From the second that we met Ellie and Mike (now Mr. & Mrs. Spencer) we knew that they had a certain style, real attention to detail and an eye for wowing the crowd.
Word on the ‘wedding Grapevine’ amongst fellow wedding suppliers had started whispering of Lamp posts, Christmas Trees, bejewelled table centres and stylish Dinner Jackets. It’s fair to say that we were all looking forward to this one – our last of 2018.
The big day arrived and Julie dropped into meet the Bride and her six Bridesmaids where a Christmas Tree and bags of goodies awaited each of them. Ellie looked radiant, even before her hair and make-up was done, but then she always does. When she was prepared by her team and wearing her dress she took her gorgeous bouquet provided by Flowers4 and walked in to see her Dad who had been waiting nervously for her in the other room. Rod dropped in to Mike and his Groomsmen (six counting the Dads) all dressed in fabulous Tuxedos with white bow ties. Their wedding day was underway and many, many presents were exchanged!
Then to St. Marys Church by the seaside in Worthing. This was a real fairy tale setting and just perfect for their wedding, and, of course, a huge Christmas tree took centre stage. Ellie arrived suitably and traditionally late and the nuptials began. Our cameras caught Dad shedding a tear along with a few members of the congregation and everyone’s neck hair tingled and goosebumps fizzled when the Choir began to sing – for this was no ordinary choir but one straight from the movies! Confetti of course, and lot’s of it!
After the service the couple slipped into a stretch limousine and, with their trusty photographer, headed down to the beach for some chilly, windswept, veil whisking photographs before heading off to their reception.
Ellie and Mike were greeted by the amazing staff at Field Place where this photographer witnessed a beautiful caring moment where Amanda (their coordinator) opened their car door and the look on her face when she saw them was pure delight! After a few photographs with Friends and Family on the new courtyard, Amanda showed them to one of the two Barns that would host their day. This is where all of the hard work, planning, reading magazines, saving, practising and downright creative juice melting all came into play. As, the doors swung open and the couple came face to face with their dream beautifully bought to life by the very clever and lovely people at Hire Your Day. Of course everybody cried. It was just too beautiful not to. Ellie and Mike had a sneaky kiss under the Mistletoe and the couple walked around their room. So many Christmas trees and vintage lamp posts covered in snow. Stunning white tables all set with sequins and little trees adorned with jewels. Giant snowflakes and drapes hanging from the ceiling and so many twinkly, sparkly lights that you couldn’t help but gasp with joy.
It was cold outside and the guests were whisked into the Pavilion Barn for canapes and drinks. That too had a huge Christmas tree and lot’s of matching decor. After some mingling, hugging and hand shaking we managed to sneak the couple off for a few shot’s around the grounds where they had a little practice of their First Dance – we had no idea (more later)!!
The food was , as expected, delicious and served hot and in apt style by the team at Hardings. Then time for some of the best speeches that we have heard and so many tears that we , just maybe, had to join in with a few of our own (hidden behind the cameras we can just about get away with a wet nose).
Darkness fell and we took photos of guests around the Christmas tree in the Pavillion Barn before heading in to see the main Barn transformed into a stunning evening setting with a lit up dance floor, coloured lighting and a huge stage ready to host one of our favourite bands and DJ’s. Guests were ushered through and you could almost cut the excitement with a knife as their eyes saw the room for the first time and echoed with gasps of amazement.
Time to cut the cake. Not just any old cake but a huge 7 tiered cake adorned with sparkles, twinkly lights and topped with a large star – how it stayed upright we have no idea. The DJ fired up the couples chosen song, the ballad from Beauty and the Beast, and Ellie and Mike danced and danced and lifted and twirled and curtsied and danced to the amazement and admiration of the whole room – for this was choreographed and practiced and put together with such detail that it could be televised for sure! Confetti canons fired, the music cranked up and they danced even more as the crowd clapped and cheered. The band introduced themselves as Murdochs Crazy Eyes and shouted out ‘best First Dance – EVER!!!!’ to which we all clapped, nodded our heads and cheered in unison.
The Murdochs started their set which, as always, was awesome and nearly everyone was on the dance floor – fired up by the lead singers stage presence along with the on point instrumentals including a drummer that was one of our previous Grooms (see Emma and Georges wedding) – what a lovely surprise.
We waited until the band finished their first set and then had another surprise for the guests – hundreds of sparklers were handed out and we arranged a sparkler tunnel for the couple to walk through. Sparklers always go down well, especially when the couple dance and kiss and spin amongst them (health and safety was of course monitored closely).
Finally the guests went back inside to dance some more, chat around the bar and play on the Magic Mirror and we said our farewells and slipped away into the cold night air, exhausted but very, very happy.
Full list of suppliers at the bottom of the page
With thanks to the following for all of their hard work in making Ellie and Mikes day perfect:
Photography: Zest Photography –
Virtual Tour: A360VR.co.uk – see this here
Venue: Field Place
Venue dressing: Hire Your Day
Catering: Hardings
Videography: Kitebox – see this here
Hair: Lucia
Makeup: Kimberley Louise
Flowers: Flowers 4
Disco: Disco Fever
Harpist: Cecilia
Band: Murdochs Crazy Eyes
