Christmassy Wedding at Rivervale Barn

It was quite the journey to their wedding day for my pre-Christmas couple Thaila and Matt.

As Matt is in the Royal Marines and away from home a lot, it fell to Thaila to organise and plan their special day, and wow was it a fabulous one!

ceremony

wedding florals

When I arrived, the setting looked so pretty, with soft shades of pink throughout the floral displays and candlelight in the ceremony space. The reception barn was complete with a giant Christmas Tree and felt very elegant, perfect for a festive celebration!

I know Rivervale very well, so my checks and chats with staff and fellow suppliers are done so with ease and a wonderful sense of calm before everyone arrives. It is a fantastic space, and as guests began arriving, it is quite usual to hear gasps and lovely comments as it has a real sense of luxury and grandeur.

rafters

christmas at rivervale barn

Having had my check-in with the couple, it was time to seat their guests and set the tone for the day, with some upbeat messages, and a huge welcome for the groom. I love to do this as often people arrive feeling a little overwhelmed and unsure about how formal the day is.

When the procession began, the groom looked so very proud, and as his bride came into view looking absolutely sensational, there was a wonderfully emotional moment and they both looked relieved to be reunited at the front.

ladder

With everyone relaxed and ready to be a part of the ceremony, we had a couple of traditional moments but with a modern twist, and then glided into their beautiful love story.

"This love story begins at school, by the sports hall no less, where two youngsters were stood, rather awkwardly, and said “hi” . . ."

Telling a couple's love story is always an honour, and this one was full of funny moments, trying times from navigating their way through a long-distance relationship when Matt was away, and of course, love. They have grown up together, grown as a couple together, and so their sweet engagement felt like a lovely inevitability.

"They went to the river at Beaulieu and he had told Thaila to wear a dress. It was a boiling hot day, and they walked for quite some way to have a 'picnic'. Then under the guise of looking at some boats, Matt retrieved a small box and then went to Thaila and presented her with a beautiful ring, asking her to marry him."

couple photo display

We spoke of their triumphs, the everyday moments, and the people that are important to them, and brought everything together with their personal vows and ring exchange. We looked at why people exchange rings, and what it symbolises, and then followed this with eh signing of their wedding day certificate.

"Together they are happiest, and they love to play crazy golf, watch movies, be by the beach and enjoy fish and chips. Their time together is restricted, but it is precious, and they savour each moment that they have."

knight ceremonies at rivervale barn