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Early days…
"I first met Gareth when he joined the sixth form of the girls' school I attended," says Laura who knew from very early on that she was in love with him. "Even when we lived apart for four years while studying at uni, he was the only one I was thinking of."
The proposal…
While on holiday in Turkey, Gareth presented Laura with an oval solitaire diamond on a platinum band. "It didn't come as a surprise as Gareth had been very traditional and asked for my dad's permission first," Laura explains.
Hen and stag parties…
Both Laura and Gareth ended their single days abroad. "Me and two friends went to Alicante for some good, clean fun, while Gareth and
11 friends partied in Barcelona," says Laura.
The venues…
Laura and Gareth wanted to say 'I do' in a historic building. "The 14th century Archbishop's Palace with the river running behind it was the perfect setting," says Laura. The couple booked the ceremony venue 12 months ahead of the wedding, and then booked the reception venue.
"We had relatives coming from Ireland and Wales, some of whom were visiting Kent for the first time, and so we wanted them to get a real feel for the beautiful countryside," Laura explains. For this reason the couple plumped for The Hop Farm.
The dress…
The bride Laura wore a Sottero & Midgley dress with shoulder
straps. It had a plunging neckline and low back with a jewel encrusted bodice and a crystal brooch at the centre of the neckline. "It had a voluminous tulle skirt," says Laura. To accessorise, she added a
two-tier veil decorated with crystal droplets, a crystal tiara and diamanté drop earrings. She dispensed with superstition and chose not to have something old, new, borrowed and blue.
The groom Gareth wore a morning suit, burgundy cravat and cream striped waistcoat and sported a red rose button hole.
The wedding party Laura's two cousins Verity and Chloe took on the all-important role of bridesmaids, while best friend Claire completed the trio of helpers as matron-of-honour. The three women wore
port-coloured satin dresses with diamanté detail on the top.
To keep warm, their shoulders were covered with elegant yet cosy shrugs, and they each carried a bouquet of cream roses accented by winter foliage.
The decorative touches…
Just one of the really great things about getting married in the festive season is that some of the decoration will be in situ already, and Laura and Gareth's big day was no exception; at the foot of the stairs leading to the banqueting suite was a huge Christmas tree. Add to this the spiral staircase which the couple's florist decorated with red and cream roses and seasonal foliage, and it was the perfect backdrop to a gorgeous winter wedding.
In keeping with the colour theme, Laura and Gareth opted for white cotton chair covers simply decorated with burgundy taffeta sashes. Crystals scattered on the tablecloths added a touch of sparkle while the two-foot fluted vases containing roses and winter foliage completed the day's elegant feel. "The main table centrepiece had blue spruce, oranges spiked with cloves, and rosemary for scent," explains Laura.
To enhance the festive feel of the day, the couple placed alternate red and gold baubles in each wine glass.
Useful Contacts:
Bride's dress
Gowns at Jodi's
www.weddingdresses.uk.com |
Ceremony venue
Archbishop's Palace
www.akentishceremony.com |
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Photographer
Nick James
www.jamesnph.co.uk |
Reception venue
The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood
www.thehopfarm.co.uk |
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