A festive romance turned into something much more meaningful for Rebecca and Tom, who met at a Christmas party. Fast-forward to a beautiful proposal on a rowing boat in the middle of Slovenia's Lake Bled, and the couple began planning their wedding ' with a festive theme, of course.
'We had a cream and green, classic Christmas theme with lots of candles and foliage,' says Rebecca, of the inspiration for their December wedding. Planning a wedding during the current pandemic, however, meant they had to cut their guest list down from 120 to 15, but Rebecca's positive outlook meant this didn't dim their excitement.
'Actually, a wedding of 15 with your nearest and dearest makes the day feel even more special and surprisingly fun so it's definitely still worth considering a smaller one, particularly through these uncertain times,' she reflects.
With lots of help from Rebecca's mum, the couple planned an afternoon ceremony with their very closest friends and family. The couple spent a memorable morning with their bridesmaids and ushers and, as the bridesmaids changed into their glitzy emerald green dresses and Rebecca into her Justin Alexander gown, the festive sense of occasion was palpable.
'My dad seeing me in my dress for the first time was a real standout part of the day for me,' remembers Rebecca. 'He was having a hard time trying not to cry!' What followed was an emotional and poignant ceremony in Rockbeare Manor's light-filled ceremony room, followed by welcome drinks and canapés as the newly-weds ventured outside for photographs, which prompted their fondest memory of the day.
'My favourite moment was when the sun came out for our photos when it had been a cloudy and drizzly morning,' says Rebecca, with Katherine from Nova Wedding Photography agreeing. 'We couldn't believe our luck when the sun came out for a few minutes!' she says.
After a series of heartfelt speeches ' 'the best man's speech was very funny with lots of lovely childhood stories,' says Rebecca ' the newly-weds enjoyed an intimate candlelit dinner with their favourite people. The feast comprised a starter of spiced parsnip and butternut squash soup with homemade sourdough bread, a main course of sirloin steak with seasonal vegetables, potato gratin and hand-cut chips, and sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream for dessert. As the drinks flowed into the evening, the couple and their guests enjoyed a four-tier cheese cake, as well as pasties as a nod to Rebecca's mum's Cornish heritage.
Although the couple couldn't have a band due to the Covid-19 rules, they remarked on how little the other restrictions affected their celebrations. 'The day was perfect and how we imagined it!' says Rebecca. 'You also get to spend more quality time with your guests.'
And as for general advice, the happy-go-lucky bride has some wise words for those who are planning their own weddings. 'At the end of the day, a wedding is
about the love you have for each other above all else! Try not to stress over the little things and enjoy every moment.'
Photography Nova Wedding Photography novaweddingphotography.co.uk
Venue Rockbeare Manor rockbearemanor.co.uk
Dress Justin Alexander justinalexander.com
Hair Brigitte Fisher brigittefisher.co.uk
Make-up Laura Le Page lauralepagebridalmakeup.com
Bridesmaids' dresses Maya Deluxe mayadeluxe.com
Groom's outfit TM Lewin tmlewin.co.uk
Flowers Brompton Buds bromptonbuds.com
Stationery Lovestruck Stationery lovestruckstationery.co.uk
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