Weather! It’s one of the most popular concerns a couple can have when planning their wedding day. That wasn’t the case for Rachel and Richard, however: they actually booked their nuptials for February in order to ensure the balmiest climes for their Dubai-Maldives honeymoon.
However, the couple lucked out: their gorgeous celebration took place in 13 degrees sunshine, allowing them and their guests to enjoy an outdoor drinks reception. In February!
Read on to get inspired by their beautiful wedding, which featured all sorts of gorgeous personal details: a naked cake made by the bridal party, for example, and favours that were chosen simply because the bride loves them (Lindt bunnies, FYI).
It’s all stunning, of course, but special mention must also go to that floral-framed table plan, the dainty pew-ends and all the sparkle for the evening reception, which included a sparkler display and a marquee aglow with fairylights…
With images by M and G Photographic.
Proposal
Rachel says
: We got engaged on our eight-year anniversary, while we were on a three-week holiday travelling around Bali and Singapore. Richard proposed at sunrise on the top of Mount Batur.Setting
We got married on February 16th – we thought we would sacrifice the wedding day weather so we could have the best weather for our honeymoon in the Maldives. Our wedding day turned out to be 13 degrees and sunny!
We held our ceremony and reception at the Woodlands Hotel in Leeds – it’s a beautiful venue that’s close to home.
We’d definitely recommend the venue: the day ran so smoothly and it’s such a great setting, with the most beautiful rooms for those who wish to stay. The staff are so accommodating and helpful – and the food is amazing, too!
Theme
We opted for a colour scheme of pink and gold.
Dress
I wore a fishtail dress by Anna Sorrano that I purchased from Wed2B.
Groomswear
Richard wore a blue three-piece suit with a tweed waistcoat, all from Moss Bros. The groomsmen wore the same.
Bridesmaids
All six of my bridesmaids (who were aged between nine and 40!) wore the same pink Grecian-style maxi dress from TFNC – needless to say, there were several alterations that needed making…
Beauty
My make-up artist was Enya Doherty and Katie Thompson from Mon Amour Hairdressing styled my hair.
Photography
Our photographer was M and G Photographic, who we would 100% recommend if you want the most beautiful images and a laidback approach on the day!
Styling
I carried a hand-tied bridal bouquet: it had a ‘loose’ look, with a mixture of soft pinks and whites with Lovelace Roses. My bridesmaids held bunches of Gypsophila, which we also used to decorate the venue.
River and Rose provided all of our flowers.
Favours
Our wedding favours were Lindt chocolate bunnies – they’re my favourite, even though it wasn’t Easter!
Cake
My sister and Maid of Honour made our amazing ‘naked’ wedding cake.
Catering
We opted for dishes we knew everyone would love! We had mushrooms in a garlic-and-oyster sauce for the starter, roast chicken or pork belly for the main and cheesecake for dessert.
Entertainment
We had a saxophonist, Tony Daniels, play as our guests arrived right up until the wedding breakfast. For the evening reception, we had a DJ!
Best bit
Other than saying our vows, it would have to be the drinks reception. Looking at the pictures, you would think it was a summer’s day!
Honeymoon
We went to Dubai for four nights followed by the Maldives for 10 nights; we stayed in a water villa and even managed to watch the celebrity wedding of Billie Faiers that took place opposite our room on the sandbank!
Advice
Don’t worry about the smaller details – they always take care of themselves!
