A love that Chloe and James’ timeless October wedding at The Tithe Barn was filled with thoughtful details and classic black-and-white styling Images courtesy of Lovingly Lydia Photography These lovebirds met on Hinge, which is quite a funny story! Chloe missed the match and went on another date… and so did James. Chloe was just about to delete the app when she came across his profile and decided to message him. From that moment, they built a bond that grew stronger each day before the couple became engaged in Santorini on the hottest day of the year, at a scorching 40 degrees! Chloe says, “I had no idea it was coming. James had carried the ring box in his pocket all day with a pair of socks wrapped around it!” It was a no-brainer for the bride-to-be, and the couple soon moved on to planning their perfect October celebration. The Tithe Barn provided a dream-worthy setting for the big day, with a large openplan space that blended historic charm with modern flexibility. This allowed the couple to style the venue in a way that complemented the exposed brickwork beautifully. For a timeless and simple look, a black-and-white colour scheme was chosen, a style that would never go out of fashion. To emphasise this, simple florals including gypsophila and white roses were used throughout the day. including the bride’s gorgeous bouquet filled with blooms and the bridesmaids’ floral hoops. For the wedding breakfast, the centrepiece flowers continued the theme, with black styling used to stand out against the hurricane glasses, gold charger plates and signage. There were many fun and personalised touches, including port as wedding favours (a nod to James being in the Navy), fun fact napkins and wedding newspapers to add the wow factor. Drinks on the day featured two of the couple’s favourites: Aperol spritz with lemonade as well as rum and Coke. To keep guests well fed, the couple worked with the caterers to plan the perfect menu. Four appetisers were served to start: mini onion bhajis, lamb koftas, Yorkshire pudding with beef (a nod to James being from Yorkshire), and mini sausages. For the main course, guests were served big sharing pans of spicy garlic chicken, alongside a separate mild chicken curry with rice, naan and poppadums. Alternatively, guests could opt for a beef stew with mash and crusty bread. All the food was glutenfree. Dessert was served in jam jars, with a selection of caramel cheesecake, Eton Mess and chocolate brownie. In the evening, stone-baked pizzas went down a treat! The bride wore an Essence of Australia gown, style #D4110, a floor-length dress with a scoop neckline flowing into a ballgown silhouette. The off-the-shoulder straps and Mikado fabric added an elegant touch. “I tried on 20-plus dresses, but this was the one. I felt like a princess, and a big bonus was that it had pockets,” says Chloe. “As a child, I always dreamed of having a black wedding dress, but I’m so glad I chose white and had my bridesmaids in black floor-length dresses instead.” The groom wore his Royal Navy petty officer uniform, while the groomsmen wore black tuxedos hired from Moss during the day. In the evening, they changed into their Royal Navy petty officer uniforms too. During the drinks reception, a magician wowed guests with his tricks, while a saxophonist added an emotional layer to the celebrations. After food and speeches, it was time to party, with plenty of dancing and fun in the photo booth. “Our first dance was a moment we’ll never forget,” says Chloe. “James learned all the words to Forever You and Me by The Teskey Brothers, which was a surprise — he’s not usually soppy like that!” There were plenty of standout moments on the day. “My aunt and uncle were 15 minutes late because they went to the wrong venue!” Chloe says. “They arrived very early at a different Tithe Barn and thought it was strange that no one was wearing black. They’d gone to the one in Guildford instead of Petersfield!” There were also plenty of humorous moments, including when the groomsmen joked that they had lost the rings. At a friend’s wedding, the person in charge of the rings had actually left them in another trouser pocket and had to run off mid-ceremony to retrieve them! From a missed Hinge match to a sun-soaked Santorini proposal, Chloe and James’ story proves that the best things find you just in time. Their wedding day was a perfect reflection of that journey. Full of love, laughter and unforgettable moments. found its way REAL WEDDINGS 33
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