we didn’t have a specific vision in mind. Our goal was to create an unforgettable experience for ourselves and our guests, with a relaxed atmosphere that allowed people to mingle and enjoy themselves. We opted for a rustic/barn theme, which fit perfectly with our desire for a laid-back celebration. This allowed us to ditch the traditional wedding breakfast setup and instead have picnic blankets and garden games scattered throughout the space, encouraging guests to socialize and have fun.As foodies who love exploring new cuisines while traveling, we placed great importance on the culinary aspect of our wedding. We decided to go with an evening buffet featuring cuisine from around the world, which received rave reviews thanks to Samuel James Events. The global flavors really added a unique touch to our special day and were a hit with our guests.
The Planning Process
As we began planning our wedding, we realized the importance of starting early – specifically around 1 year prior to the big day. Finding the perfect venue was a crucial step, taking us about 2 months and involving visits to approximately 15 potential sites before making a decision. I would advise couples embarking on this journey now to start their search as soon as possible, especially if they have a specific location and date in mind, as popular spots can be booked up to 2 years in advance. With the wedding date secured, we spent an additional 2 months or so finalizing the rest of our wedding suppliers. We also aimed to book and plan our honeymoon at this early stage to minimize last-minute stressors. In hindsight, tasks like selecting wedding readings and playlists could have been tackled earlier to avoid unnecessary pressure. Our planning process unfolded largely on weekends, with dedicated time each week to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
The Readings & Music
When it came to curating our playlist for the big day, we knew we needed something that would appeal to a diverse range of ages and abilities. We chose Relativity by Albert Einstein, Oh the Places You’ll Go! by Dr Seuss, and Let Me Put It This Way by Simon Armitage to set the tone for our celebration. But it was the live music provided by Triple Scotch Ceilidh Band that really brought everyone together. Stephen and his band played a range of instruments, including piano and violin, and got everyone in the mood with their lively ceilidh performance in the evening. We were particularly pleased with how accessible and interactive the event turned out to be, allowing guests from all over – including those with small children – to join in at their own pace. The band’s excellent caller ensured that everyone felt included and had a great time.
The Venue
We embarked on a venue search, visiting around 15 potential locations before stumbling upon the enchanting Holford Estate. It was my birthday when I first laid eyes on it, and I was instantly smitten – envisioning our special day unfolding within its walls. The property’s crowning jewel was its picturesque garden, perfect for an outdoor ceremony, as well as a charming barn for indoor celebrations or inclement weather backup. Additionally, the restored mill just a short stroll away proved to be the ideal retreat for our pre-wedding and post-wedding gatherings, eliminating transportation woes.The Holford Estate team, comprising Hannah, Jackie, and Frances, were an absolute delight to work with. Hannah, in particular, went above and beyond, thoughtfully anticipating any logistical concerns we may have overlooked and expertly guiding us towards a seamless event. Her dedication played a significant role in ensuring our wedding day ran like clockwork, and the memories created within those walls remain nothing short of extraordinary. We feel incredibly fortunate to have chosen The Holford Estate as our wedding venue – a decision that undoubtedly contributed to the overall magic of our special day.
The Cake
Our wedding dessert stole the show with a stunning three-tier semi- nude cake, boasting not one, but three distinct flavors. Prior to the big day, we held a tasting session where we were torn between the delicious options. To help us make up our minds, Sarah kindly agreed to send over additional samples for us to try. The end result was a huge hit with our guests – we opted for an afternoon tea instead of the traditional wedding breakfast, and the cake proved to be the perfect accompaniment to our menu.
The Details & Décor
The picturesque setting, a result of Garden games and decorations courtesy of Sid & Olive Vintage Weddings and Events, provided a stunning backdrop for the celebration. As the venue already boasted natural beauty, the couple opted for a understated yet elegant approach to decorations, allowing the inherent charm to shine through.
Your Outfits & Accessories
When it came to choosing our wedding attire, my partner and I wanted something that exuded a relaxed yet elegant vibe. To achieve this look, we opted for the stunning Valentina dress by Grace Loves Lace, which I had the pleasure of trying on at their London showroom. The dress not only fit perfectly with our desired aesthetic but also offered the comfort and practicality we needed for an all-day celebration. In fact, fate smiled upon us when we found a brand new dress at Still White – a pre-loved wedding dress platform – at a fraction of the original price thanks to a seller who had purchased two dresses for their own special day. As for my partner’s attire, we chose the impeccable suit by Tailor Made London.
Beauty
I’ll never forget the experience of having Stephanie Swain as my makeup artist. As someone with fine hair that can be challenging to work with, I was a bit apprehensive about the trial process. But Steph quickly put me at ease by sharing stories about the adorable toy poodle she was dog-sitting for, which took my mind off any wedding-day jitters. Her expertise and calming demeanor allowed her to expertly style my hair in a way that not only held up all day but also survived the windy conditions and lively ceilidh in the evening. And as for my makeup, I loved how it turned out – a perfect blend of natural and polished.
The Flowers
Sasha was a pleasure to collaborate with, and her patience was truly appreciated. Initially, I had limited knowledge about wedding flowers and didn’t have a clear vision (apart from envisioning an outdoor ceremony with a stunning flower arch, which proved to be a bit of a gamble in mid-September Cheshire weather). As such, we relied heavily on her expertise and creative input. The moment I laid eyes on the flower arch, I was smitten! The aisle flowers also turned out beautifully, serving as a perfect blend for both the ceremony and reception. One of my only regrets is not being able to take my wedding bouquet home with me, as we departed for our mini-moon the following day.
Your Photographer
We put a lot of thought into choosing our wedding photographer, knowing that photos are one of the few lasting memories after the big day. After considering several options, we ultimately decided on Voyteck Photography for his exceptional ability to capture stunning sunset shots. To maximize our photo opportunities, we also opted for pre-wedding engagement photos, which took place on a picturesque summer evening in Richmond Park. Voyteck’s friendly demeanor put us at ease, as neither of us had extensive experience with professional photography. On the wedding day itself, Voyteck struck the perfect balance between being a discreet observer and making himself available for posed shots when needed. We were incredibly fortunate to have ideal weather conditions, which allowed him to capture breathtaking photos during our golden hour shoot in the venue’s beautiful gardens.
The Honeymoon
We embarked on a three-week journey, splitting our time evenly between Bali, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Although we didn’t take a traditional honeymoon until several months had passed since our wedding day, we did make an impromptu getaway to Lisbon just one week after exchanging vows. The brief respite allowed us to recharge and celebrate our new life together.
Memorable Moments
It was challenging to pinpoint the highlights of our day because we had such an incredible time. Among the memorable moments were the ceremony itself, the evening photoshoot, and the lively ceilidh. We also cherished the smaller, more intimate moments, like snapping Polaroid photos with our loved ones, saying hello to the beautiful horses stabled on site, and simply taking leisurely strolls through the picturesque gardens.
Advice For Other Couples
It’s essential to have a realistic approach when planning your special day, as not everything will go exactly as planned. Instead of stressing over every detail, identify the most important aspects to you and prioritize them in your planning process. This will help you feel more at ease amidst the chaos. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, consider planning your honeymoon in advance, so you have something to look forward to when things get hectic near the end.