The Day We Wed - The Ceremony

We shared our wedding day with our closest family and friends at our favourite place, Calke Abbey. It was so personal, especially as it is where Dan proposed.

As the bridesmaids and I were getting ready, the boys arrived at Calke early to greet all of our guests in the stunning Calke Abbey Riding School that Sophie (of Honeysuckle and Castle) and I had worked so hard to make perfect.

The bridesmaids wore beautiful gowns by H&M (yes really...!) and the flower girls wore ivory dresses from Monsoon. Each carried a hand tied bouquet of lavender crafted by myself. The boys all wore morning suits hired from Greenwoods, including top hats and boutonnaires of wheat and lavender, again, crafted by myself.

My bridesmaids and I entered the ceremony to an acoustic version of Deadmau5's Arguru. A song that always reminds Dan and I of our first date to Fleetwood almost 6 years ago. My bridesmaid's brother Sam Hunt, did a fantastic job mixing the track for me so that it was more bridal than drum and bass... The perfect surprise for my husband to be.

It was a small and intimate gathering of only 34 guests in total. The drapes through the Riding School worked perfectly to make the open space intimate.

Louie did a fantastic job of looking after the rings and giving them to the registrar carefully. Our rings were specially made by Allen Brown Jewellers of Lichfield. Due to my engagement ring being such an unusual shape, we knew that we were going to need an expert jeweller to craft a wedding band to fit. Allen did a fantastic job of both of our unique wedding bands.

All images copywrite Ezekiel Taylor Photography

Part One - The Day we Wed

Part Two - The Ceremony

Part Three - The Gardens

With thanks to;

Honeysuckle and Castle - Wedding Planning Services
Ezekiel Taylor Photography - Wedding Photographer for the East Midlands
Phase Eight Bridal
The National Trust

Allen Brown Jewellers - Bespoke Jewellers to the West Midlands

#heidishen

For weeks and weeks, my bridesmaids and Mother Hen have been plotting behind my back, a secret Hen Party. All I have known is the date, I didn't even know who was going to attend. This morning, I got all ready and waited for my chauffeur to arrive (also known as my sister...), I donned my blindfold and off we went.
Even though I guessed the direction we were going on (I seriously think that my super power would be navigation!) I had no idea as to where we would be going or what we would be doing.

We arrived at Stapleford Park hotel. A beautiful 4 star country house deep in the Leicestershire countryside. We were escorted through the house to the billiard room which had been decorated beautifully by my little team of hens! Photographs covered the walls, canapés made by Becka decorated the table and two hair stylists were waiting to give us all vintage makeovers!

I was so pleased to see this friendly face! Helen, my friend from school who now lives in Edinburgh made it back to spend the day with us, it couldn't have been any more special! 

 In total there were 8 of us, Laura and Nicola from work, Hellie from school, Anna and myself, Mother Hen, Teresa my sister and my lovely Becka!!

After we had all been beautified, it was time for our afternoon tea. Most of us chose to sample the extensive tea menu. Coffee and Ameretto, Mango, Passionfruit and Hibiscus and Rose were just some of the delights that we chose. 

We had a traditional afternoon tea, with neat finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and a selection of petit fours.  

Thankfully we were indoors all day as the weather was frightful. The view from our window was of beautiful yellow rape fields and incredibly moody skies. Most of the day we watched the rain move in sheets over the golf course in the distance. We would have enjoyed a stroll through the gardens but unfortunately, I was the only one who came prepared, I was 'put off the scent' by being told to bring wellies and a raincoat.

On our way out I was able to see the beautiful surroundings, thankfully no longer blindfolded. We were escorted out by this little pheasant. 

It was a beautiful day, the girls went to so much effort creating a scrapbook, orchestrating a 'Mr and Mrs' quiz (we both got most of the questions right!) and baking so many different things! I had a truly wonderful day.

19 days to go!!!

If you happen to be on instagram, search #heidishen for more photos from the day!