Keeping things simple

A surprising display of practicality was all it took for Rebecca Bradding to view fellow student David Markland as marriage material

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Early days…

Bec, an operations supervisor at a law firm, and Dave, a product director, may have known each other for 12 years, but it wasn't until 2002 that they started dating seriously.

The couple met after they ended up in the same halls at Southampton University, but it wasn't until Dave showed some previously unseen practicality that Bec started to see him as something other than simply "cute, loud and lanky".

"After a big night out in our second year at university, Dave got out a little brown book to add up how much money he had spent that night and what he had left for the week. This display of level-headedness took me by complete surprise and at that moment I realised there was a lot more to Dave than met the eye - perhaps he was even husband material," says Bec.

Dave's feelings for Bec developed after the couple started dating for a few months whilst still at university. "Bec was going abroad for a year as part of her degree. I realised how much I loved her when we had only one day left together which we spent on the beach in Bournemouth on a very windy day," he says.

With Bec studying abroad the couple eventually split up... until 2002. Realising their feelings for each other hadn't waned over the intervening years, they decided to rekindle their relationship.

The proposal…

Bec wasn't completely surprised by Dave's proposal and the brilliant-cut diamond set in platinum that he presented to her. "Dave proposed to me on the top of an underground motel in Coober Pedy in the Australian outback." But why wasn't she surprised? "The nervous grin on his face all night gave it away," Bec laughs.

Hen and stag parties…

While Bec headed to the Marriott hotel in London with 11 friends for a spa day followed by a fondue in Soho and two hours of crooning at a karaoke bar, Dave and 13 friends headed back to the couple's old stomping ground in Southampton. "Dave and his friends went to Southampton for a boys' weekend which included nights out, go-kart racing and pitch and putt," says Bec.

The venues…

Bec and Dave chose Cooling Castle for their ceremony and reception and knew it was the place for them from the moment they set foot in it. "It was everything we were looking for," says Bec. "It was very intimate, cosy and exclusive, and we could have our whole day in one place. The staff were also very accommodating and understanding, while the barn setting was very appropriate for the relaxed party atmosphere we were really keen to create."

The attendants…

Bec's two close friends Caroline and Elena, and cousin Kelly were on hand on the day to lend support in their roles of bridesmaids. They wore beautiful sage green dresses which were made of satin and chiffon. "They looked very elegant," says Bec.

Dave's former flatmate and close friend Chris was best man, while another good friend of the groom, Neil acted as usher. Neil earned his place in the line-up as he "has been helping Dave with everything from coursework to DIY since they met".

The dress…

Bec's ivory-coloured dress was made up of layers of chiffon from top to bottom and decorated with tiny sparkles and pearls around the bodice and train. She accessorised with tiny pearl stud earrings and a matching necklace, while her pearl bracelet matched those worn by the bridesmaids, in style if not in colour. "My bridesmaids wore pretty green pearl bracelets and mine was ivory in colour," she explains.

The flowers…

Keeping things simple in line with the relaxed feel of the day, the couple had roses as their flower of choice. Bec carried a pretty posy of cream and green roses intermingled with some greenery while the bridesmaids' bouquets went along similar lines comprising very light green roses. To keep with the theme, a single cream rose adorned the men's buttonholes.

"We didn't have any flowers at the venue other than the table centres as the barn was already decorated with silk flowers that suited our colours," says Bec.

The table centres were stunning. As Bec explains: "Our florist used tall thin vases and wound two calla lilies around the inside of the vase with a further three coming out of the vase at different heights."

The food
After the ceremony, canapés were served. "We had mini sausage and mash, steak and fries, and fish goujons and fries," says Bec. For the wedding breakfast the couple decided a buffet would be the best option. "We decided to have a buffet because we hoped it would mean that everyone would have something they liked to eat. The food was amazing!" As well as vegetarian options and plenty of potatoes and vegetables, the buffet also included a whole fresh salmon, prawns and chicken. For dessert the choice was equally mouthwatering leaving guests with a dilemma: what to go for - the profiteroles or "the most delicious toffee cheesecake" as Bec describes it. To keep guests' energy up bacon rolls, sausage rolls and a cheeseboard were served later on.

The best bits…

"Walking down the aisle will always be one of my most memorable moments because I saw everyone I love in one place. The party in the evening was also the best party we will ever go to in our lives!" says Bec.

Top tips…

Bec has the following advice for brides- and grooms-to-be: "I would say if your chosen venue has an open day or wedding fair, it is well worth attending, as you will get to see local talent showcased in the very place where you will be celebrating your big day. When we went to Cooling's open day, we met saxophonist Russ Davey. After hearing him play under the gazebo in the gardens, we couldn't imagine our wedding without him."

"The only thing to go wrong on the day was that the car company we used only sent one car and there were supposed to be two. My bridesmaids ended up having to get in a taxi to get to Cooling, but the taxi driver didn't know where he was going. They had to follow us so we had to keep stopping on the way to let them catch up."

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