RESILIENCE Love and Libby and Danny’s wedding day was an intimate and deeply personal occasion shared with just 10 of their nearest and dearest Images courtesy of Nicole Wilcox Photography Libby and Danny first encountered each other on social media where Danny messaged to ask her out. She completely ignored him! A few weeks later, as though fate had something to say about that, the two matched on a dating app and his opening message was simply: “You again!” This time, Libby agreed to a date, and the rest is history. “It’s funny to think how close we came to never meeting properly, but everything fell into place exactly as it was meant to,” Libby says. Danny proposed in a stunning cliffside restaurant in Menorca at sunset. “It was intimate, magical and exactly what I’d dreamed of,” Libby shares. Danny had designed the ring himself, and it was lovingly crafted by Libby’s godfather, who is a jeweller, making it even more personal. The couple’s original plan was to marry in Sorrento, but when Libby’s dad was diagnosed with leukaemia for the second time, everything changed. The wedding was put on hold as the family focused on his treatment. In February 2025, Libby’s mum discovered Kirkby Fleetham Hall on social media – “The intimate, breathtaking venue felt instantly right,” Libby remembers. After consulting her father’s medical team, who kindly allowed him a short pause in treatment, the couple quietly booked the venue and invited just 10 of their closest friends and family members. With only five months to plan, Libby’s mum took the reins, organising everything from flowers and table décor to designing the bride’s bespoke wedding dress and daughter Emelia’s bridesmaid gown. She chose a colour palette of soft apricot tones that complemented the house and grounds. Every detail was infused with love and creativity, making the day both beautiful and deeply personal. With only a few months to find a dress, most boutiques told Libby they couldn’t help, but she knew exactly what she wanted and Bridesmaid by JB created a bespoke gown for her. “The result was flawless,” she shares. “It fit beautifully, reflected my vision, and made me feel confident and radiant.” Danny, meanwhile, looked effortlessly stylish in a sleek Hugo Boss suit, in keeping with the elegant, intimate feel of the day. Emelia looked gorgeous in her Aperol Spritz-shade dress – a subtle nod to the couple’s original Italian plans. With the wedding taking place on a hot July day, it was the perfect opportunity to enjoy Pimm’s on the lawn post-ceremony, along with delicious canapés, as well as Libby’s favourite rosé, Whispering Angel, which complemented the table styling wonderfully. The wedding breakfast starter was Provencal roast vegetable bruschetta with mozzarella, pancetta and rocket mayonnaise. This was followed by a main course of rosemary roast rump of lamb or fillet of sea bass stuffed with fresh garden herbs and lemon. Dessert was a raspberry bavarois with gingerbread ice cream, lemon curd and gingerbread crumb – the perfect sweet ending to their first meal together as husband and wife. Emma, the couple’s violinist, added a magical atmosphere to the day. “With just 12 of us, we didn’t need any extra entertainment; the setting, the music, and simply being together created an intimate, relaxed and joyful experience,” Libby tells us. The vision for their three-day wedding retreat was ultimately about love and resilience, focused not on grandeur but on togetherness. “What began as a very different dream became something far more meaningful: an intimate gathering filled with warmth, gratitude and precious time together,” Libby concludes. REAL WEDDINGS 19
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=