Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - March/April 2023 (Issue 97)

Marauder’s Map. Guests loved the hot chocolate station, made to look like a potions cabinet with jars of ingredients, including wormwood, lavender, ladies’ mantle, dandelion roots, valerian and more. There were also pumpkin marshmallows, sprinkles, syrups and cookies to enjoy. The transport was a white V-Dub named Lillie for the wedding party and a white carriage with two horses for the bride and her dad. The carriage had sunflower details, and people were hanging out of windows waving to the bride as she drove by. LOOKING THE PART Rebecca wanted a classic and romantic fairytale ball gown with sparkle for her special day and opted for a special edition dress by Nicole Spose that was handmade in Milan. After trying on more than 40 dresses, the bride had almost given up when by chance, she found the perfect dress while shopping with her sister. Red ruby slippers, a chapel-length veil with Swarovski crystals and a tiara finished the princess look off perfectly. Rebecca says, “I remember seeing myself on the big day and feeling emotional. I never believed anyone could make me look so beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see what Michael thought.” The groom wore a traditional top hat, a black tailcoat suit, an ivory waistcoat, a ruche tie and red socks to matched the bride’s shoes. The groomsmen wore burnt orange ruche ties to allow Michael to stand out. The bridesmaids wore romantic dresses with lace straps and keyhole backs, which complemented Rebecca’s dress perfectly. The flowergirl wore a beautiful velvet dress with a burnt orange tulle skirt. TIME TO CELEBRATE A string quartet played as guests arrived for the ceremony. The team composed a list of the couple’s favourite Harry Potter music, which added a romantic atmosphere to the day. During the vows, a barn owl named Billie was the ring bearer and surprised all the guests. Everyone loved being able to hold him after the vows. The bride’s dad built a set of hoops, and the guests played quidditch on broomsticks during the drinks reception for some added fun. The bride says, “The game was a great idea because it gave loved ones something to watch and participate in while photos took place. Some guests got quite competitive, and some photos look like they are flying!” Later in the evening, a ukulele band and a DJ kept everyone on the dancefloor. The last song they played was Reach by S Club 7, and it brought the roof down! MEMORABLE MOMENTS The bride woke up very emotional on the big day. She says, “I had been planning this day for 30 years, and a part of me believed it would never happen due to Covid. I had the best people around me and felt the happiest I’ve ever felt!” She was full of emotions when walking down the aisle with her dad, and it’s a moment she will always treasure. Michael woke up nervous but very excited. He says, “I knew the day would be perfect because I was marrying my best friend, so I had nothing to worry about. Rebecca wrote me a beautiful note to open before I started to get ready.” He adds, “To see all our friends and family together to celebrate us was so beautiful – I wouldn’t change a thing from our special day!” Watching the horse and carriage pull up outside her house was a fairytale moment for the bride, something she had dreamed of since a little girl. She says, “This was the moment it all became real, and I realised I’d achieved everything the four-year-old me wanted for all those years – a perfect wedding.” A funny moment during the wedding breakfast was when the best man Andy ran into the Great Hall screaming the ‘Troll in the dungeon; there’s a troll in the dungeon - thought you ought to know’ line from 30

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