KATHRYN & SIMON’S tent and tipi wEDDING

As well as the suppliers mentioned above, we would also like to thank Beth Haxby for creating a delicious wedding cake enjoyed by all our guests. In addition:

• wonderful wine was provided by Flunder Wines
• guest biscuit tags were designed by Take The Biscuit UK
• coffee was provided by Dark Habit Coffee
• tableware was styled by Banqueting Hire
• our amazing singer, Serena Grant
• head makeup artist, Kaylor Wright

From the outset, I wanted a venue that could accommodate the whole wedding day celebration without travelling between the various parts (ceremony, reception/ wedding breakfast, etc.). I also wanted a venue that could accommodate a sailcloth marquee because I wanted a summer wedding, and I thought that the sailcloth, in particular, looked so elegant, especially when decorated with fairy lights. Butley Priory was the perfect backdrop. They had the best spaces to combine an indoor ceremony with a beautiful garden reception and marquee wedding breakfast in the historic priory. I wanted the day to be full of colour with a relaxed feel, which I think we achieved. We enjoyed the long, banqueting-style tables in the marquee, and I think these worked well with the style of flowers we chose. I didn’t want too much to be matching – I deliberately made sure none of the wedding party was in anything matching (colour or style-wise)! The bottom line was that we just wanted to throw a really good party with good food and an abundance of drinks, and after the year everyone had in 2020, I think all of our guests were very much up for that!

•   Sounds obvious, but start planning as early as possible. I was so shocked at how quickly suppliers get booked up in advance. This was particularly stressful when we had to postpone our wedding due to Covid and then essentially had to re-book the entire thing all over again. That was not fun! We were so lucky that our suppliers (bar one) could accommodate us the following year. Originally, as soon as we had booked the venue, I wrote down a list of all the suppliers that we needed to engage, and within two weeks, everything was booked. This was a huge relief and meant that I could then start focussing on the details. I know many people engage wedding planners for this kind of thing, but I wanted to control the process myself. It helps that I am decisive and knew what I wanted!
• Don’t skimp on the flowers! These can completely transform your venue and bring your vision to life. I had so many compliments on our flowers. They were super bright and colourful and made the ceremony room and the marquee look amazing.
• Find a great photographer and if they offer a “pre-wedding shoot”, do it! I was dreading having to do the couples shoot before the wedding, but actually, it was so good to meet our photographer, Jo, and get comfortable with her taking photos. It was painfully embarrassing at first, but by the end of it, I was totally over my embarrassment and, on the wedding day, didn’t think twice about Jo being around and taking photos of us all day. It was also good to understand how to move and be in front of the camera without looking awkward or posed.

Simon’s best man played the grand piano while the guests were waiting before the ceremony and then when I walked down the aisle, which was very special. We then had a guitar and vocalist, Serena, playing during our drinks reception outside in the courtyard, and she was brilliant and captured the relaxed vibe we were going for. Finally, we hired a DJ, Natalie from Earcandy, to play some chilled background tunes during the wedding breakfast in the marquee, which was then ramped up later on for the evening party and dancing.