Perfect Organisation!
The bride for this wedding was enormously organised - "Efficiency is the key! The more organised it all is, the more relaxed I am!" - she sent in her email when I congratulated her. And it certainly worked.
The marquee went up on the Wednesday as it was very big. It came through a new provider to Shillingstone, Maidmans Marquees from Verwood – www.maidmansmarquees.com / 07963375618. They were the first company to provide hard hats for their team.
The groom came over to see that everything was in the correct place.
On Thursday the bride’s parents came over to check how things were progressing and to choose their pitch for the bell tent that they had ordered for the weekend from Dorset Bell Tents – https://www.dorsetbelltents.com
Friday brought an army of relations, groomsmen and bridesmaids to set out the haybales that had been organised for seating outside, laying tables and putting decorations in place.
The groom is very keen on his bands and the tables were all called after different groups.
The sound system was set up and luckily tested as there was interference from the generator – Kaleidoscope Sound and Light Systems - which was used for the speeches and later by a friend who organised the disco.
https://www.yell.com/biz/kaleidoscope-sound-and-light-bournemouth -
Flowers were arranged by New Street Flowers from Poole to frame the entrance to the gazebo ready for the ceremony the next day – beautiful huge peonies and hydrangeas which looked amazing. They also provided the flower arrangements for the tables, bouquets and buttonholes.
https://www.newstreetflowers.com/ Phone: 01202 674889/ shop@newstreetflowers.com (The gazebo photographs were taken the next day with guest queuing for food in the background)
Whilst this was happening, a group of groomsmen were trying to put up a screen to show the pictures the chief bridesmaid had arranged for the next day. I wish I had had a mobile with me and could have videoed the proceedings!
A bar was set up in an alcove off the marquee by Perfect Wedding Day Services – they can cover all wedding services if you want - https://www.perfectdayweddingservices.co.uk/ 01305 789166/ sales@perfectdayweddingservices.co.uk
Saturday and not a cloud in the sky. The groom and his friends arrived to check that everything was in place. They looked extremely smart but extremely hot as they had chosen to wear tweed three-piece suits to go with the country theme of the wedding, not thinking for a moment that they would have a heatwave. Most of them, including the groom, changed into shorts as soon as the ceremony was over!
The country theme continued with welly boots filled with flowers in front of the gazebo and the couple’s dog arriving in time for the photographs.
Barbara Hooper from String4u - 01202 624554/ stringks4u@talktalk.net – set up on the dance floor of the marquee ready to play for the ceremony. They have an extensive play-list and the selection they play is chosen by the client.
Guests began to arrive about 12.00 and took their places in the marquee or mingled on the lawn. Some went to set up their tents in the camping ground.
The "Festicole" had started!
The bride, who looked stunning in a very simple but very beautiful dress with a long train, went into the house to meet the Registrars where photographs were been taken of her and her bevy of bridesmaids on the steps of the house -four adults and four children.
She had chosen to come out of the house through the front door and then progress with her father under the catalpa tree and down the full length of the marquee before meeting her groom at the gazebo.
Ceremony over guests were invited to mingle on the lawns with a drink whilst amazing photographs were taken both formal and informal by Andrew Sibley Photographer - He took all the photographs not marked with a dot which are in house.
www.facebook.com/andysibleyphotography/ Mobile 07593843359
The couple had also chosen to use a Videographer, Daniel Henry. Earlier in the morning, I had heard a buzzing sound and seen someone lurking in the field. On challenging him, I found it was part of the Videographer team with a drone taking really beautiful film of the house! - Daniel Henry on Vimeo/ https://vimeo.com/danielhenry/ www.danmhenry.com/ 07779625639
Food was a little delayed as the Pizza company had hit traffic in their journey from Watford. Once here they quickly set up shop and delicious pizzas were soon pouring out of the oven set in the front of a “Mini” car. The home team had a taste and they were deemed delicious. They also provided salads etc. - Soho Pizza – Kris Read - E-mail: info@sohopizza.co.uk / Call: Kris on 07917822227 /www.sohopizza.co.uk
More photographs of the bride and groom were taken in the gardens and guests tried out the lawn games and explored the grounds.
At 6pm the reception guests began to arrive and Jack and a Box started to play. Jack & A Box is a Duo, Jack English and Ben Court, based in North Dorset, who play a wide range of covers from Johnny Cash through to Mumford & Sons. - https://en-gb.facebook.com. They were excellent and had our family jiving in the walled garden as we picked the vegetables. The first of some amazing music.
More food in the shape of a Hog Roast appeared – Ben has been to Shillingstone several times before - Hog Roast BBQ/01202 421760 / www.hogroastbbq.com - Jack and a Box played a second before leaving.
Midlife Crisis took over for the first dance. More music right up our street! Leuan, Glyn, Lee and Paul specialise in 50/60/70s music and the dance floor was packed. Leuan - 07971 007431 / Glyn - 07855 258422 / contact@midlife-crisis.co.uk.
10.30 Jack Harlow, a friend, played for half an hour before a disco took over until midnight when guests wended their way to their tents. The end of a wonderful, beautifully organised day. The bride and groom spent their wedding night in our bell tent in the walled garden.