'Wow, wow, wow. So today I was at the stunning 'Dairy' over at Waddesdon Manor up in Buckinghamshire. My bride and groom (two absolute adventure and travel enthusiasts!) are just the perfect pair, and their story reads like something out of a movie.
During their very first meeting he "rescued her" and then they began a journey that has seen them travelling around the world witnessing sights and experiencing all manner of awe inspiring places. Today, they made Waddesdon their home for their wedding celebrations, and my goodness was it a fabulous one. With a last minute Hawaiian theme, the two pavilions overlooking the lake at the Dairy, were adorned with palm leaves and huge blooms, there were surf boards instead of guest books for guests to write their good wishes, and everyone sported a floral necklace. It was a riot of colour amongst the abundance of greenery that surrounds the lake.
The couple love the water, and so they wanted to be as close to it as they could (sadly a ceremony on the lake was not possible) so we opted for the next best thing and stood right next to the waters edge. . . on the opposite side from the guests! This was a new one for me, and so my wireless and battery operated PA system came into its own this afternoon, providing amplified sound during the ceremony so that everyone could hear their bespoke ceremony over on the pavilions.
With everyone seated, the groom had his own special moment, entering the lake from one side of the pavilions, accompanied by live ukulele music, and then I introduced the bridesmaids, who entered from the other side of the lake (it was quite the logistical challenge!) and finally came the bride and her amazing dad, who danced around the lake towards us to her favourite song "My Girl". The father of the bride was in shades, and was quite the bridal attendant, and he remained with us for the first part of the ceremony before taking his seat with the guests to enjoy the celebrations.
There were emotional tears, laughter and big smiles as I told their story, and they recalled memories of their journey to their wedding day. The couple chose not to have any readings, and so the ceremony remained intimate, and focussed just on them and their fabulous story. They exchanged personal vows, rings and then all guests moved to the side of the lake to form a human walkway, ready to throw confetti as they emerged as a newly confirmed wedded couple.
Our signing table was on a little secret land bridge between two lakes, and hidden behind a huge weeping willow, out of the guests' view, so it became chance for them to have a moment to themselves. Once witnesses had completed the certificate signing, I announced their exit, and all of the guests cheered and threw leaves as an alternative to traditional confetti petals.
It was a wedding full of love, laughter and the couple were just adorably besotted with one another.
Congratulations Amanda and Emerson!!
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Celebrant - Knight Ceremonies
Venue - Dairy at Waddesdon Manor (https://weddingsatwaddesdon.co.uk/dairy/)
Ukulele - Clive Harvey (http://www.cliveharvey.net/)
(Main image credit - David Bostock, all other images taken by myself during set-up)
