driftwood tree on it with a fishing net that was threaded with fairylights and decorated with paper parrots,” Felicity says. “The aisle was flanked by white petals, glass vases painted blue with scallop shells attached and driftwood logs (collected by us), both with artificial candles in. The driftwood frame on the gift table was also made by Henry as a mini version of the seating plan.” Felicity and Henry’s guests were given a Luna Colada cocktail as their welcome drink along with canapés. “The wedding breakfast was afternoon tea, the drink to toast was white sangria and our guests were treated to a selection of Cornish pasties for the evening catering,” Felicity says. “The afternoon tea included a slice of wedding cake which we cut on entering the room before we had the speeches. It was a three-tier pineapple and coconut sponge cake with passionfruit; mango curd and buttercream, decorated in plain white icing with artificial tropical flowers to match those in my bouquet.” LOOKING THE PART Felicity wore a strapless fishtail gown with a sweetheart neckline by Mori Lee. “Henry and I had both worked hard to lose weight and get fit in the run-up to our wedding so I knew that I wanted a fitted style to show off my figure,” she tells us. “Originally, I wasn’t keen on having a lace dress or any sleeves, but Lauren at Abella Bridal Boutique in Plymouth where I purchased the dress from suggested my chosen style as one to try on. I asked her if we could style it with the sleeves tucked in and as soon as I saw it without them, I got emotional as I told my maid-of-honour and my mum that I’d found my dress! I wore it with a floral-edged veil, again that Lauren suggested, with a pair of pale blue stilettos, silver drop orchid earrings and white orchid hair pins.” Henry wore a white shirt and powder-blue suit. “He chose a bespoke silk waistcoat instead of having the original matching waistcoat to the suit along with an ivory floral tie,” Felicity says. “Our groomsmen had the same suits as Henrys with blue waistcoats and ties. My father wore the same but with a floral tie and they all wore a pair of tan shoes. “Henry’s buttonhole included a purple orchid and white calla lily, whereas the groomsmen just had the white calla lily.” The couple’s bridesmaids wore chiffon, empire-line dresses in pale blue with embellished mesh detailing at the top and a matching pale blue chiffon shawl. “They were each given a starfish hairpin for their half-up, half-down hairstyles and carried a smaller round version of my bouquet,” Felicity says. The couple’s two miniature dachshunds were walked down the aisle by their maid-of-honour. “My mum had made the dogs their own little bridesmaids’ dresses which were white satin on the top half with a white chiffon skirt and a pale blue organza ribbon and bow around the middle,” Felicity says. “She also made them a matching white ribbon lead each decorated with blue bows.” TIME TO CELEBRATE Felicity and Henry had a steel band playing for their guests during the wedding breakfast which they had kept as a surprise for everyone - even Felicity’s parents who helped organise and pay for the wedding. “They were a fantastic addition and brought the tropical theme to life,” Felicity says. “We also hired a magic mirror which our guests had great fun with, dressing up and using the props and taking photos to go in the photo guestbook that the company provided. The team from West Country Photobooths where we hired it from were very friendly and helpful which encouraged people to relax and enjoy it.” REAL WEDDINGS 41
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