Wedding Planning – Part 1

1st December 2019

Part 1 - Theme, Flowers & Photography

Our “Win a Wedding” competition winners David & Kelly are busy planning their big day, which will take place in March 2021. Read on to hear how they are working with our expert suppliers in making their dreams come true!

Where did you begin with your wedding planning?

One of the first things to do (importantly!) was to book the registrar then for Kelly, it was finding her dress to make sure it arrived in-time! She chose it from a boutique in Dublin and from there we could build our ideas for colours, themes and flowers around that.

We worked together to make our own homemade concertina invitations, a simple design with our own finger-prints ink pressed into the shape of a heart. It was important we got the invites sent before Christmas so people could save the date.

We were lucky in that the Devonshire Arms arranged for us to meet all our suppliers in one jam-packed day, which we were grateful for and enabled us to decide on a lot of elements in one day.

Tell us about your plans so far.

Having made a lot of decisions during the supplier’s day, we were able to leave them to it and check-in every so often to confirm the plans we’d made. That’s allowed us time put together the items we’re making ourselves, like the table plan, name settings, favour boxes, confetti cones and photo boards – it’s been fun to get hands-on and work together on them.

We’ve also had fun putting together our music playlists, enjoying our own carpool karaoke sessions during it! We’ve got a real mix of genres and songs as well as “I promise to dance if you play” guest requests from the invites. We’ve added a Bongo and Saxophone player called Bongo ‘Pete’ Williams to accompany our DJ (Ziggy) so that’s sure to get everyone dancing! Kelly has her hair and make-up trial this weekend in Skipton, with Jodie Bloomer. Her looks are lovely.

David chose his 3-piece suit a couple weeks ago but dressing the three groomsmen has been harder work than sorting out the five bridesmaids! With five weeks to go, they’ve finally settled on a navy suit with muted-gold ties and pocket, which looks really smart.

DAVID: And I’ve begun writing my speech, which is making me nervous already!

KELLY: I suppose I better check that my Dad is writing his!

Do you have a particular theme in mind for your wedding?

It will be whimsical, elegant and classic, with a few modern touches. As it’ll be Springtime, we want to include some hints to the new season as well as a few things being in homage to Ireland.

How are you dressing the venue?

With lots of flowers, candles and fairy lights! We discussed with Shelley from Ambience, how to have the tables dressed to really accentuate the theme and romantic feel. Then, during the evening reception we’ll have some paper lanterns hanging over the dancefloor.

Our main feature throughout the day will be a moon-gate entwined with flowers and hanging light-globes. Our friends and family should like that as a back-drop for their photos!

As we both love wine and you walk through the hotel’s wine cellar, we’ll have a wooden step-ladder with wine bottles printed with the table plan as a focal display. Also, in the entrance room will be three gold-hoops each with suspended photos of us and our loved ones – we hope these will be a talking point for guests.

What flowers have you chosen?

With Vanessa’s expertise, the types of flower we are going to have will include ivory, nude and pale pink, bringing through hints of cerise to tie in with the bridesmaid dresses and using Spring flowers like parrot tulips, chrysanthemums and roses and asparagus fern and eucalyptus leaves.

The bridesmaids bouquets and hair designs will feature gypsophila.

What style of photography have you chosen?

Our photographer, Georgina, is excellent at combining classic, portrait shots with modern and fun photos. We’re lucky to have a slot after the ceremony at the spectacular Bolton Abbey Priory, where we will get some atmospheric, outdoor shots. We’re also hoping to get some with our two dogs, Benny and Bella (if they behave themselves!)

KELLY: I’m looking forward to the confetti photo. Most importantly, we will get plenty of natural shots with our family and friends enjoying our day.