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“Chris and I met through a mutual friend while cycling,” says Melissa, revealing the two were friends for a few years before romance blossomed. Chris’s proposal in their kitchen was perfect for Melissa. “It was a normal Saturday when we had been in the Peak District cycling and we were just planning what to do for the afternoon – I wouldn’t have wanted it to be anything different,” she reflects.
The idyllic setting of Deer Park Country House proved an ideal venue for their August wedding, being close to both families. “The great thing with Deer Park Country House was that many of our guests could stay the night before,” she explains. “We had a welcome dinner in the walled garden under the apple trees and played croquet. It meant getting ready the next day was really relaxed as we all had breakfast together, and it felt like a weekend rather than a rush of a day.”
After a morning soaking up the grounds of the venue and getting ready with her bridesmaids, Melissa glided down the lavender-lined aisle of the summer house in a bespoke Suzanne Neville gown. She was flanked by bridesmaids dressed in botanical prints, perfectly complementing the bridal bouquet and the lush surroundings. Chris’ teenage sons and some friends read short poems as the sun beamed down on the happy couple, with their guests celebrating the union with a confetti throw.
Everyone then headed to the gardens to enjoy canapés and drinks while a live performance by The Honest John Band added ambience. "We just wanted to make the most of the venue’s backdrop and stunning gardens,” says Melissa
The wedding breakfast was an incredible three-course feast. Starters of foie gras and guinea fowl, monkfish fritters and tomato salad were followed by rump of lamb, loin of cod and asparagus ravioli, before a dessert choice of passionfruit and white chocolate mousse, dark chocolate marquise and raspberry summer pudding. Guests savoured the feast at tables named after places the couple had visited together and decorated with colourful medleys of blooms.
Melissa and Chris chose John Legend’s All of Me for their first dance, which kick-started the dance floor and live band, while pizza served in the gardens kept revellers fuelled for the merriment. After a night of dancing, the newlyweds enjoyed a late night pizza snack in the venue's treehouse. “Waking up, we wished we could do it all over again!” says Melissa, who couldn't pinpoint a favourtie moment. "We just had such a wonderful day, with plenty of dancing and catching up,” she reminisces.
“Try and get everything done with two weeks to spare – you can then enjoy the build-up rather than doing jobs,” she says, offering practical advice for other couples. “And picking music takes longer than you think, so start mulling it over early!”
Photography GRW Photography grw.photography
Venue Deer Park Country House deerpark.co.uk
Dress Suzanne Neville from Frances Day Bridal francesday.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Reformation thereformation.com
Suits Moss moss.co.uk
Hair Devon Wedding Hair devonweddinghair.co.uk
Make-up Fiona Miller fionamillermakeup.co.uk
Flowers Sarah Broom Floral Design sarahbroomfloraldesign.co.uk
Stationery Jon O’Brien from InsideOut Creative insideout-creative.co.uk
Entertainment The Honest John Band honestjohnband.co.uk
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