Adrienne & Barry’s Real Life Wedding

“Barry proposed whilst we were on holiday in Hurghada, Egypt on the 28th February 2017. It was our first full day on holiday as a family of 3. We had just spent the day swimming in the pool with our daughter. He proposed whilst we were on the beach.”

What was your first step in planning your wedding?
“We booked to go to some wedding fayres to start looking at some venues and suppliers to get ideas started a wedding Pinterest board. We also used a combination of wedding magazines, Google and Pinterest.”

What were your wedding “must have’s”?
“We wanted a venue that could accommodate our guests overnight. Somewhere that we felt we could see ourselves hosting our wedding.”

Wedding budget: how did you organise your wedding budget?
“We wrote down a list of everything that we thought we needed and an approximate price to go with each item on the list. Researched and investigated approximate costs. Tried to stick to each budget or even save on estimated budget.”

Wedding venue: how did you search for a wedding venue?
“We started researching venues online and asking friends for recommendations. We also visited a few wedding fayres.”

Image courtesy of Will Reddaway

What made you choose your wedding venue?
“We pretty much fell in love with St Audries Park from the moment we drove down the drive and saw the House and Grounds. We both couldn’t stop smiling.”

Styling your wedding: how did you personalise your big day?
“We delayed our wedding from summer 2018 to Feb 2019 due to the arrival of our second child.

Winter and the Deer Park gave us the idea for the theme and colours for our wedding.
We chose a white, silver, grey and blue colour scheme.  All incorporated in our theme, from the silver/grey glitter invites with an embossed stag, to the favour boxes along with evening sparklers for that winter sparkle.”

Wedding photographer: how did you choose your photographer?
“We found Will Reddaway at a wedding fayre in Exeter at the Centre Point. We went to the fayre with the specific intention of finding a photographer. We saw many we liked, but Wills work touched us and really loved his style. We phoned him back a few weeks later arranged to meet him and instantly knew he was our guy.”

Wedding suppliers: how did you choose your suppliers?
“We went to several fairs mainly to get ideas and inspiration. Our florist we found at a fayre at Dillington House. Our cake lady at one of St Audries Park open days.”

Describe your wedding attire (Was it the style you thought you’d have? How did you feel when you put it on?)
“I wanted my dress to be comfortable. Not too restrictive and comfortable that I would be able to pick up our children in it. I didn’t want too much embroidery or detail in case it would catch when picking up the children. I was also conscious of having just had my children I was a bit body conscious.”

“The team at Sassi Holford were amazing and listened to my thoughts about a dress as well as my budget. The dress itself was totally not what I imagined style wise I would go for. However the detail on the top caught my eye. When I tried the dress on I couldn’t stop smiling.”

What accessories did you wear on the day?
“I wore my Pandora charm bracelet as I have charms from my children on there. I wore a head piece from Ivory & Co with a matching pair of earrings which were a gift from one of my best friends. A broach from my brother’s girlfriend which represented something old, new, borrowed and blue. My underwear was from Victoria Secret. My Shoes were from Rainbow Club called Billie which I had dyed to match the blue in the groomsmen’s ties.”

Image Courtesy of Will Reddaway

What did your partner wear?
“Barry and his groomsmen wore the same matching suit. A French navy (brighter blue) suit and ties from Next whilst the Shirts from M&S and brown brogue shoes from Shuh. Barry chose the colour and the suits.”

Tell us about your Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and their outfits
“Barry had his best friend Jim as his best man. His brother and my brother were ushers. My Dad also wore the same suit.”

“My bridesmaids and page boys were my children and god children. My eldest god daughter Abi (15) my god daughter Zoe (10) with my god son Ethan (8), my daughter Poppy (2) and my son Casey (1)”

“The boy’s outfits were blue suits from Next to compliment the groomsmen. Abi’s silver/grey dress was from Quiz. Zoe and Poppy’s dresses were silver and grey. (Zoe had full length version) of the same dress from Trishscully.com”

What was your biggest wedding splurge?
“My dress was the biggest spend, (I later found out my Mum bought my dress for me as her gift to me.)”

What was your biggest wedding saving?
“The main cost saving would be our florist as she also managed to decorate all of our tables, the venue, bouquets, pinholes and corsages as well as the mother’s bouquets, all for under our estimated budget.”

What was your ceremony like?
“My Dad walked me down the aisle. We had two readings. The ‘Alchemist’ and ‘He never leaves the seat up’”
“I walked down the aisle to the music ‘A thousand Years’ by Christina Perri.”

Tell us about your drinks reception and wedding breakfast.
“Our Main Course consisted of a choice of Chicken/Somerset Pork/Vegetarian Wellington.”

“Our best man excelled himself and received a rapturous applause! He sang a song and he even produced giant size heads of the bride and groom!”

Tell us about your first dance – what song did you chose and why?
“First off we had ‘Baby Shark’ for our 2 year old daughter who is obsessed with this dance followed by ‘How long will I love you’ by Ellie Goulding as we love the words and sentiment and we wanted a song that spoke about the love we have for each other. It was the most perfect song we could have chosen.”

What was the most memorable moment of the day?
“The snow! It totally nearly ruined the wedding, however the sun was shining on our day!
All of our guests braved the weather and made it to celebrate our day with us. The day couldn’t have turned out more perfect.”

Did any members of staff stand out to you in particular?
“Our amazing Personal Wedding Manager Hayley for simply being there for us at every stage. Also a huge shout out to Jade, who was always the most amazing person we went to for help before we were assigned Hayley. She even text me photos of the venue the day before to calm my nerves about the snow and the accessibility of the venue.”

What did you enjoy the most about St Audries Park?
“The breath taking views of the house and accommodation. Every one of our guests were so amazed at our wonderful venue!”

Based on your own experience, give us some top tips.
“Try not to worry about the things that are out of your control, for example the weather! What will be, will be! Stick to your budget and don’t worry about the fluffy stuff for example, items you don’t necessarily need.”

“If we could do it all again, we’d…”
“Do exactly the same!”

Did you go on a honeymoon or mini-moon?
“We enjoyed a 5 day mini moon in Vegas! We went on the Monday after our wedding.  Later in the year we will enjoy a Honeymoon/family moon.”

Purchase & Hire – Tell us who your suppliers were:

Hair & Makeup: Leanne Jane Hair & Make Up

Bridal Party: Sassi Holford

Accessories: Ivory & Co

Wedding Cake: Dreams & Wishes

Photographer: Will Reddaway Photography

Florist: Fleur Am

 

If you have any questions relating to having your wedding at St Audries Park, please don't hesitate to call Sally via the contact details below:

Sally

T: 01984 633 633
E: info@audries-park.co.uk

March Flash Sale! Save £1,000 if you book by 31st March 2024Tell me more