Dressed with a carnival of bunting, festoon lights, heart decorations, hay bales and jugs spilling with blooms, The Barn at South Milton was a stunning setting to take their vows - so much so that Emma, whose hopes of marrying outdoors had been dashed by the weather, felt the rustic space was an even better backdrop for their heartfelt ceremony.
The personal dimension of the day spilled over into the ceremony itself; the legal proceedings had already taken place, so Emma and Mike exchanged their own vows, interspersed with a series of readings from friends and family. "I loved Mike's vows. He is always making everyone laugh and he had added some really funny bits, like catching spiders and making cups of tea!" recalls Emma.
Dressed in their wedding finery - with Emma donning a classic 1950s style gown accessorised with a pink tulle underskirt - the couple broke with tradition to enjoy some special moments together prior to the ceremony. "Mike and I had a secret meet behind the house before we saw everyone else so we could shake off our nerves," reveals Emma. "This was my favourite moment. Seeing Mike calmed me down and made me realise how excited I was for the rest of the day. Nobody else could see us; we were in our own little bubble before the whirlwind of a day happened! I love to think back to it now; it's a moment we will remember forever!"
Elderflower wine, Pimm's and cream tea canapes greeted guests on the lawn following the ceremony, along with a range of games and ice creams. Adding to the interactive element of the day, guests were given photo competition cards and disposable cameras, while a cake competition saw the best bakers being awarded prizes by the newly-weds. "It was so nice to see the effort everyone had put into the cakes," says Emma. "We had some really yummy and creative ones!"
A family-style feast took the form of a catered barbecue, crammed with the likes of pulled pork, chicken skewers, paprika pork, Mediterranean vegetables, halloumi cheese and sausages, while Emma made the dessert: a vanilla sponge cake with butter cream and jam filling.
The newly-weds ensured they took some time out for photos on the beach. "It was so pretty there at dusk," says Emma. "After such a busy day being pulled from pillar to post, this was a really nice moment of calm!" Then it was back to the party, where a combination of The Jasmine Hill Band and a personalised iPod playlist kept the dance floor in full swing throughout the evening.
"Don't stress out about the little things; nobody but you will know they're not exactly as you had planned them to be. You soon realise it's only about the two of you showing everyone how much you love each other!" Emma advises other busily planning couples. "Book the best photographer you can," she adds. "Your photos are the only things you'll have after the wedding to transport you back to those special moments!"
Photography Norsworthy Weddings
Venue The Barn at South Milton www.thebarnatsouthmilton.co.uk
Catering The Dinner Service www.thedinnerservice.com
Dress Vivien of Holloway www.vivienofholloway.com
Bridesmaid dresses In One Clothing www.inoneclothing.com
Groom's outfit Next www.next.co.uk
Hair and make-up Jodi Townsend
Entertainment The Jasmine Hill Band
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
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