BE WITH YOU May the love Eucalyptus, Star Wars, and Stilton the cat: a truly personal celebration for Benjamin and Katharine Ruddy at Alpheton Hall Barns Images courtesy of Joshua Anstey Kat and Ben’s story began through mutual friends at a karaoke night. Although their pals were eager to set them up, it took weeks before the pair finally spoke to each other. One year after they got together, Ben planned a proposal that was both romantic and unexpected - back at the very same karaoke venue where they first crossed paths. On stage, he invited Kat to sing a duet of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” with him. Unbeknownst to Ben, Kat didn’t know the song and wasn’t particularly a fan but that didn’t stop him from popping the question. Of course, Kat said, yes! Kat and Ben knew they wanted a barn wedding. Having visited a few venues, the pair clicked most with Nic and Carol at Alpheton Hall Barns. The venue offered a lot of scope for personalisation, and it was clear they thought carefully about small touches and little details that helped bring the day together. This was perfect for Kat and Ben as the date was set for 4th May 2025, also known as Star Wars Day. To honour the date, they hid miniature Star Wars spaceship models around the venue for guests to discover! SETTING THE SCENE The venue was transformed into a botanical haven. Large wooden hoops hung from the ceiling, each one wrapped in generous garlands of eucalyptus and foliage. This theme carried throughout the space, echoed in the stationery, which featured hand-drawn eucalyptus illustrations, and in the sage-green napkins that sat at each place setting. Centrepieces were vases filled with roses, peonies, and ranunculi in delicate shades of ivory, blush pink, peach, and pale mauve, all arranged atop wooden boards. Soft taper candles (LED to maintain safety without sacrificing ambiance) added a warm, intimate glow. The top table showcased a striking floral arrangement, serving as a lush focal point for the room. In a nod to Ben’s passion as a mixologist, each table was named after a cocktail, complete with charming illustrations of the drinks themselves. Personal touches were woven into every corner: polaroids documenting the couple’s journey together adorned the walls, alongside adorable photographs of their beloved cat, Stilton. Even the cake paid tribute to him, a tower of cheese wheels decorated with flowers and topped with a handcrafted sugar model of Stilton, delighting guests. TIME TO CELEBRATE After the ceremony, Kat and Ben stole a few precious minutes together to share a quiet glass of bubbles while guests gathered outside with confetti. This brief moment of calm quickly became one of their favourite memories, just the two of them taking in the joy of what had just happened. Their private photoshoot with the photographer followed soon after, giving them space to savour the moment and resulting in some of the most stunning photographs of the entire day. After an incredible three course meal, the party really got started – including Kat leading a conga line to The Vengabus! Their story wouldn’t be complete without a nod to where it all began – and yes, the guests all got up to perform karaoke. MEMORABLE MOMENTS Ben recalls, “One of the most iconic was during the father-ofthe-bride’s speech, when he surprised everyone by donning a Darth Vader mask and delivering the now-legendary line: ‘Ben, I am your father-in-law’.” The room erupted in laughter, marking it as one of the standout highlights of the evening. REAL WEDDINGS 45
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