A blog from my team member Louise from one of her recent weddings. . . . 

"The sun came out, the sky was mottled with blue and white with the sun peeping out on this gorgeous September morning as I arrived at Woodhaven. The leaves on the trees were just starting to turn and fall from the trees and as I entered Woodhaven the place was a buzz with activity.

The girls were busy prepping in the kitchen making burgers to go on the BBQ, Jeremy was setting up the bar area and Nicky was busy moving tables and preparing the dining area. The autumnal-themed wedding was all starting to take shape in hues of red, orange, and green. Flowers were sitting on the dining tables and the bridal bouquet and maid of honour’s bouquets were sitting in beautiful bags awaiting their time.

 

 

 

Bart the photographer arrived as I was placing ivy along the aisle. We chatted about some of the shots, and his style of photography and he started to take photos of the room.

At 10.30 on the dot, Mike and Sue arrived, I wouldn’t have expected anything less of Mike who from his MOD days liked to be on time. Sue had mentioned to me that on one occasion he gave her an arrival time of 12.03 precisely!

Sue and Mike came down to the subterranean room where the ceremony was taking place and we had a chat about the service. Mike’s excitement was palpable, he was almost bouncing up and down he was so excited. Sue was naturally a little nervous but once in her changing room with a glass of wine, her daughter, and the bridal bouquets she was swept away by the preparations and the excitement supported by Zoe and Adam.

 

 

Upstairs Mike was saying hello to guests, making sure everything was set up how they wanted, and generally enjoying himself. I walked Zoe through what she was going to be doing and then Greg joined us and together we chatted about seating, where people would be standing, and what their roles as Maid of Honour and Best Man involved.

I even managed to get a photo together with Bart the photographer, he’s not often on the other side of the lens.  The men were all sporting the most beautifully crafted autumnal buttonholes which matched perfectly with Mike’s tailored suit with burnt orange ties. Jenny then joined us, and I explained her role as a witness.

 

 

 

I quickly went upstairs to put the beautiful petals in the confetti cones, and as I did I chatted to the guests who were enjoying a glass of bubbly as they waited and some lovely canapes. Mike was catching up with family and friends and soaking up the atmosphere outside in the sunshine. The youngsters were all gathered around a table chatting.

I found Sue’s long-time friend (also called Sue) who had just returned from Canada sitting quietly in the swimming pool changing area squirreling away catching up on her emails.

 

 

 

 

I took the opportunity to go around and see all the areas set up and the table looked amazing, covered in oak leaves, acorns, long wooden platters and with special touches to record the day and save wonderful memories.

The piece de resistance was the cake crafted by Jenny, which was absolutely beautiful as a tree trunk adorned by Sue and Mike as squirrels fitting in with all the save the dates, invitations, and the theme of autumn, acorns becoming oak trees as Bernard Shaw's poem describes with their initials carved into the tree trunk.

 

 

Meanwhile, Sue was now transformed into her bridal dress and looked stunning, demure, a bit apprehensive about being the centre of attention but enjoying a glass of champagne with Adam and Zoe. I called  everybody downstairs to be seated with Mike and Greg standing expectantly at the front as I gave the housekeeping message.

 

 

The smile on Mike’s face said it all, he could not wait to tie the knot. It was at this point that the highly sophisticated music system decided not to play ball and as we listened to the faint strains of “Somewhere only we know” by Lily Allen which was happily playing upstairs but not in the ceremony room Jeremy hurriedly fiddled with lots of buttons, I reassured Sue who was waiting to enter and Mike who was standing expectantly at the front and then we decided that rather than wait we would simply play the music loudly from upstairs and the wedding could begin.

As Zoe walked elegantly down the aisle followed by Sue on the arm of her son Adam, Mike watched with awe in his eyes and tender love.

 

 

Sue and Mike were united in front of their friends and family and the ceremony which had been crafted around Bernard Shaw's poem The Giant Oak Tree, the theme of Autumn, squirrels, and acorns, suddenly came to life for them both. Their love that started as a small acorn has grown into an oak tree and they have many more rings to add to the trunk as the years go by.

 

"One day it will be a giant oak,

To shelter me from the sun a sheltering cloak,

Lovers will carve their initials in the bark,

An arrow through the heart they will leave their mark."

 

Their love story unfolded, and Mike spoke from the heart in a beautifully crafted poem by Sue, all about the love they have for one another, it was deeply personal, full of evocative imagery, and drew together all the elements of their mutual love and the depth of their relationship. The final words were so beautiful, “ how ordinary and how incredible it is, this love we share.”

 

 

Sue and Mike  exchanged their vows and rings and having signed their certificates with Jenny and Greg as their witnesses, the newlyweds shared a kiss and were formally introduced to all their friends and family to the sound of cheers. The smile on both of their faces said it all, they had made it through the tunnel to the shining light ahead of them. It has been a long journey but together they are stronger, and their love burns brightly.

 

 

As they made their way to the garden to the strains of Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield, glasses of champagne were handed out, cones of confetti distributed as Bart lined the guests up for the confetti throwing. Sue and Mike walked along hand in hand as confetti and excited chatter filled the air as the sun shone down brightly on them. Mike spoke movingly about how he saw the day progressing, wanting everyone to feel relaxed, to eat and drink and enjoy themselves. A toast was made by Greg to the happy couple and the guests relaxed, drank, and ate nibbles.

I left them all enjoying each other’s company, catching up, and sharing memories. It was simply a beautiful day for a lovely couple entering their Autumn years, their mosaic has grown and as they hoped merged into one.

 

 

 

Congrats to Sue & Mike!

Louise x"

(All images in this blog were taken by Louise.  We look forward to seeing the official pictures soon!)

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Celebrant: Louise from Knight Ceremonies

Photographer: Bart (www.bartphoto.co.uk)