Alice and Matt first locked eyes across a bar in Winchester. Later that night, fate intervened when their friendship groups crossed paths at the city’s only nightclub. “Matt asked for my number, and I assumed I had given him the wrong one by mistake,” says Alice. “But when a text arrived a few days later, it turned out I hadn't after all.”
After eight years together, Matt proposed in Chitwan, a national park in Nepal. As the rescue elephants began their evening walk, he dropped to one knee, presenting a sea glass and diamond ring. “I immediately burst into tears and, of course, said yes!” says Alice.
Now living in Thailand, the couple planned their dream celebration at Trevenna from Nepal. “We loved the fact we could have 40 of our friends and family stay with us,” says Matt. “It just felt like a wonderful little holiday!” Inspired by the vibrancy of Nepal, their wedding day was full of personality, with a bold palette of pinks and oranges, and details such as ties, pocket squares and bunting fabric handmade in Kathmandu.
A drizzly morning meant their ceremony was moved indoors to the Mowhay. “The Mowhay was the perfect setting – Intimate and full of warmth, with that stunning window as the backdrop,” says Alice. “We wanted our ceremony to be a true reflection of us – fun, personal and full of meaning.” Alice walked down the aisle with both parents, setting the tone for a non-traditional, heartfelt ceremony. Their celebrant, Mel, wove a beautiful narrative shaped by their travels, and the couple wrote their own vows.
During the run-up to the wedding, the couple faced the heartbreaking loss of Matt's father and grandmother - and honouring the memory of his mother and father was incredibly important throughout the day. “We reserved seats for them in the ceremony as well as including them in the speeches, Matt’s pin and our loved ones table. It was a small but meaningful way to keep them close,” explains Alice.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed drinks and canapés as Over the Threshold played an acoustic set. The sun appeared just in time for photos, before guests sat down to a feast featuring Cornish lamb, sea bass, courgette and mushroom Wellington, sticky toffee pudding and triple chocolate brownie. Then came the speeches. “Each one was heartfelt, funny and personal,” says Alice.
Handmade lawn games created by Alice’s sister and dad were a hit, keeping guests entertained until it was time to cut the cake – featuring edible illustrations of the couple’s rescue cats in Nepal, which delighted guests. The couple’s first dance was to Ten Feet Tall by Wrabel. “It’s been our song since the first year we met,” says Alice. The dance floor was packed all night. “We ended the night with sparklers and an impromptu shoulder ride – an unforgettable way to wrap up the most incredible day,” she reflects.
Looking back, Alice says the ceremony and speeches were amongst their highlights. But most of all, it was about the people: “Having 40 of our favourite humans with us all weekend made it unforgettable! Everyone got on so well and so many people said it was one of the most memorable and most relaxed weddings they’d been to. Alice’s advice to other couples? "Unexpected things will happen in the run-up to your wedding, but trust your instincts and lean on your family and friends. Bring in as much personality as you can into your ceremony and write your own vows. And if you’re thinking of having an evening outfit—bring it. I wish I had!”
Photography Laura Buffery Photography laurabufferyphotography.co.uk
Venue Trevenna trevenna.co.uk
Dress Charlie Brear from St Ives Bridal Boutique stivesbridalboutique.co.uk
Veil Velo Bianco velobianco.com
Alterations April Bailey Bespoke aprilbaileybespoke.co.uk
Suits Dobell dobell.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Kate's Dresses katesdresses.co.uk
Hair & make-up Ione Makeup & Hair Artist makeupbyione.com
LJP Bridal Hair and Makeup ljpbridal.co.uk
Flowers Escential Blooms escentialblooms.co.uk
Cake Trevenna trevenna.co.uk
Stationery Joy withjoy.com
Beloved Creations belovedcreations.co
Lighting Light Up Weddings instagram.com/light_up_weddings
Entertainment Over the Threshold overthethreshholdband.co.uk
Videography The Motion Farm themotionfarm.co.uk
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