This post is the start of a new blogging approach for Gilbert and Evans. We wanted something more personal, some way of communicating a bit more about the fantastic people we spend our days with. We know that readers of the blog are interested in what we get upto and we also know that our couples love to see their wedding highlights online, so we’re putting it all together and are inviting our Brides to tell their story as an introduction to our images. First up is Heather.
“I met Alex whilst on a girl’s night out 4 years ago. One of Alex’s mates thought I was worth getting to know better but I didn’t agree and then Alex came to ‘apologise’ for his friend’s behaviour! He was more successful and left with my number! After 3 months and going strong I went to Australia for 2 months on business and was due to stay for an extra month to see friends since I previously lived there. We had daily chats until Alex decided to he needed to see me, aah…….he flew out on Christmas Day! We spent the next 4 weeks together 24/7 and the rest is history.
Travel is our passion and it was at Machu Picchu, Peru when Alex popped the question. I did not see it coming as we had just completed the gruelling 4 day Inca Trail hike, exhaustion, beauty and OMG made it a very emotional moment but an absolute YES. Alex had the ring which he had stapled to the inside of his rucksack for the previous 2 weeks so I wouldn’t find it.
(Read more after the photographs.)
We wanted a traditional wedding but we also wanted individuality. For us it was the venue not the location. Originally we went in search of a Scottish Castle because of Alex’s heritage.We wanted exclusive use, old, stunning, guest accommodation, great food and the perfect place for their vows and we didn’t want to be in a tent (marquee). After many hours web searching we found Orchardleigh House , near Frome in Somerset. It ticked all the boxes. The date and venue was set a year ago but with our move south and new jobs planning stopped! Orchardleigh kept phoning to make plans; finally it all came together in just three months. At first I had no idea of a theme but when I found my dress, made bespoke by a small boutique in Brighton complete with a red lace-up back, the colour theme was set. We had 2 bridesmaids, 2 flower girls, the best man, 2 ushers, 2 fathers and 2 page boys! We coordinated everything with the red / ivory theme. Red gerberas added the finishing touches.
We had a big BBQ the night before, lots of fun and highly recommended for the extra time you get to spend with your guests, though I think there was a few sore heads on the day! The day itself was unbelievable. The weather was perfect with blue skies and sunshine. My bridesmaids plied me with bubbles while I was getting ready, it really relaxed my nerves. We took our vows at the church with the lynch gate. It is accessed through the estates castellated gateway. I was driven to church in my boss’s 1950’s Bentley. The vicar was fantastic, very relaxed and funny too. Alex and I couldn’t stop grinning at each other; we loved every minute of the service.
Our reception drinks and canapés were served on the lawn, I only remember one as we were so busy, I missed out on the bubbles too!! Alex made the table names from photographs stitched together from our various travel adventures. The wedding breakfast was amazing; everyone said how excellent the food was. Alex chose the cake or should I say cakes. My mum did an amazing job producing an exact replica of the picture Alex had given her. Each couple were given a mini cake to take away the next morning.
It’s hard to pick my favourite moment: I loved walking out of church as Mr and Mrs Davison, the confetti thrown at the lynch gate, the private photo shoot at the castellated gateway with Simon and Helen. Being told how happy we looked, my dad clutching me for dear life as we walked down the aisle, seeing my very tall handsome husband waiting for me in church. Erin, the 4 year old who thought I was Cinderella and that was my castle! Fab photo of one of these many moments she came for a cuddle. Love the photo at the lynch gate when Alex looks so smug!
The speeches were really funny and soon we were dancing the night away, though most people could not leave the ‘Groovy Booth’ alone, it was a real hit with young and old. We had a Ceilidh and later a DJ……as our invites said ‘stay at our house for the day and dance ‘til the last man standing’. Alex and I crashed and burned long before the party was over but we can truly say that Orchardleigh was the best venue we could have wished for, everyone was able to let their hair down and celebrate.
Simon and Helen were great, fun yet totally relaxed. They were with us from the early preparations to well after the first dance, their photography has seized every moment and angle of our day yet where were they? It was their photojournalist style of capturing the day that made us choose them. Even the more formal photos are fabulous. We really like the photos with the little detail, the date on the newspaper, our bedroom door plaque, the estate map etc. Then there are the photos like the B & W of my dad and the car coming to church that look like they belong in another era. We were never really aware of their presence and for our last private photo shoot they took us away from the noise and intensity of the day, they asked us to walk, sit, chat but somehow it felt like it was just the 2 of us taking 5 sat on the steps at dusk!
My only niggle is that I never threw my bouquet!
It really was our Fairy Tale wedding.”
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